Paul Reich is an Instructor of Classical Bass and Adjunct Professor of Double Bass at Eastern Kentucky University. He has performed with prestigious orchestras such as the Boston Symphony Orchestra, Akron Symphony, and various regional symphonies across the U.S., including principal bass for the Cave Run Symphony and roles in Orchestra Kentucky Bowling Green , Louisville Ballet, and Kentucky Opera. Graduate of the Cleveland Institute of Music Principal bass for the Cave Run Symphony Substitute musician for Lexington, West Virginia, Huntington, and Louisville orchestras His career spans both classical performance and Broadway tours, with a decade of experience playing in shows like Rent , Miss Saigon , and The Who’s Tommy . Reich also co-founded CKYO North Limestone Music Works and performs with the Lexington Theater Company.
Simona Agnese SCATTINA is an Associate Professor of Performing Arts at the Department of Humanities, University of Catania. She teaches in the fields of dramaturgy, theatre history, and performing arts, and supervises numerous degree theses on diverse aspects of Italian and Sicilian theatre. She is actively engaged in major research projects such as the PRIN 2022 PNRR's 'Archives of Floating Islands,' VIRTUA(*)RT, and Mem.Art, focusing on digital mapping and archival practices in theatre. Her research interests include 20th-century drama, contemporary Sicilian theatre, visual culture, and the archiving of theatrical memory. She has published extensively, including monographs on Emma Dante, Titina De Filippo, and the Napoli puppeteers, and edits the series Oltre il giardino and Tascabili – Teatro for Bonanno. She is also a member of the editorial boards of Arabeschi. International Journal of Studies on Literature and Visuality and Siculorum Gymnasium . The most recent publications and research projects reveal a strong trend in interdisciplinary approaches, combining theatre studies with digital humanities, visual culture, and gender studies. Her work often focuses on subverting traditional narratives, reclaiming cultural memory, and exploring the emotional and sonic dimensions of performance. Scientific Director, PRIN 2022 PNRR – Archives of 'Floating Islands' (ongoing) Principal Investigator, VIRTUA(*)RT – Virtual Rooms for the Arts (2024–2026) Scientific Director, Mem.Art – Digital Mapping of Creative Paths (2020–2022) Principal Investigator, TeaM – Teatri e Memoria (2019) Responsible, Performare la fiaba (2019) She advises a large number of students, as shown by her extensive thesis supervision record, and is actively involved in academic mentoring. She has not received any explicitly mentioned scientific awards in the provided text. She is part of research teams exploring Italian actresses who write (D.A.M.A.), and she organizes academic events, such as meetings with theatre professionals like Graziano Piazza. Her research is deeply rooted in the cultural landscape of Sicily and Southern Italy, with a focus on preserving and reinterpreting intangible theatrical heritage through innovative digital and interdisciplinary methods.
Martin Wölfel is a Professor of Voice and Music Theatre at Folkwang University of the Arts (Faculty 3). Born in Potsdam, he initially pursued acting but transitioned to music, studying voice in Dresden and completing advanced training under Margret Trappe-Wiel. As an internationally renowned countertenor, he has performed at prestigious venues including the Staatsoper Berlin, Opéra National de Paris, Teatro Colón Buenos Aires, and the Royal Opera House London, collaborating with orchestras like the Gewandhausorchester Leipzig. His artistic practice and teaching focus spans opera, operetta, oratorio, and both early and contemporary classical music. He joined Folkwang in 2007, rising to full professorship in 2017, and regularly conducts master classes at institutions globally. Recent career highlights feature performances in Alban Berg's Wozzeck , André Tchaikowsky's The Merchant of Venice , and the 2017 Berlin premiere of Aribert Reimann's L'Invisible .
Kenneth Froelich is a Professor of Music Composition at California State University, Fresno, within the College of Arts and Humanities. His work explores the intersection of modern life experiences with themes like technology, mental health, and personal identity. D.M., M.M., and B.M. in Music Composition from Indiana University and University of Southern California Research Interests focus on creating rhythmically dynamic compositions that reflect contemporary struggles and joys. His music has been performed globally, including in the U.S., Canada, China, Europe, and South America. Scientific Awards include recognitions from ASCAP, National Association of Composers/USA, Meet the Composer, and other prestigious organizations. Teaching Roles encompass courses in composition, music technology, orchestration, and graduate music theory. Notable Performances : Symphony No. 1: Dream Dialogs recorded by the Brno Philharmonic, featured in ensembles like CMASH, California EAR Unit, and Heretic Opera.
Tom Hiebert is Professor of Music at California State University, Fresno within the College of Arts and Humanities, Department of Music. He has taught at the institution since 1987 and maintains an active profile as a horn performer and scholar specializing in historical brass repertoire. Education: D.M.A., Horn Performance, Theory Minor, University of Wisconsin-Madison, 1989 M.M., Horn Performance and Literature, Eastman School of Music, 1980 Staatliche Hochschule für Musik Rheinland-Köln (1976-1977) B.A., Music, Bethel College, North Newton, KS, 1978 Research Focus: Dr. Hiebert's scholarly work centers on historical horn performance practice , with emphasis on Baroque and Classical period repertoire and the recovery of obscure historical works . His research bridges performance and academic analysis, particularly through studies of natural horn techniques and historical context. Publications span journals like The Horn Call and Early Music , alongside contributions to The Cambridge Companion to Brass Instruments and The New Grove Dictionary . Professional Engagement: He serves as principal horn of Fresno's Orpheus Chamber Ensemble since 1987 and has performed with the Boston Lyric Opera, Wisconsin Chamber Orchestra, and Fresno Philharmonic. Administrative roles include Department of Music Chair (2006-2010) and participation in the London Semester program (Spring 2005). His lecture-demonstrations at international conferences in Germany and Switzerland highlight interdisciplinary scholarship connecting performance practice with historical research.
Daniel Sender is a Professor of Violin at the University of Virginia's Department of Music, serving as concertmaster for the Charlottesville Symphony and Charlottesville Opera while maintaining an active international performance and scholarly career. He holds additional faculty positions at Interlochen's Adult Chamber Music Camp and has established himself as a leading figure in bridging Hungarian folk traditions with classical performance practices. His research focuses on the intersection of folk and art music in Central Europe, particularly Hungarian and Roma traditions. Sender has pioneered methodologies for authentic interpretation of Bartók's works through performance scholarship, creating new pedagogical frameworks that connect historical research with contemporary violin practice. His creative output spans composition, performance, and academic writing that actively preserves endangered musical traditions while innovating within classical forms. Fulbright U.S. Scholar (2021-22) at Liszt Academy and University of Pécs Fulbright Student Scholar (2010-11) for research in Budapest Cultural exchange residency grant from Charlottesville Sister Cities Commission Sender maintains an extensive performance schedule across major international venues while directing chamber ensembles and mentoring emerging musicians. His creative projects often involve cross-cultural collaborations, including recent work with French and Hungarian institutions that demonstrate his commitment to international artistic exchange through both performance and educational initiatives.
Anu Ruusmaa is a Lecturer in Opera Studio at the Estonian Academy of Music and Theatre, with a career spanning dance performance, choreography, and pedagogy. She has held teaching roles at multiple institutions, including Viljandi Culture Academy (University of Tartu) and Ida Dance School. Current positions: Lecturer in Opera Studio (since 1999), ballet teacher at Viljandi Culture Academy (since 1999), dance history teacher (since 2009), and modern dance teacher at Ida Dance School (since 2007). Her research focuses on dance pedagogy, audience engagement, and the intersection of technology and creativity. She has contributed to national dance curriculum development and authored critical essays on contemporary dance practices. Recent publications explore themes like cultural globalization in ballet, sensory experiences in theater, and ethical dilemmas in choreography. Awards include the Gerd Neggo Scholarship (2014) and multiple Ministry of Culture honors. Scientific awards: Ministry of Culture Awards (1986, 1995), Cultural Endowment Scholarships (2007, 2015), Gerd Neggo Scholarship (2014).
Ardo Ran Varres is a visiting faculty member at the Estonian Academy of Music and Theatre specializing in film music. As a multidisciplinary artist, he combines roles as composer, sound director, musical designer, actor, and dramaturgy expert. His work bridges music with theatrical and cinematic storytelling. Varres' research focuses on integrating dramaturgical principles with sound design, utilizing environmental recordings as musical material. He creates compositions ranging from memorable melodic themes to experimental sound fields, employing computer processing for innovative sonic results. His creative output spans over 25 film, theatre, and dance performance scores. Notable collaborations include YXUS Ensemble, Black Box Studio, and SA NUKU theatre. Varres maintains a sound studio 'TonoScope Records' and actively produces concert showreels.
Professor Stanisław Daniel Kotliński is a distinguished Polish vocal performer, pedagogue, and academic affiliated with the Faculty of Vocal and Acting at the Gdańsk Academy of Music named after Stanisław Moniuszko. With a habilitated doctorate in Musical Arts specializing in Vocal Performance, he has been teaching solo singing classes since 1997 and was appointed professor in recognition of his significant contributions to music education and performance. His research and performance interests focus on vocal performance, Bel Canto technique, Italian operatic literature from Bel Canto to Verismo, vocal pedagogy, and the interpretation of Polish and Russian music. Professor Kotliński's scholarly work bridges historical performance practice with contemporary vocal techniques, particularly through his exploration of Barbara Iglikowska's influential vocal methodology. His extensive publication record includes the significant 2013 monograph 'Ewolucja głosu ludzkiego w kontekście filozofii kształcenia i metody wokalnej Barbary Iglikowskiej' (The Evolution of the Human Voice in the Context of the Philosophy of Education and Vocal Method of Barbara Iglikowska), along with numerous recordings including the critically acclaimed 'Francesco Paolo Tosti – Romanza da Salotto Italiana' (2019/2020) and 'Sir Paolo Tosti & his fascinating World Fin de Siècle' (2022). Premio Europeo 'Lorenzo il Magnifico' from Accademia Medicea (2017) Fryderyk Award Nomination for 'Straszny Dwór' recording (2018) As an educator, Professor Kotliński has mentored numerous successful vocalists including Pavel Kolgatin, Sung Min Song, Huang Shan, and Hongyu Cui, many of whom have won prestigious international competitions. He has coordinated masterclasses across Europe and Asia, particularly in Munich, Salzburg, and Beijing, fostering emerging talent through his expertise in vocal technique and interpretation. His international collaborations extend to festival organization, including his role as founding committee member and musical dramaturg for the 'Stars & Rising Stars' festival in Munich under Bavarian Government auspices.
Leszek Sokołowski serves as a Visiting Professor at the Stanisław Moniuszko Academy of Music in Gdańsk within the Faculty of Instrumental Studies. He concurrently holds a full professorship at the Fryderyk Chopin University of Music in Warsaw, teaching double bass at the Faculty of Instrumental and Pedagogical Studies in Białystok, while also performing as first-voice double bassist with the Podlasie Opera and Philharmonic. Education: State Secondary Music School in Białystok (double bass studies under Ryszard Kukiełka) Fryderyk Chopin Academy of Music in Warsaw, Białystok Branch (graduated 1985 under Professor Andrzej Mysiński) Master class in Salzburg with Klaus Stoll (principal double bassist of Berlin Philharmonic) Specializing in Double Bass Performance and Chamber Music, Professor Sokołowski maintains an active performance career collaborating with ensembles including the Camerata Quartet, Aleksander Tansman Quartet, and Polish Quartet of the Deutsche Oper Berlin. His pedagogical approach emphasizes technical mastery and interpretative depth in classical repertoire. Honors: Gloria Artis medal for cultural contributions Professor of Musical Arts title awarded by Polish President (April 2009) Academic Mentorship: Professor Sokołowski has cultivated exceptional talent through rigorous training, producing award-winning students including: Bartosz Sikorski (principal double bassist, Wiener Philharmoniker) Karol Cieśluk (principal double bassist, Oslo Opera House) His students frequently secure positions in the European Union Youth Orchestra and Alfred Smoczyk Orchestra, while he regularly serves on juries for international double bass competitions. Artistic Leadership: Founder and director of the 'Sinfonia Academica' chamber orchestra, and artistic director for the 'Music in the Old Church' festival and 'Concerts with History' series at Białystok's Podlasie Museum. He conducts master classes in Łańcut, Kołobrzeg, and Opole.
Jakub Borowczyk is a Polish opera singer, countertenor, and musicologist affiliated with the Stanisław Moniuszko Academy of Music in Gdańsk. He serves as a lecturer in the Department of Vocal and Acting, where he contributes to vocal training and performance education. Born in 1989, Borowczyk has established himself as a versatile performer across multiple musical genres and periods. His educational background includes: Diploma with distinction from the Stanisław Moniuszko Academy of Music in Gdańsk (2019) in singing under Prof. Piotr Kusiewicz Bachelor's degree in musicology from Adam Mickiewicz University in Poznań (2011) Currently participating in the Doctoral School of the Academy of Music in Gdańsk (since 2023) Borowczyk's research and performance interests span a wide range of musical traditions, with particular focus on contemporary classical music, early music, and folk traditions. His work demonstrates a commitment to bridging historical performance practices with modern interpretations through collaborations with major opera institutions across Poland. Borowczyk has received several prestigious awards and scholarships recognizing his artistic contributions, including national vocal competitions and cultural support from regional and national authorities. As an active performer, Borowczyk has collaborated with major Polish opera institutions including the Baltic Opera, Warsaw Chamber Opera, Polish Royal Opera, and Krakow Opera, with notable performances spanning from Baroque works to contemporary premieres including Zygmunt Krauze's "Bona Sforza" in November 2024. He is also the originator and co-founder of the minimalist music project NEXT TO NOTHING and, since 2025, performs as part of the Minimal Project duo with Igor Torbicki, expanding his artistic expression beyond traditional opera performance.
Marta Różańska serves as Assistant Professor of Oboe at the Department of Instrumental Music, Faculty of Instrumental Studies, Academy of Music in Gdańsk (Akademia Muzyczna im. Stanisława Moniuszki w Gdańsku). She has been teaching at the institution since October 2006 and is also listed among the educators in Department II – Instrumental on the university's official faculty list. Her artistic career combines academic teaching with active performance. Professor Różańska specializes in oboe performance, chamber music, and wind ensemble repertoire, with particular emphasis on contemporary Polish compositions and classical masterworks. Her research interests focus on performance practice, interpretation techniques, and expanding the oboe repertoire through collaborations with living composers. Professor Różańska's artistic output demonstrates significant contributions to contemporary Polish music, particularly through recordings of works by Gdańsk-based composers. Her performance career shows a trajectory from competition success to established professional activity, with a particular emphasis on chamber music formations like the Gdańsk Reed Trio. Jury Prize at the 1st Concorso Internazionale per Oboe Giuseppe Ferlendis in Adrara S. Martino, Italy (2004) Honorary Mention at the 8th International Competition of Contemporary Chamber Music in Kraków (2004) 3rd Main Prize at the International Music Competition in Malta (2014) 1st Prize at the 25th International Competition for Young Musicians 'Città di Barletta' Special Prize for post-1960 composition performance at 'Città di Barletta' competition Scholarship from the Minister of Culture (2005, 2006) As principal oboist at the Baltic Opera in Gdańsk and member of Sinfonietta Pomerania, Professor Różańska maintains an active performance career while mentoring the next generation of musicians. Her collaborations with numerous Polish orchestras demonstrate her standing in the national musical community, and her Erasmus experience studying in Lyon reflects her international perspective on music education.
Valdine Anderson is a Canadian soprano and MPS Instructor in Voice at the Desautels Faculty of Music, University of Manitoba. She is renowned globally for her operatic and concert repertoire spanning baroque to contemporary works and serves as Artistic Director of the award-winning Winnipeg women's choir Esprit de Choeur . Education BMus, University of Manitoba BEd, University of Manitoba Opera Diploma, University of Toronto Her research and creative work focuses on vocal pedagogy, new music premieres, and choral conducting. She has collaborated with composers like George Benjamin, Harrison Birtwistle, and Thomas Adès, and performed at international festivals including Aspen and Edinburgh. Notable Awards Grammy Award nomination for Best Classical Contemporary Composition (recording of Thomas Adès' *Powder Her Face*) In addition to her performance career, Anderson maintains a private vocal studio in Winnipeg, coaches new opera productions, and serves as a juror for the Canada Council for the Arts. She also works with choirs at Balmoral Hall School.
Mel Braun is a Professor at the Desautels Faculty of Music, University of Manitoba, where he heads the vocal program and serves as Opera Theatre Ensembles Coordinator. He also acts as Co-Artistic Director and Conductor of Dead of Winter (formerly Camerata Nova), focusing on innovative choral practices. Education: BMus, University of Toronto MMus, University of Toronto Church Music Degree, Canadian Mennonite Bible College Research and Creative Focus: Braun pioneers collaborative approaches in vocal training and performance, blending classical traditions with contemporary contexts. His work explores Indigenous reconciliation through projects with Cree composer Andrew Balfour ( Taken , Notinikew ), reimagines art song by fusing Schubert with Gordon Lightfoot, and develops new choral compositions like Ode to the Red River Cart . He champions holistic artist development through community engagement and cross-genre experimentation. Advising and Mentorship: Emphasizing "students first," Braun mentors vocal students and emerging indie rock musicians in Winnipeg's scene. He co-created the Micro-Certificate in Songmaking program, connecting university students with industry professionals for training in songwriting, production, and music business. Artistic Leadership: As Director of Dead of Winter, he premieres socially engaged works at festivals like Podium and Montreal New Music Festival. His Contemporary Opera Lab and operatic ensemble direction foster collaborative creation, reflecting his belief that "collaboration is the way people on the prairies have always survived."
Judith Oatway is a soprano and sessional instructor at the Desautels Faculty of Music, University of Manitoba. Her performances, praised as 'polished and dramatic,' span diverse operatic roles and collaborations with organizations like MB Underground Opera, Opera NUOVA, and the Millennium Library Skywalk Series. Education: B. Mus, Brandon University Post Baccalaureate Diploma, University of Manitoba Master of Music (Performance), University of Western Ontario Judith co-founded the Summer Music Academy at the Community School of Music & the Arts (CMU) and Flipside Opera, an independent vocal music organization dedicated to weaving stories through song. Her creative work emphasizes collaborative art song programming and nurturing emerging talent.
