News Stories

We go behind the scenes to see how the Butler Opera Center's resident designer, Aaron Kubacak, creates costumes for shows. Working closely with the show's director, he begins with research and drawings, then brings them to life. Kubacak is a UT Austin alumnus having earned his master's degree in costume design from the Department of Theatre and Dance within the College of Fine Arts.

University of Texas at Austin PTF Emeritus Fellow Martha Hilley, who taught group piano and pedagogy at the Butler School for 36 years, was recently inducted into the Steinway & Sons Teacher Hall of Fame. 

The Butler School of Music proudly announces one of our very own was selected for a 2021 Regents’ Outstanding Teaching Award. Professor of Trombone Nathaniel Brickens is one of 27 winners, and will receive an award of $25,000 for his outstanding performance. 

Associate Professor of Practice in Violin Sandy Yamamoto said collaborations with professors was very meaningful to her as a student. That's why she created the Sandy Yamamoto & Friends concert, which gives Butler School students the opportunity to perform with her, John Largess and Joshua Gindele from Miró Quartet. The rehearsal schedule is short and rigorous, mirroring that of many professional groups. But Yamamoto said the ultimate goal is to learn from one another and, most importantly, have fun! 

The group has been chosen to perform at the 2021 festival 

The Butler School of Music’s Longhorn Music Camp will be placed on hiatus for the summer of 2022. This decision was difficult, and not made without careful thought and deliberation; but like many other summer camp programs, we are faced with a complex series of logistical and financial complexities that have been exacerbated by the pandemic.

The Butler School warmly welcomes our newest Lecturer in Percussion Ivan Trevino, a Mexican-American composer, percussionist, writer and arts advocate. 

"Celebrating lifetime achievements for his work, associate professor Drott of the Sarah and Ernest Butler School of Music won the 2020 Dent Medal, a Royal Music Association award recognizing “outstanding contributions to musicology.” Last week, Drott traveled to the U.K. to receive his acknowledgement and deliver a presentation on his recent music research." 

Ivan Valbuena received his Doctorate from the Butler School in 2018.