The Shepherd School of Music

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.

ALUMNI NEWS | Congratulations to Caroline Shaw ('04) who was honored with the prestigious Distinguished Alumni Award at Rice University's 2026 Laureates Awards Dinner! 🏆

In 2013, at just 30, Shaw became the youngest recipient of the Pulitzer Prize for Music for her groundbreaking work "Partita." Now a five-time GRAMMY winner, she is one of the most celebrated and commissioned composers of her generation. Most recently, she earned a Tony Award nomination for Best Original Score for Arthur Miller's "Death of a Salesman" on Broadway and just released her new collaborative album "Or, The Whale" on May 15.

Caroline Shaw graduated with a Bachelor of Music in violin performance, studying with Dorothy Richard Starling Chair in Classical Violin Kathleen Winkler.

We are so proud to celebrate her extraordinary, ongoing achievements!

A weekend to remember for the students we’ll never forget. Huge congrats to the Class of 2026! 🎓 👏

That "just graduated" glow 🥹🌟 Congratulations to our newest grads!

We are thrilled to share this wonderful feature from the Houston Chronicle reflecting on Miguel Harth-Bedoya's first year as Distinguished Resident Director of Orchestras at the Shepherd School!

From his incredible tenure with the Fort Worth Symphony to his new home here at Rice University, Miguel is shaping the next generation of musicians with passion and precision. Learn more about his journey "behind the podium" and his vision for the future.

Read the full story: https://bit.ly/4eBRLHy

Congratulations to our Shepherd alumni and students on these amazing recent orchestra appointments 👏🎶

Alumni, got good news? Share it with us: https://bit.ly/3D25gzh

“Twenty years ago, a conservatory orchestra couldn’t have performed this piece," remarked composer John Adams during his recent visit to Rice's campus.

Through our partnership with the Houston Symphony, Adams joined the Shepherd School Symphony Orchestra to rehearse his iconic “Short Ride in a Fast Machine," praising the ensemble for sounding “very tight, very controlled."

During the Q&A, one composition student’s question about the creative process drew one of the afternoon’s most vivid answers. Adams likened composing to gardening.

“Once you have an idea, you water it, fertilize it, clip it,” Adams said. “When I see a piece that doesn’t work, I notice the gardener didn’t do a good job.”

Such an inspiring visit all-around! Read the full recap: https://bit.ly/4tpfXAD

Huge news! A massive congratulations to Gabriela Lena Frank ('94, '96) for winning the 2026 Pulitzer Prize in Music for "Picaflor: A Future Myth."

It’s been an incredible run for the Shepherd School alumna, who was also recently named Musical America's 2026 Composer of the Year. Talk about an unforgettable year! 👏

Frank studied with Samuel Jones, earning both her bachelor's and master's at Rice. “I cannot even qualify how important those six years were," said Frank in an interview with the Rice Thresher.

The excitement only continues—on May 14, her opera "El Último Sueño de Frida y Diego" will have its Metropolitan Opera debut!

Learn more: https://bit.ly/4wgJzms

All smiles at our end of year picnic. Congrats to all on a wonderful 25/26 school year! ☀️ 🥳