Participants will reflect with and learn from Pepperdine's renowned faculty and professional mentors in Voice, Musical Theatre, Classical Strings, Piano, and Classical Guitar. Through masterclasses, private lessons, and ensemble rehearsals, young artists will hone their technical skills and artistry. Beyond the studio, the cohort will explore what it means to have a vocation in the arts.
Sea Change will also offer participants opportunities to explore the beautiful surroundings of Malibu, CA, including the beach, mountain trails, and the resort-style amenities of Pepperdine's campus, such as our Olympic-size pool.
All teaching and directing staff are faculty members in the Fine Arts Division at Pepperdine University.
N. Lincoln Hanks (Director) is a composer, singer, and conductor who specializes in new music and early music. His works have been performed by the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra and many others. His epic solo piano work, Monstre sacré, was recently featured on a CD under Philip Glass' prestigious Orange Mountain Music label. He conducts the Pickford Ensemble, Pepperdine's premiere new music group, and has been honored with awards from ASCAP and the Lilly Fellows Program.
Kelly Todd (Musical Theatre) directs and choreographs for the Pepperdine stage. She is an Ovation Award winner for Best Choreography and has extensive experience in musical theatre education. Recognized for her excellence in the field, she was named Southern California Choreographer of the Year by Stage Scene LA for three consecutive years. Her recent directing credits on the Smothers Stage include acclaimed productions of Curtains, Ragtime, and Big Fish.
Liliana Natalie Buickians (Voice) is an accomplished soprano with extensive opera credits, including roles in Les Contes d'Hoffmann and The Magic Flute, and is a dedicated instructor of vocal technique. An avid recitalist, she has performed numerous times in the Bach Cantata Series and with the Eastman Collegium under the baton of Paul O'Dette. She holds a doctoral degree from the Eastman School of Music and frequently performs as a soloist in cantata series and collegium ensembles.
Beau Benson (Strings) serves as Orchestra Conductor and leads nationally recognized orchestra programs and guest conducts symphonies across the country. A recipient of the Marjorie Keller Young String Teacher of the Year Award, he has also twice placed in the American Prize competition for Orchestral Conducting. Dr. Benson champions American orchestral music through his scholarly research and critical editions of 19th-century works.
Keith Colclough (Voice) is a bass-baritone praised for his "rich, authoritative" voice who maintains an active career on both the operatic and concert stages. A former Fulbright Scholar to Germany, he has been a soloist with the Los Angeles Philharmonic, Opera Santa Barbara, and the Sacramento Philharmonic. He has held vocal fellowships at prestigious programs including the Tanglewood Music Center and the Music Academy of the West, and he currently directs the Flora Thornton Opera Program at Pepperdine.
Barry Tan (Piano) is an accomplished pianist who has performed at venues such as Carnegie Hall and the Salzburg Mozarteum. A winner of the Concert Artists International Competition, he has been praised by the Boston Globe for his "mesmerizing performance". His debut album, Solo Piano Works by Ernest Chausson, was recently released to critical acclaim on major streaming platforms.
Wesley Park (Guitar) is a concert classical guitarist, musicologist, and educator from Los Angeles. With his colorful playing and enjoyable programs, he has performed concerts around the United States and internationally. In addition to his performance career, Dr. Park conducts scholarly research on Korean popular music and Baroque era sacred music. He received his doctoral degree from the University of Southern California and studied with Christopher Parkening at Pepperdine University.
Ida Nicolosi (Voice) is recognized for her command of a vast repertoire encompassing opera, oratorio, early music, and musical theatre. She made her Carnegie Hall debut in 2012 singing a world premiere presented by Distinguished Concerts International New York and has performed with the Spoleto Festival USA, Lincoln Center Festival, and the Gotham Chamber Opera. In addition to her extensive performance career, she is a dedicated pedagogue whose students have gone on to prestigious graduate programs and successful careers in both classical and contemporary music.
David Wilkinson (Collaborative Piano) received his training at the Manhattan School of Music and the University of Southern California. He has performed in such notable venues as Carnegie Hall, The Kennedy Center, the White House, Wigmore Hall, and the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion. In addition to his performance career, he has served on the faculties of USC, the Manhattan School of Music, and UC Santa Barbara, bringing a wealth of experience in vocal coaching and chamber music.
Christopher Parkening (Special Artist in Residence) is celebrated as one of the world’s preeminent virtuosos of the classical guitar and has performed at Carnegie Hall and the White House. The Washington Post has cited him as "the leading guitar virtuoso of our day, combining profound musical insight with complete technical mastery of his instrument". At the heart of his dedication to performance and teaching is a deep commitment to mentorship and faith.
