Butler School of Music

Congratulations to Assistant Professor of Voice Liliana Verónica Guerrero, who has been named one of three finalists for the national Barbara Hill Moore Emerging Teaching Artist Award.
https://music.utexas.edu/news/butler-school-musics-liliana-guerrero-earns-spot-among-nations-top-teaching-artists

When Stephen Sondheim passed away in 2021, fans around the world began sharing the personal letters they had received from the legendary composer. For Butler School of Music alumnus Nicholas Rodriguez, those letters revealed a side of Sondheim that few people knew and inspired a new theatrical production, Sincerely, Sondheim. As the Austin native returned home to perform at the Zach Theatre, he reflected on the mentors who shaped his career, his time at the Butler School of Music, and the enduring impact of one of musical theater's greatest artists.

https://music.utexas.edu/news/butler-school-music-alumnus-nicholas-rodriguez-finds-new-side-sondheim

The Butler School of Music is pleased to announce that acclaimed pianist Anna Petrova will join our faculty this fall.

Her journey has taken her from Bulgaria to Manhattan and onward to concert halls and classrooms around the world. An internationally recognized performer, educator, and arts leader, Petrova has shared her artistry with audiences across the globe, and we are excited that she has chosen to call the Butler School of Music and Austin home.

Full Story
https://music.utexas.edu/news/pianist-anna-petrova-joins-butler-school-music-faculty

A week ago, the Butler School of Music welcomed piano technicians from across the country to Austin for an intensive workshop on piano restoration. Participants had the rare opportunity to learn from some of the world's leading piano technicians, gaining hands-on experience and insights into the art and craft of bringing historic instruments back to life.

https://music.utexas.edu/news/piano-technicians-take-spotlight-workshop

Congratulations to Justin West, Associate Professor of Music and Human Learning, who has been named the recipient of the 2026 Butler School Teaching Excellence Award.

His ability to bring real-life scenarios and practical experiences into the classroom, combined with his old-school, somewhat anti-technology approach to teaching, has earned him this year's award. West believes that a good choir director needs only one piece of technology, a piano.

Full Story
https://music.utexas.edu/news/justin-west-receives-2026-butler-school-music-teaching-excellence-award

Congratulations to Patti Wolf for being one of two winners of this year’s 2026 Butler School of Music Teaching Award. She has taken what is, for most students, one of the most dreaded concepts in music school and turned it into a passion, so much so that she is now overwhelmed with students requesting independent studies to do more. Full Story https://music.utexas.edu/news/patti-wolf-receives-2026-butler-school-music-teaching-award

Only one month left to apply for the 2026 Butler Opera International Competition! Sing for our world-class panel of judges and compete for the more than $35,000 in prizes that will be awarded. https://music.utexas.edu/news/whos-who-opera-comes-austin-2026-butler-opera-international-competition

Congratulations to the String Project on Your New Partnership in Alaska

https://music.utexas.edu/news/butler-string-project-heads-last-frontier

Butler School of Music alumnus Jeffrey Jones-Ragona returned to campus to share how he built a career in comic opera, speaking with students about life after graduation, conducting, and leading productions as music director of Gilbert and Sullivan Austin. During the visit, students heard musical demonstrations, asked questions about the profession, and learned how Butler alumni continue to shape Austin’s vibrant performing arts scene.

https://music.utexas.edu/news/butler-comic-opera-alumnus-returns-inspire-students

In this week’s podcast episode, we talk to Chris Prosser about Austin’s biggest indie-classical music festival, Here Be Monsters. Find out just how many acts will be performing and the staggering number of Butler students and alumni who make up this year’s lineup.”

Podcast Episode: Here Be Monsters 2026 In this episode, we talk to Butler’s Lecturer in Theory, Christopher Prosser, about Austin’s indie-classical music festival, Here Be Monsters. Chris discusse...