Curriculum Vitae
Education:
Doctorate of Musical Arts – Music Composition. Michigan State University, 2020.
Dissertation: The Audio-Visual Improvisatory System: Utilization of Machine Listening Techniques and Visualized Scores within Guided Improvisation. Dissertation Committee: Dr. Lyn Goeringer, Dr. David Biedenbender, Dr. Cara Stroud, and Dr. Kenneth Prouty.
Master of Fine Arts – Electronic Music and Recorded Media. Mills College, 2012.
Thesis: Continuity of Sound: An Approach to Composition and Performance of Electroacoustic Music. Masters Committee: Chris Brown and Maggi Payne.
Bachelor of Music – Music Composition. Boise State University, 2009.
Studied under J. Wallis Bratt – Composition, Counterpoint, and Form.
Employment and Teaching Experience:
Adjunct Faculty, Wayne State University: Detroit, MI. September 2020 – (present)
Adjunct instructor for MUA 2500: Music Technology. Created lesson plans utilizing computer lab resources. Class content included introduction to notation software, MIDI sequencing, basic music production, and recording techniques using digital audio workstations.
Adjunct Instructor for MUA 2530: Electronic Music Synthesis. Course design to teach the fundamentals of various synthesis techniques via analog and digital methods. Materials used included teaching analog synthesizers such as ARP 2600, Lifeforms SV-1, Korg MS-20 Mini, and more. Digital techniques covered advance MIDI applications, various DAWs techniques, and modular synthesis techniques with VCV Rack.
Adjunct Instructor for MUA 2891: Electronic Music Ensemble. Ensemble course implementing contemporary and improvisational techniques applied to electronic instrumentation. Lesson plans included reading and creating graphics scores, improvisational exercises, and utilizing electronic music techniques for live performance.
Adjunct Instructor for MUA 4020: Theories of Electronic Music. Seminar based class utilizing Max. Various topics covered include interactive music, automated functions, construction of live performative systems, and implementation of Just Intonation. Culminating in course work with student run electronic and electroacoustic performances.
Adjunct Faculty, Alma College: Alma, MI. August 2020 – (present)
Private composition instructor MUS 389: Advanced Composition and MUS 298: Composition. Worked with students varying in compositional focus including contemporary choral & symphonic arranging and composition. In addition to songwriting, recording, and production of contemporary pop music.
Instructor for MUS 214: Music Technology and MUS/NMS 215: Audio Recording Workshop, two seven-week long coures. The subjects of notation software, MIDI sequencing, and basic overview of digital audio workstations were covered within MUS 214. Within MUS 215 subjects covered included the basics of digital audio, recording techniques, microphones, and audio editing.
Instructor for NMS 160: Sound Design a semester long class covering the basics of sound construction through various types of synthesis. Course also includes applications of Digital Audio Workstations, microphones (types and placement), synching audio to video, and basic recording & editing techniques.
Instructor for MUS 180: Introduction to Music Production. A seven-week long course designed for students with little to no musical experience. Subjects covered: MIDI and step sequencing, DAW navigation, beat creation in various genre styles, basic mixing principles, and exporting/uploading finishes audio tracks to streaming services.
Past Teaching and Employment Experience:
Instructor - Fixed Term, Michigan State University: East Lansing, MI. January – May 2023 & 2024.
Instructor for MUS 387: Real Time Performance. An introductory course in Max, primarily for music composition students. Lesson plans included the basics of various waveforms, introductory synthesis techniques, and creation of playable digital instrument culminating in improvisational performances.
Instructor of Music, Interlochen Center for the Arts: Interlochen, MI. July–August, 2019.
A three-week long session with intermediate and High School level students. Intermediate students focused on introductory production techniques and composition using Audacity and Logic Pro X. High School level students were taught introductory techniques of computer music and synthesis utilizing Max.
GATE Summer Camp Co-Instructor, Michigan State University: East Lansing, MI. July 8–12, 2019.
Week long session with Junior High-level students. Along with co-instructor, Charlie Han, presentations included introduction to production and compositional techniques using GarageBand.
Music Technology Graduate Assistant, Michigan State University: East Lansing, MI. August 2017–present.
Provide concert support for visiting artists, faculty, and student concerts. Maintain upkeep and software updates for computers in communal lab and recording studio. Assist students with program troubleshooting, assignments, and recording projects.
Adjunct Faculty, Boise State University: Boise, ID. January 2015–May 2017.
Instructor for MUS 208: Music Technology, an introductory music technology course focusing on notation software, recording/editing audio, and an introduction to computer music programing in SuperCollider.
Instructor for MUS 312: Introduction to Computer Music, an introductory course in computer music techniques such additive, subtractive, and granular synthesis, utilizing Max/MSP. Students composed original works and created interactive interfaces for performance throughout coursework.
Double Bass Instructor, Fiddling Frog String Studio: Boise, ID. October 2015–June 2017.
Organized individualized lessons plans for 2 to 3 students per academic year. Emphasis was placed on proper bow technique, positional relation to instrument and common double bass practices. Nurtured growth in technique, music theory, and reading skills.
Sound Engineer, First Presbyterian Church of Berkley: Berkley, CA. August 2011–June 2012.
Ran mixing board for services, worked with fellow employees for quick setup and strike between services.
Technical Assistant, SongLines Concert Series: Mills College–Oakland, CA. August 2010–May 2012.
Collaborated with artist to achieve desired technical requirements resulting in efficient setup and sound check schedule, including assistance with sound installations. Recorded and edited audio files for both artist and Mills College archives. Provided hospitality and transportation for artist.
Technical Assistant, Center for Contemporary Music: Mills College–Oakland, CA. August 2010–May 2012.
Organized stage setup for the Mills Music Now concert series, included working with incoming artists to achieve desired technical requirements.
Program Archivist, Center for Contemporary Music: Mills College–Oakland, CA. August 2010–May 2012.
Digitally scanned and archived twenty years of programs and promotional materials from past concerts and events.
Musical Composition and Performance, various locations.
Composed and performed original music with multiple bands spanning several genres, also collaborated with other musicians to create healthy and efficient group dynamics. Performed at corporate, private, and educational functions. Oversaw peers in an organized leadership role in serval ensembles.
Compositions and Performances:
The Network – Live Graphic Score for Improvisation: Utilizing networking tools within Max, designated laptop performers construct and animate a graphic score in real time for improvisation. Within the performance, both improvisors and laptop performers create an audio-visually correlation whereby the improvisors react and inform decisions of the laptop performers, and vice versa.
Premiered: March 29, 2024. Schaver Recital Hall: Wayne State University. Detroit, Michigan.
Additional Performance: May 2, 2024. Joe Byrd Hall: Peabody Institute. Baltimore, Maryland.
Void Sky: Fixed media album comprised of works originally based off improvisations recorded between 2020-2021. “Void Sky” eventually morphed into an endeavor to edit and refine the improvisations into a finished interconnected work.
Published: October 6, 2023. Fixed media.
Motion/Afterimage: A three-movement semi-generative animated score for group improvisation created using Jitter. Utilizing familiar notational elements, the movements transform via afterimages denoting form and through the randomization of colors, behaviors of shapes, placement of shapes/lines, and movement order.
Premiered: March 24, 2023. Schaver Recital Hall: Wayne State University. Detroit, Michigan.
Audio-Visual Improvisatory System: Machine listening improvisational system with interactive visual components, created using Max/MSP and Jitter.
In-person Premier: April 15, 2023. Schaver Recital Hall: Wayne State University – SEAMUS Rhizome Concert. Detroit, Michigan.
Accompanying doctoral document: The Audio-Visual Improvisatory System: Utilization of Machine Listening Techniques and Visualized Scores within Guided Improvisation.
Shapes, Lines, and Particles: Animated abstract generative score for group improvisations, created in Jitter. Open instrumentation.
Premiered: September 18, 2019. Cook Recital Hall: Michigan State University.
Additional performance: February 20, 2020. Louise E. Addicott & Yatish J. Joshi Performance Hall: Indiana University South Bend – Preforming Media Festival [PMF~ 2020]. South Bend, Indiana.
Improvising Computer & Performer – Contour / Expansion: Guided improvisation for individual performer and computer system. Implementation of Markov Chain, pitch tracking, and additive synthesis.
Premiered: October 16, 2018. Cook Recital Hall: Michigan State University. East Lansing, Michigan.
Additional performance: March 8, 2019. Hart Concert Hall: University of Central Missouri – MOXsonic: Missouri Experimental Sonic Arts. Warrensburg, Missouri.
July 2018: Thirty-one fixed media pieces, each individual composed during July 2018.
Date completed: July 31, 2018. Fixed media.
Music for Trombones & Computer: For three trombones and computer system, guided improvisation.
Premiered: November 13, 2018. Cook Recital Hall: Michigan State University. East Lansing, Michigan.
Music for Piano & Computer: Solo piano with computer system utilizing pitch deduction and envelop following.
Premiered: November 7, 2017. Hart Recital Hall: Michigan State University. East Lansing, Michigan.
Guided Improvisation for Double Basses: For indeterminate number of double basses, group guided improvisation.
Date completed: October 17, 2017.
Guided Improvisation for Strings & Computer, nos. 1, 2, and 3: Small string ensembles with computer system, guided improvisation with animated score.
Nos. 1 and 2 premiered: March 25, 2017. Boise Contemporary Theater – Treefort Music Festival. Boise, Idaho.
Tremolo Piece: Double bass with live signal processing using SuperCollider.
Premiered: April 17, 2016. Morrison Center Recital Hall: Boise State University. Boise, Idaho.
Music for Computer and Cellos: Cello duo with live signal processing and fixed elements using SuperCollider.
Premiered: March 25, 2016. Boise Contemporary Theater – Treefort Music Festival. Boise, Idaho.
Solo for Double Bass: Semi-improvised solo for double bass.
Premiered: March 25, 2016. Boise Contemporary Theater – Treefort Music Festival. Boise, Idaho.
Feedback Drones: A Performance Concept for Guitar & Computer: Acoustic guitar with signal processing using SuperCollider.
Date completed: September, 21 2014. Fixed media.
Short Form Piece: Three Chord Density [Subtractive Synthesis, Ring Modulation, Convolution]: Fixed media utilizing Max/MSP.
Date completed: December 5, 2013.
Short Form Piece: Andante for Computer & Guitar: Fixed media recording of acoustic guitar and electronics created using SuperCollider.
Date completed: October 23, 2013.
Live Coding Improvisations: Twenty-three documented live coding improvisations using SuperCollider.
Date completed: October 2012 – September 2013.
Inductor Pickup Recordings: Fixed media recordings using telephone pickup on various objects.
Date completed: November 11, 2012.
Headphone Music: Three movement work of fixed media, specially designed for headphone listening.
Date completed: May 25, 2012.
Magnificat for Double Bass with the Electronic Accompaniment: Signal processed double bass with electronics using SuperCollider.
Premiered: April 21, 2012. Jeannik-Méquet Littlefield Concert Hall: Mills College. Oakland, California.
Music for Double Bass & Computer, No. 4: Solo double bass with electronics using Max/MSP.
Premiered: March 10, 2012. Jeannik-Méquet Littlefield Concert Hall: Mills College - Signal Flow Festival. Oakland, California.
Hard Drive Improvisations: Collection of improvisations with inductor pickup on computer hard drive, additional signal processing through Max and SuperCollider.
Premiered: February 9, 2012. Ensemble Room: Mills College. Oakland, California.
Field Recording - Stop Sign: Fixed media, contact microphone field recording of stop sign.
Dated completed: February 7, 2012.
Improvised Solos for Double Bass with Electronic Accompaniment: Three movement work for solo double bass and electronic using SuperCollider.
Premiered: December 6, 2011. Mills College Chapel – Pipes, Glasses, Strings. Oakland, California.
Disturbing the Continuum: Music for dance in collaboration with composer Xo Xinh.
Premiered: November 4, 2011. Jeannik-Méquet Littlefield Concert Hall: Mills College. Oakland, California.
Music for Double Bass & Computer, No. 3: Solo double bass with electronics using Max/MSP.
Premiered: April 27, 2011. Jeannik-Méquet Littlefield Concert Hall: Mills College. Oakland, California.
Additional performance: May 5, 2012. Center for Computer Research in Music: Stanford University – CEMEC Festival. Stanford, California.
Kyrie [Sound Study]: Fixed media, phase vocoding processing.
Premiered: April 12, 2011. Ensemble Room: Mills College. Oakland, California.
Music for Eight Channels: Multi-channel fixed media work.
Premiered: March 16, 2011. Jeannik-Méquet Littlefield Concert Hall: Mills College. Oakland, California.
Music for Double Bass and Computer, No. 2: Solo double bass with electronics using Max/MSP.
Premiered: November 12, 2010. Jeannik-Méquet Littlefield Concert Hall: Mills College. Oakland, California.
Limited Music: Three movement work of fixed media, created using Max/MSP.
Date completed: November 11, 2010.
Music for Computer: Examinations of Secundal Harmony: Three movement work of semi-generative fixed media; random atomization within Max/MSP.
Date Completed: September 26, 2010.
Untitled Movements: Ten movement fixed media created in Max/MSP.
Date completed: June 20, 2010.
Music for Double Bass & Computer: Solo double bass with electronics using Max/MSP.
Date completed: November 15, 2009.
Monologues-August to October 2009: Fixed media, vocal recordings with signal processing using Max/MSP.
Date completed: October 10, 2009.
Experiments in Ambient Textures: For two string quartets.
Date completed: May, 2009.
Music for Cello & Piano
Date completed: November, 2008.
Music for Piano & Strings
Date completed: April, 2008.
Kyrie for a cappella choir
Date completed: May, 2008.
Music for Violin & Piano
Date completed: November, 2007.
Trio for Piano, Violin, and Cello
Date completed: October 2007.
Music for Trumpet
Date completed: October, 2006.
Video Art:
Void Sky [Parts 1 &2 track visualizer]
Published: October 5, 2023. Personal website and YouTube channel.
Premiered: April 20, 2019. MSU Broad Art Lab: Michigan State University.
Date completed: February 7, 2019.
Video 3.1 – 3.3 (Light Examinations)
Premiered: November 15, 2018. Michigan State Community Music School: Michigan State University.
Premiered: March 28, 2018. Cook Recital Hall: Michigan State University.
Date completed: March 13, 2012
IT`S NEVER ENOUGH, Huangpu River, Shanghai 2013: Video Collaboration with artist Benedikt Partenheimer. Composition used: Henryk Górecki's Symphony No. 3, Movement 2 arranged by Edward Stumpp.
Premiered: June 27th – July 12th 2014, LEPSIEN ART FOUNDATION: Düsseldorf, Germany. (https://www.benedikt-partenheimer.com/it-s-never-enough)
Headphone Music (Video Version)
Date completed: April 23, 2012.
Installations:
Interactive Square: Animated square that is responsive to sound from participants, square changes color, size, and position accordingly.
Premiered: March 28, 2018. Lobby of School of Music: Michigan State University.
Light Installation #1: Live video feed of light reflections projected into public space.
Premiered: April 21, 2012. Lobby of Jeannik-Méquet Littlefield Concert Hall: Mills College.
An Aural Environment for Exploration (The Harmony of a Major Second): Six channel audio installation, continuous sound based of varying intervals of a second.
Premiered: December 7, 2010. Center for Contemporary Music: Mills College.
Awards:
Graduate Dissertation Completion Fellowship, Michigan State University: January 2020.
Graduate Assistant Fellowship, Michigan State University: August 2017 – May 2020.
Technical Assistantship, Mills College Center for Contemporary Music: August 2010 – May 2012.
Computer Program Proficiency:
Max/MSP and Jitter
SuperCollider
Logic Pro
Audacity
Finale
Reaper