The Shepherd School of Music

"The next generation of classical music doesn’t wait in the wings at Rice University’s Shepherd School of Music. It walks onto the stage, often with a world premiere in hand, and slaps listeners with music so energetically performed that they might need a glass of wine or a Xanax to come down from the thrill.

Fresh off its milestone 50th anniversary, the Shepherd School’s 2026–27 season doubles down on discovery. The lineup includes six world premieres, the Texas premiere of Matthew Aucoin and Sarah Ruhl’s opera Eurydice, celebrated guest artists, and a steady reminder that Houston audiences can hear rising talent before the rest of the world catches on."

Read the full CultureMap preview for an exciting look at our upcoming season!

Shepherd School builds on 50 years with a 2026-27 season of discovery The next generation of classical music doesn’t wait in the wings at Rice University’s Shepherd School of Music.

A three-week language immersion in Florence provided Shepherd’s second-year master’s voice students with an unforgettable educational experience, generously made possible by the Margaret C. Pack Language Institute for Singers.

Current graduate student Jessica Lyublinsky shared about the impact of the trip:

“Italian is not only the quintessential operatic language but has also been a fundamental part of my artistic training from the very start of my vocal journey. I remember being a teenager singing Italian songs and arias, not realizing that those would pave the way to my love for Verdi, Puccini, Rossini and the great and timeless opera composers we love today.

Listening to Italian spoken on the streets, in cafés, and in our classrooms often felt like listening to music itself, with vowels flowing seamlessly into one another in a way that no textbook can fully capture. Listening to the language reaffirmed why we create music: opera is an extension of the world we live in, the emotions we feel and the conversations we have in real life. What we heard was the legato of the language, the legato that so easily becomes music. We didn’t just study this language. We became part of it.

My favourite memories have to be walking up to the Ponte Vecchio, alongside the Arno river with my friends, as well as visiting the Uffizi Museum. I'm a huge history buff so spending 5 hours in that museum was time well spent. And walking through the Ponte Vecchio felt like walking through history - also realizing that by engaging in an artform like opera, we are part of that history, as well.

I also loved sharing my mornings with my best friends in this program, having our daily coffee breaks between classes and generally experiencing the vibe of Florence. We are so lucky to be students at The Shepherd School of Music!”

Thank you, CultureMap, for previewing our 26/27 season! We are so excited for another year of extraordinary music-making from our students, faculty, and guest artists.

🔗 Read the full preview: https://bit.ly/3S02t18

We are thrilled to unveil the Shepherd School’s 2026/27 season, with 400+ performances that put our extraordinary students and faculty on full display ✨

∙ 10 symphony and orchestra concerts of masterworks by Mahler, Beethoven, Tchaikovsky, Beach, Berlioz, and more. Led by Director of Orchestras Miguel Harth-Bedoya and featuring faculty soloists Erin Hannigan (oboe) & Jon Kimura Parker (piano), plus distinguished guest artists mezzo-soprano Sasha Cooke ('04) & conductor Michelle Di Russo

∙ In Brockman Hall for Opera, programmed by Director of Opera Studies Joshua Winograde: Strauss’s "Ariadne auf Naxos," Matthew Aucoin’s "Eurydice," Bel Canto Opera Scenes, and a special collaborative recital with soprano Julia Bullock

∙ Six world premieres, including Shepherd School commissions by Jeremy Gill and professor Pierre Jalbert

∙ Intimate faculty and "Sharing the Spotlight" recitals, chamber music festivals, family-friendly performances, and so much more!

🔗 Explore the full calendar online: music.rice.edu/events Fall orchestra concerts go on sale on Friday, August 21.

We're excited to embrace our university roots this season with a return to the iconic Rice Blue 💙🦉

ALUMNI NEWS | We are delighted to celebrate major wins from Professor of Voice Nova Thomas’s studio! 🏆

In addition to earning 1st place at Opera Columbus's Cooper-Bing Vocal Competition ($10,000 prize), Tessa McQueen ('24) was a double-prize winner at the Jensen Foundation Vocal Competition, securing both the First Place Grant ($15,000) and the Facing Forward Grant for a 21st-Century Aria ($5,000).

The winning streak continued at the Loren L. Zachary National Vocal Competition, with Daniela Machado ('24) winning 1st place ($15,000) and Anna Thompson ('25) earning 5th place.

Congratulations to these spectacular sopranos! 🦉👏

We couldn't be prouder of our alumni's recent faculty appointments! ✨

Watching our graduates succeed in the music world is incredibly rewarding—but seeing them lead and inspire the NEXT generation of musicians, just as they were taught at the Shepherd School, is truly special.

Huge congratulations to our alumni! We can't wait to see the incredible impact they will have across North America.

This spring, we celebrate the legacies of two distinguished faculty members who are retiring after decades of transformative mentorship. We are deeply grateful for their dedication.

Ivo-Jan van der Werff, Professor of Viola, retires after 19 years of distinguished teaching at the Shepherd School. Since joining the faculty in 2007, Ivo has been a cornerstone of our string department, a devoted teacher known as much for his steadfast dedication as his infectious humor. He brought to Rice the world-class expertise of a 30-year career with the Medici String Quartet and a prolific recording history spanning the complete Beethoven string quartet cycle to the Harry Potter and Lord of the Rings soundtracks. Beyond his global reputation as a chamber player, recitalist, and guest artist, his brilliance as a pedagogue is reflected in the success of his students, who now occupy chairs in many of the world’s most prestigious orchestras.

Janet Rarick, Associate Professor of Music Career Development, retires after a remarkable 33-year tenure at Shepherd. Since joining us in 1992, Janet has been at the heart of our professional development programs. Formerly the Principal Oboist of the Texas Chamber Orchestra and a core member of the Houston Ballet and Houston Grand Opera Orchestras for over 20 years, Janet brought a wealth of professional experience to her many roles at Shepherd, including directing JUMP! (Just For U Music Program) and her specialized work teaching Alexander Technique. A deeply supportive mentor, her commitment to nurturing the "whole musician" has ensured that our graduates enter the professional world with both skill and confidence.