Jacqueline Bobak

Jacqueline Bobak is a singer, composer, educator, and administrator at the California Institute of the Arts (CalArts), where she has taught since 1991. As Co-Director of the VoiceArts Program and Assistant Dean for Research and Communication, she specializes in contemporary vocal music, experimental performance, and interdisciplinary art forms.

• PhD in Musicology (University of Illinois, 1992) with dissertation on Dada, Futurism, and non-linear operas of Philip Glass/John Cage

Research & Creative Work:
Her work merges vocal experimentation with theater, visual arts, and socio-political critique. Notable projects include:

• Dada Divas – a multidisciplinary opera exploring female Dada artists' contributions to modernism
• Vir2Ual Cage – multimedia reinterpretation of John Cage's Song Books using technology
• Leading research on phonetics, diction, and avant-garde vocal techniques

Performance & Collaboration:
A globally recognized performer, she has premiered works by composers like Wadada Leo Smith and Frederic Rzewski, collaborating with ensembles such as the Penderecki Quartet and Electric Phoenix. Her performances span major venues including REDCAT, MOCA, and European new music festivals.

Administrative Leadership:
Bobak pioneered CalArts' Performer-Composer DMA program, led accreditation initiatives, and developed international exchange programs. She has held roles as Interim Assistant Provost and Associate Dean.