Find Academic Supervisors

Sławomir KaczorowskiView profile

Professor

• Contemporary Composition
• Instrumental Music
• Choral Music
• +2 more

Professor Sławomir Kaczorowski, Ph.D., has been a faculty member at the Grażyna and Kiejstut Bacewicz Academy of Music in Łódź since 1981, where he teaches composition and served as Head of the Department of Composition from 2011 to 2021. He previously held significant leadership roles including Vice-Rector for Artistic and Teaching Affairs (1999-2005) and Vice-Dean of the Faculty of Composition, Music Theory, Music Education and Rhythmics (1996-1999). His educational background includes diplomas in music theory (1981) and composition under Professor Bronisław Kazimierz Przybylski (1981) from the State Higher School of Music in Łódź. Awarded the title of professor by the President of Poland in 2002, he remains an active academic leader currently serving as chairman of the Art Section of the Polish Accreditation Commission. Kaczorowski specializes in contemporary composition with emphasis on instrumental works, chamber music, and choral compositions. His research interests manifest in diverse output featuring piano, accordion, and mixed ensembles, with notable focus on tango-inspired forms and liturgical reinterpretations. He pioneered the MUSICA MODERNA sessions promoting new music through biannual concerts and lectures. Analysis of his 15 most recent compositions reveals consistent exploration of Polish contemporary classical traditions with strong emphasis on instrumental timbre, cross-genre fusion (particularly tango elements), and innovative approaches to sacred music forms. His works demonstrate technical mastery across diverse ensembles from solo piano to full orchestral settings. Silver Medal for Merit to Culture – Gloria Artis (2021) Numerous national composition competition awards Jury membership at international competitions including the T. Baird Young Composers' Competition (Warsaw 2018) and National Association of Composers USA competitions (2017-2018) Professor Kaczorowski has mentored award-winning composers including Grzegorz Duchnowski and Tomasz Szczepanik. His institutional leadership includes directing the Grażyna Bacewicz International Composition Competition (2012, 2015, 2019) and serving as president of the Łódź Branch of the Polish Composers' Union until 2022. He maintains active artistic engagement through premieres across Europe, China, and the United States. His creative work is organized through departmental initiatives including the Department of Composition's performance series and collaboration with the Artur Rubinstein Łódź Philharmonic. Current activities focus on expanding Polish contemporary music's international presence through competitions and cross-border artistic exchanges.

Aaron CassidyView profile

Professor

• Contemporary Music Composition
• Musical Notation Innovation
• Non-Geometrical Rhythm Theory
• +3 more

Aaron Cassidy is an American composer and conductor based in Berlin and Hannover. He serves as Professor of Composition and Director of Incontri – Institut für neue Musik at the Hochschule für Musik, Theater und Medien Hannover. His work emphasizes innovative graphical notations prioritizing physical sound production and non-geometrical rhythm theory. Cassidy’s compositions have been performed globally across 29 countries, with 12 commercial recordings on major labels like Kairos and NEOS. As a conductor, he specializes in contemporary and historical repertoire, leading over 100 world premieres with ensembles such as Ensemble Musikfabrik and ELISION. Notable engagements include the Munich Biennale and Melbourne Recital Centre. His recent research includes a 2025 reflection on non-geometrical rhythm and collaborative Erasmus+ residencies in Klagenfurt. Current projects include works for bassoon, violin-piano duet, and ANAM residency with ELISION in Melbourne (2025). Cassidy’s academic focus bridges compositional theory and performance practice. His research explores notation’s role in shaping musical interpretation, with particular attention to rhythm’s non-metric frameworks. Recent works like Reassessing Non-Geometrical Rhythm (2025) synthesize a decade of theoretical development. His teaching integrates experimental techniques and historical context, fostering innovation in Hannover’s new music institute.

Alva L. CouchView profile

Associate Professor

• Network and System Management
• Geo-informatics
• Data Management
• +9 more

Alva L. Couch is an Associate Professor at Tufts University's School of Engineering, Department of Computer Science, with a career spanning over 30 years. His work bridges network/system administration, autonomic computing, and hydrologic data science, focusing on scalable solutions for data management and automated system administration. Education: Ph.D. in Mathematics (1988), B.S. in Architecture (1978), and B.A. in Bassoon/Contrabassoon Performance (1978). Research Interests His research centers on: Network and System Administration: Tools like SLINK, Maelstrom, and Babble for dependency analysis, cloud migration, and policy enforcement. Geo-informatics: MEDFORD metadata language and HydroShare platform for hydrologic data curation and discovery. Autonomic Computing: Promise theory, convergent operators, and closure models for self-managing systems. Recent Work Trends His 2024-2018 publications emphasize: Cloud-based hydrologic data management (AnVILMEDFORD, HydroShare) Metadata standards for interdisciplinary research Machine learning for system administration Agent-based resource sharing models Scientific Awards Liebner Teaching Award (1996) Seymour Simches Advising Award (2017) Best Paper Awards: LISA 1996, AIMS 2008, LISA 2001 LISA 2000 Best Student Paper (with Michael Gilfix) Contributions He developed key software like Peep (network auralization) and Slink (configuration management), supported by NSF grants and industry partnerships. His work with CUAHSI's Water Data Center shapes national hydrologic data infrastructure. He also advocates for science education and privacy in computing.

Carlos Manuel López SoriaView profile

Visiting Assistant Professor

• Bassoon Performance
• Music Education
• Orchestral Music
• +3 more

Carlos Manuel López Soria is the Arthur E. and Martha S. Hearron Visiting Assistant Professor of Bassoon at Western Michigan University's Irving S. Gilmore School of Music, while pursuing a Doctor of Musical Arts at the University of Iowa. He also serves as an Instructor of Bassoon at the University of Wisconsin–Platteville as of August 2023. Education: National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM) Swanee Henry Schwob School of Music University of Iowa (current PhD candidate) His research focuses on bassoon music of the Americas. A noted performer, he has held roles in orchestras such as the Lagrange Symphony Orchestra, Waterloo-Cedar Falls Symphony, and Mexico City's UNAM Philharmonic and IPN Symphony. He actively engages in masterclasses and performances across the U.S. and Mexico. Carlos has earned recognition through solo and chamber music competition awards, though specific prize names are not disclosed. His teaching career includes roles as a bassoon studio teaching assistant and instructor. No grants or labs are explicitly detailed in the provided information.

Juri SeoView profile

Associate Professor

• Contemporary Music Composition
• Counterpoint
• Harmony
• +7 more

Juri Seo is an Associate Professor of Music at Princeton University, where she teaches composition. She is a Korean-born American composer and pianist known for her innovative approach to contemporary classical music that bridges historical forms with modern techniques. Her educational background includes a B.A. from Yonsei University in Korea and an M.M. and D.M.A. from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, where she studied with Reynold Tharp. Her dissertation focused on Jonathan Harvey's String Quartets (2013). Seo's research interests span Contemporary Music Composition, Counterpoint, Harmony, Just Intonation, Microtonality, Piano Composition, and the intersection of Ecology with Music. Her work explores "the continuum between timbre, harmony, and noise" while maintaining a deep connection to traditional Western classical forms. She is particularly passionate about counterpoint, which she describes as "a lost art" in contemporary composition. Her compositions demonstrate a unique synthesis of historical forms (like fugue and cantus firmus) with contemporary techniques including extended just intonation and electronics. A recurring theme in her recent work is ecology, with pieces like "Birds, Bees, Electric Fish" exploring the perceptual worlds of different organisms. She has pioneered performances with blindfolded audiences to heighten auditory awareness. Guggenheim Fellowship (2016) Goddard Lieberson Fellowship from American Academy of Arts and Letters (2013) Kate Neal Kinley Fellowship (2011) Otto Eckstein Fellowship from Tanglewood (2011) Koussevitzky Commission from the Library of Congress Copland House Residency Award Seo has received commissions from prestigious organizations including the Fromm Foundation, Barlow Endowment, Tanglewood Music Center, and the University of Illinois. She has been a composition fellow at Tanglewood, Bang on a Can, and SoundSCAPE festivals. Her debut album "Mostly Piano" was released by Innova Recordings in 2017, and her recent album "Obsolete Music" was released by New Amsterdam Records in June 2025. She leads an active creative life with numerous upcoming commissions through 2026, including works for So Percussion, the Grossman Ensemble, and the University of Illinois Percussion Studio. Her work with the JACK Quartet on pieces using extended just intonation has been particularly significant in her recent output.

Mara GibsonView profile

Associate Professor

• Music Composition
• Cross-disciplinary Collaboration
• Contemporary Classical Music
• +3 more

Mara Gibson is an Associate Professor of Composition at Louisiana State University (LSU) School of Music, where she serves as area coordinator with tenure. Originally from Charlottesville, VA, Dr. Gibson completed her Ph.D. at SUNY Buffalo after graduating from Bennington College. She has also studied at London College of Music, L'École des Beaux-Arts in Fontainebleau, France, and the International Music Institute at Darmstadt, Germany. Dr. Gibson's creative work spans contemporary composition with emphasis on cross-disciplinary collaborations. Her music has been described as "shocking, gripping and thought-provoking... conjuring a flurry of emotions" (PARMA Recordings). She is a regular collaborator with choreographers, visual artists, writers, and filmmakers, with notable projects including the ArtSounds initiative which ran for 11 years at UMKC. Her recent compositions demonstrate consistent innovation in technique and interdisciplinary approaches. Works like Escher Keys (2021), a bassoon concerto inspired by M.C. Escher, and Galetea's Dream (2021/23), a staged song cycle, showcase her ability to merge visual art concepts with musical expression. Her compositions often draw inspiration from poetry, visual arts, and natural phenomena, resulting in works that are both technically sophisticated and emotionally resonant. Dr. Gibson has received numerous prestigious awards including: LSU Provost Fund for Innovation in Research ($7,500 for "The Devil's Dream" opera, 2024) GRAMMY nomination eligibility for "Unseen World" album (2024) ATLAS grant through Louisiana Board of Regents ($32,000 for bassoon concerto project, 2021) MacDowell Colony Fellowship (2016) Virginia Center for the Arts residency (2015) Yale University Distinguished Music Educator Award (2015) As an educator, Dr. Gibson has significantly expanded the composition program at LSU, more than doubling its size since her arrival. She founded the Constantinides New Music Ensemble, which debuted at Carnegie Hall in April 2022. Previously, at UMKC Conservatory of Music and Dance, she coordinated undergraduate composition and tripled enrollment in the program. She is currently working on her first opera, "The Devil's Dream," based on Lee Smith's novel and inspired by the country music powerhouse Carter family.

Cayla BellamyView profile

Assistant Professor

• Bassoon Performance
• Music Pedagogy
• Chamber Music
• +3 more

Cayla Bellamy is an Assistant Professor of Bassoon and Coordinator of Woodwinds at Colorado State University, where she teaches applied bassoon, chamber music, and instrumental pedagogy. She performs with the Colorado Bach Ensemble and Pro Musica Colorado Chamber Orchestra. Her research focuses on redefining bassoon pedagogy, new music advocacy, and intersections between artistic training and athletic methodologies. Dr. Bellamy holds a Doctor of Music from Indiana University Jacobs School of Music and degrees from the University of Georgia. She has been awarded grants including the 2022 New Music USA Creator Fund and recognized in the Ernst Bacon Prize and American Prize competitions. Her scholarly work addresses curriculum diversification, practice engagement dynamics, and reed-making pedagogy. She currently serves as Communications Coordinator for the International Double Reed Society and previously taught at the New York Summer School of the Arts and Emory Youth Symphony Orchestra. Recent projects include album recordings of American bassoon repertoire (Double or Nothing, 2017) and ongoing commissions like The Ghosts That Haunt Us with composer Frank Horvat. She is preparing her second album, American Bassoon Voices, featuring new compositions.

David JonesView profile

Lecturer

• Music Accompaniment
• 19th Century Music
• 20th Century Music
• +3 more

David Jones is the Head of Accompaniment and a Lecturer in Piano at the Royal Northern College of Music (RNCM). He holds roles as Staff Pianist Co-ordinator, Junior RNCM Tutor, and academic supervisor. His career spans over 25 years, including a PhD on Jeffrey Lewis's music (2011) and extensive editorial work for Cathedral Press. He specializes in 19th-20th century French and British music, with a focus on accompaniment, mélodie, and opera coaching. Education: BMus (First Class Honours, University of Wales, Bangor), PGDip and MusM (RNCM). Research interests include music archiving, collaborative performance practices, and the works of overlooked composers like Jeffrey Lewis and Robin Stevens. He supervises PhD students on topics such as Arnold Cooke, Louise Farrenc, and Gabriel Pierné. Professional Activities: Pianist for Hallé Choir, founder of Altèri chamber choir, ABRSM examiner (2005-2019). Recordings: Over 10 albums featuring Lewis, Stevens, Bingham, and Williamson. Recent releases include Robin Stevens' Chasing Shadows (2023) and Blooms of Dublin (Anthony Burgess project, 2022). Current projects include archiving Jeffrey Lewis's manuscripts and preparing the Anthony Burgess Foundation's Joycean music collections. His teaching includes undergrad electives on French mélodie and 19th-century opera, alongside postgraduate accompaniment coaching.

Peter Lucas HulenView profile

Professor

• Electronic Music
• Music Composition
• Music Theory
• +3 more

Peter Lucas Hulen is a Professor in the Music Department at Wabash College , where he has taught for nearly 25 years. His work bridges classical acoustic composition with experimental computer-generated electronic music, informed by his classical training and later shift toward digital techniques. Research interests include: Electronic music history Music technology pedagogy Digital synthesis methods (FM, subtractive, granular) Integration of acoustic and electronic sound Algorithmic composition Interdisciplinary applications His compositions explore: Microtonal scales using superparticular ratios Wireless performance interfaces Choral liturgy adaptation Cultural sound symbolism Speaker array design Temporal structure manipulation Recent works combine academic rigor with technical innovation: 2017: Homage and Refuge , Wobbly 2015: Organum IV 2014: Magnificat , Sitting 328b 2013: Les substances botaniques , Primitive 2012: Lamentationes Jeremiae I He developed a systematic electronic music curriculum including: History and Literature Computer Programming (Max/MSP) Performance Ensembles Theory and Composition

Johannes SchwarzView profile

Professor

• Contemporary Music
• Chamber Music
• Bassoon Performance
• +4 more

Professor Johannes Schwarz serves as Acting Professor for Contemporary Chamber Music at the University of Music Würzburg since April 2025. He maintains active teaching positions at the Frankfurt and Stuttgart Academies of Music, and regularly conducts workshops at international festivals including those in Lucerne and Darmstadt. As principal bassoonist with Ensemble Modern since 2003, he has established himself as a versatile performer working across diverse musical genres and collaborative projects. Professor Schwarz's research interests span contemporary chamber music performance, bassoon technique innovation, and the integration of live electronics with acoustic instruments. His work bridges traditional classical performance practices with experimental approaches, including free improvisation, period instrument performance, and cross-genre collaborations that extend to heavy metal and electronic music. He has pioneered new techniques for bassoon performance that have expanded the instrument's expressive capabilities in contemporary contexts. His artistic output demonstrates a consistent focus on expanding the bassoon repertoire through commissions and collaborations with leading contemporary composers. The development of the comprehensive digital sound collection for bassoon in 2018 represents a significant contribution to contemporary bassoon performance practice, influencing new compositions worldwide. His performance projects often incorporate multimedia elements, as evidenced by his solo music theater production 'UNA SOLO' (2018/19) and the 2023 performance 'Blow the Mausoleum' in Dessau. During his career, Professor Schwarz has held significant leadership roles including artistic director of the International Ensemble Modern Academy (2013-2018) and organizer of the international chamber music course for the Klangspuren Festival in Innsbruck (2008-2022), where he collaborated with renowned composers such as George Benjamin, Unsuk Chin, and Sofia Gubaidulina.

Blaire K.S. KoernerView profile

Adjunct Professor

• Arts Leadership
• Music Career Development
• Arts Entrepreneurship
• +3 more

Dr. Blaire K.S. Koerner is an instructor of Arts & Music Leadership and Associate Director of the Institute for Music Leadership (IML) at the Eastman School of Music, University of Rochester. She holds adjunct roles in music leadership and bassoon performance across institutions, including Syracuse University and Eastman Community Music School. Education: DMA and M.M. in Bassoon Performance (Eastman School of Music), M.Ed in Elementary Education, and B.S. in Bassoon Performance (Hofstra University). Research interests focus on strategies for arts careers, curriculum development in music leadership, interdisciplinary performance integration, and fostering self-sufficiency in students. She leads the IML's Catherine Filene Shouse Certificate program and oversees 25+ courses and 50+ organizational partnerships for internships. Recognized with the 2025 Linda Muise Staff award for community impact. Advises graduate students on career goals and supports capstone projects. Collaborates with the Hats + Heels Duo, commissioning new works and exploring multimedia performance narratives. Teaching emphasizes growth mindset and independence. Former roles include expanding SU's bassoon studio and redeveloping reed resources. Engages in community through music leadership research and creative projects.

Mary HermesView profile

Professor

• Indigenous language revitalization
• cultural studies
• curriculum development
• +3 more

Mary Hermes is a Professor in the Department of Curriculum and Instruction at the University of Minnesota 's College of Education and Human Development. Her research bridges feminist theory and Indigenous epistemologies to advance language revitalization, particularly focusing on the Ojibwe language and its connection to land-based pedagogies. BA: Oberlin College, Third World Studies BM: Oberlin Conservatory, Bassoon Performance MA: University of Wisconsin-Madison, Curriculum and Instruction PhD: University of Wisconsin-Madison, Curriculum and Instruction Mary Hermes' research explores how language revitalization fosters cultural sustainability and decolonization . She employs multimodal interactional analysis to study communication dynamics between elders, youth, and educators in Indigenous communities, emphasizing relational epistemology and land-based learning . Her work also integrates multicultural leadership and equity-driven pedagogy in K-12 settings. Her recent publications highlight collaborative methodologies, digital documentation tools for endangered languages, and intergenerational knowledge transfer . Key trends include the intersection of technology and traditional practices , with a focus on Ojibwe language immersion programs and their socio-ecological impacts. Community Engaged Scholar Award, University of Minnesota (2020) Grand Challenge Collaborative Research Scholar Appointment (2018-2019) CEHD Community Engagement Award (Spring 2016) Multicultural Leadership Award (Spring 2014) Institute for Advanced Studies Fellow (Spring 2010) President’s Multicultural Research Award (2000–2002) Mary Hermes mentors graduate students in language revitalization and Indigenous education, with a collaborative NSF-funded project ( NSF/DEL BCS-1664510 ) on Forest Walks as a flagship initiative. She co-founded Grassroots Indigenous Multimedia , leveraging multimodal tools to create accessible language resources for Ojibwe communities.

Carolyn BeckView profile

Lecturer

• Bassoon Performance
• Chamber Music Literature
• Baroque Performance Practice
• +3 more

Carolyn Beck is a Lecturer in Music at Pomona College since 2002, specializing in bassoon performance and pedagogy. She serves as principal bassoonist with the Redlands and San Bernardino Symphonies and performs baroque bassoon with period instrument groups in the Los Angeles area. Her expertise spans chamber music, new music techniques, and historical performance practices. Education: D.M.A. from Manhattan School of Music, M.M. from Yale University School of Music, B.A. (cum laude) from California State University, Northridge Recent highlights include solo performances with the Pomona College Orchestra, North/South Consonance in New York City, and the Redlands Symphony Orchestra. She has contributed to recordings such as Beck and Call (2005) and Notes from the Kelp (2007). Beck co-hosted the 2013 International Double Reed Society conference and maintains affiliations with the University of Redlands and Idyllwild Arts Academy. Contact: Pomona College, 333 N. College Way, Claremont, CA 91711 | Phone: (909) 621-8000

Graham SalvageView profile

Professor

• Bassoon Performance
• Orchestral Music
• Music Education
• +3 more

Professor Graham Salvage is the Professor of Bassoon and Contrabassoon at the Royal Northern College of Music (RNCM), where he also serves as a tutor. He is the principal bassoonist of the Hallé Orchestra and has held positions in major orchestras including the London Symphony, Philharmonia, and BBC Symphony. His career spans international performances, masterclasses, and recordings, with engagements in Tokyo, Hong Kong, and Turkey. Educated at the Royal Academy of Music (1972–75) under Gwydion Brooke and Klaus Thunemann, he also teaches at Manchester University and Chetham’s School of Music. He is an adjudicator for the Associated Board and the Sole Representative for Püchner Bassoons. Orchestral Roles: Principal Bassoonist (Hallé Orchestra), Guest Principal with LSO, Philharmonia, and others. Teaching Institutions: RNCM, Manchester University, Chetham’s School of Music. Professional Affiliations: Adjudicator for Associated Board, Püchner Bassoons Representative. Research & Performance: Focuses on bassoon repertoire and pedagogy, with premieres of new works and recordings. His teaching emphasizes technical mastery and interpretive depth in classical music.

Susan OdemView profile

Adjunct Professor

• Music Education
• Oboe Performance
• Bassoon Instruction
• +3 more

Susan Odem is an adjunct professor and music teaching artist in the Department of Music at Simpson College, specializing in oboe instruction. She holds a Bachelor of Music from the University of Missouri-Kansas City and a Master of Music from Drake University. Ms. Odem is a professional oboist, performing with the Des Moines Symphony and chamber ensemble Lyric Winds. In addition to her college teaching, she maintains a private studio teaching oboe and bassoon to students in grades 5–12. Education: Bachelor of Music in Oboe, University of Missouri-Kansas City Master of Music, Drake University Teaching Responsibilities: Double Reeds Methods, Music Theory, World Music, and oboe/bassoon performance instruction. She also contributes to Simpson's Lyric Winds ensemble as a faculty member. Professional Affiliations: Des Moines Symphony, multiple chamber ensembles, and private studio mentorship.