Find Academic Supervisors

• Opera Performance
• Classical Vocal Repertoire
• Art Song
• +3 more

Ben Johnson is a Vocal Studies professor at the Royal College of Music, where he teaches vocal performance and opera. An acclaimed tenor, Johnson has established himself as a versatile performer across opera, concert repertoire, and recital, with a distinguished career that spans major international stages. Johnson's research interests focus on: Opera performance practice across historical periods Art song interpretation, particularly English and German Lieder Vocal technique and pedagogy for emerging singers Historical performance practices in vocal music Collaborative piano-vocal repertoire Contemporary vocal works and commissions Johnson's recent performances and recordings demonstrate remarkable versatility across musical periods and styles. His discography includes significant contributions to Polish art song repertoire (Szymanowski), English song literature (Victorian songs), and major operatic roles from Mozart to Britten. He has performed with leading orchestras including the BBC Symphony Orchestra and has collaborated with distinguished artists such as Graham Johnson and Edward Gardner. Johnson's professional achievements include: BBC Cardiff Singer of the World Audience Prize (2013) Kathleen Ferrier Award (2008) Wigmore Hall Emerging Talent (2011) English National Opera Harewood Artist (2013-2015) As an educator and performer, Johnson maintains an active schedule of masterclasses and performances while continuing his research through performance practice. He serves as Founder and Chief Conductor of the Southrepps Sinfonia and joint Artistic Director of the Southrepps Classical Music Festival, demonstrating his commitment to both performance and artistic leadership beyond the academic setting. Johnson leads the Southrepps Classical Music Festival, which provides performance opportunities for emerging artists and presents innovative programming that bridges historical and contemporary repertoire, reflecting his own diverse artistic interests.

Beverly SollView profile

Lecturer

• Musicology
• Opera Studies
• African American Music
• +3 more

Beverly Soll serves as a Visiting Lecturer in the Department of Music and Dance at Salem State College. She holds a Doctor of Musical Arts from the University of Maryland and has held faculty positions at SUNY-Geneseo, George Mason University, and Wayne State College. An active performer, she has appeared as a chamber musician, accompanist, and solo pianist across the United States and Germany. Her academic background includes: Doctor of Musical Arts, University of Maryland Undergraduate and Graduate Piano Studies, University of Illinois Dr. Soll's research centers on American composers, particularly William Grant Still, and German Lieder traditions. She explores intersections of African American cultural identity, spirituality, and musical expression through opera and art song. Her work bridges historical musicology with performance practice, emphasizing underrepresented composers and cross-cultural narratives in Western classical music. Analysis of her publications reveals a sustained scholarly focus on William Grant Still's operatic legacy, alongside significant contributions to Copland and Reger scholarship. Her research consistently examines how musical structures convey cultural and spiritual meaning, particularly within African American contexts and the art song repertoire. Scientific Awards: No awards documented in source material While the text does not specify doctoral advisees or research grants, Dr. Soll has directed performance ensembles including the Scenes Group of Washington and managed cultural outreach programs at Wayne State College. Her administrative work encompassed festival coordination, guest artist residencies, and community engagement initiatives. Her professional activities include performing with Da Capo piano trio, maintaining a vocal coaching studio in Washington D.C., and managing the Black and Gold performance series. At the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire, she coordinated arts and special events from 1999-2008, developing programs for senior citizens and K-12 outreach.

Kate SoperView profile

Associate Professor

• Contemporary Classical Music Composition
• Music Theater and Opera
• Voice and Vocal Performance
• +6 more

Kate Soper is an Associate Professor of Music and the Iva Dee Hiatt Professor at Smith College, where she teaches in the Department of Music within the College of Arts and Sciences. As a composer, vocalist, and performer, she has established herself as a significant figure in contemporary classical music and music theater. Her research interests focus on the integration of drama and rhetoric into musical structure, the continuums of expressivity and intelligibility, and the eclectic landscape of the human voice. Soper's work consistently explores philosophical questions related to epistemology, the nature of reality, and the complex relationship between text and music. Her recent compositions and performances reveal trends toward increasingly ambitious interdisciplinary projects that blend opera, theater, and philosophical inquiry. Works like 'The Romance of the Rose' and 'The Hunt' demonstrate her growing focus on large-scale music theater that engages with historical and mythological themes while maintaining contemporary relevance. Rome Prize Fellow Pulitzer Prize Finalist (2017 for IPSA DIXIT) Guggenheim Fellow American Academy of Arts and Letters awardee Koussevitzky Foundation commission recipient Radcliffe Institute for Advanced Study fellow Soper is a co-director and performing member of Wet Ink, a New York-based new music ensemble dedicated to seeking out adventurous music across aesthetic boundaries. Her performances as a new music soprano have been featured in premieres of works by prominent contemporary composers, and her distinctive vocal style has earned praise as a 'dazzling vocalist' (New Yorker) and been likened to 'Lucille Ball reinterpreted by Linda Blair' (Pitchfork Magazine).

Phillip HarrisView profile

Lecturer

• Classical Music
• Vocal Performance
• Art Songs by Black Composers
• +3 more

Phillip Harris is an active singer, teacher, vocal director, and music lecturer at the San Francisco Conservatory of Music (SFCM), specializing in voice education and performance. He teaches Basic Phonetics/Introduction to IPA, Vocal Performance, and Musical Theatre Workshop in the Pre-College & Continuing Education programs. DMA in Voice, University of Nevada, Las Vegas MM in Voice, University of Michigan BM in Voice, University of California, Irvine Harris is a dedicated educator focused on empowering students through technique, storytelling, and inclusive repertoire. He pioneered a course on art songs by Black composers at SFCM and has presented lectures at institutions like the Peabody Institute and Westminster Choir College. His students have achieved national and regional honors in competitions and trained at prestigious programs such as SFCM Summer Vocal Academy and BU Tanglewood Institute. Harris is a specialist in classical songs by Black composers, with notable performances at Carnegie Hall and Lincoln Center. His collaborations include work with Damien Sneed and ensembles like the San Francisco Symphony. Encouragement Award, Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions Nomination for Best Vocal Solo/Recital Performance, San Francisco Classical Voice Audience Choice Awards

• Opera Performance
• Oratorio Singing
• Vocal Pedagogy
• +3 more

Justin Lavender is a Professor in the Vocal Studies department at the Royal College of Music (RCM). Originally persuaded by Peter Pears and Benjamin Britten to abandon nuclear engineering for music, he has built an international career as a tenor, performing leading roles in operas ranging from baroque to Wagner. His work spans collaborations with renowned conductors like Solti and Abbado, and he remains associated with major works such as Elgar’s The Dream of Gerontius and Verdi’s Requiem. At RCM, he mentors students who have pursued successful careers, while continuing his performing and conducting engagements. Key affiliations: Royal College of Music (RCM), Opera at Bearwood (2013-2015), Arcadian Opera, Phoenix Singers Notable roles: Nadir in Les Pêcheurs de Perles , Arnold in Guillaume Tell , Tamino in Die Zauberflöte As a conductor, Lavender has directed productions including La Bohème , L’Elisir d’Amore , and The Wreckers , often involving RCM students. His expertise in vocal technique and multilingual performance, including singing Mahler’s Das Lied von der Erde in Mandarin, highlights his interdisciplinary approach. Lavender also contributes to global music education through masterclasses, particularly in Chinese-speaking countries.

• Vocal Performance
• Opera
• Classical Music
• +3 more

Jeffrey Stewart is a Vocal Studies Professor at the Royal College of Music, specializing in vocal performance and opera. He studied at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama and the National Opera Studio, earning the Harold Rosenthal Award for outstanding achievement. Notable affiliations: Royal College of Music faculty member With an international performance career spanning opera, concerts, and oratorios, he has appeared with prestigious companies like The Royal Opera Covent Garden and Komische Oper Berlin in roles such as Tamino, Ferrando, and Pinkerton. His concert repertoire includes major works like Bach's B minor Mass and Verdi's Requiem. His collaborations with conductors John Eliot Gardiner and Andrew Manze, plus appearances at BBC Proms and Royal Albert Hall, highlight his prominence in classical vocal performance. As an educator, he contributes to RCM's Vocal & Opera programs. Key performance areas: Opera, Oratorio, Recital Prominent collaborators: John Eliot Gardiner, Andrew Manze, Matthew Best Notable performance venues: Royal Albert Hall, BBC Proms, Holland Park Festival Professor Stewart's career combines performance excellence with academic leadership at one of the world's top music institutions.

• Opera
• Vocal Studies
• German Language Coaching
• +3 more

Johanna Mayr is a Lecturer at the Royal College of Music , affiliated with the Vocal & Opera school and its Speech and Language department. With over 30 years of experience as a German language coach, she has worked extensively with UK opera companies including Glyndebourne and contributed to productions at the Royal College of Music since 1993. Her expertise spans German language coaching for vocal and operatic contexts, translation studies in classical music, and linguistic interpretation of operatic texts . She collaborates with renowned conductors such as Sir Charles Mackerras and Sir Andrew Davis, and her work with record labels like EMI involves translating CD booklets and opera libretti for educational purposes. Johanna holds a Diploma in Translation from the Chartered Institute of Linguists, of which she is a Member. Her 2019 surtitles for Die Zauberflöte at Glyndebourne highlight her contributions to operatic accessibility. For direct inquiries, she can be contacted via vocalstudies@rcm.ac.uk or johanna.mayr@rcm.ac.uk.

Irini Kyriakidou-HymelView profile

Lecturer

• Vocal Performance
• Opera
• Classical Music
• +5 more

Greek soprano Irini Kyriakidou-Hymel is an active Lecturer in the School of Music & Theatre Professions at Loyola University New Orleans' College of Music and Media. Her career spans opera performances across the U.S. and Europe, including roles at the Greek National Opera, Teatro La Fenice, and Royal Opera House, Covent Garden. Education: Bachelor in Vocal Performance; Harmony, Counterpoint, and Fugue from National Conservatory of Greece; Opera studies at Maria Callas Conservatory of Athens As a graduate of Zurich's International Opera Studio, she has performed roles like Pamina, Zerlina, and Micaela in major productions. In 2017, she co-founded 'Opus Opera,' a nonprofit dedicated to making opera accessible through intimate performances in unconventional venues. Her accolades include awards from the Maria Callas Grand Prix, European Competition Debut 2004, and the European Culture Foundation. She continues to perform and direct, with upcoming engagements like Pamina in Mozart's Magic Flute (2020) with New Orleans Opera.

Francisco Javier Centeno MartinView profile

Professor

• Music Pedagogy
• Vocal Health
• Music Education
• +3 more

Francisco Javier Centeno Martin is a Professor at the University of Burgos, Faculty of Education, Department of Specific Didactics. He holds a PhD in Health Sciences (cum laude) from the University of Burgos and specializes in the Didactics of Musical Expression. A leading figure in artistic education, he directs the research group EAPEP and the European project 'Fortissimo: An Interactive Digital Tool that Brings Kids Closer to Classical Music.' PhD in Health Sciences, University of Burgos (2011) Member of EAPEP research group Recipient of Jordi Perelló Prize and ANECA Six-Year Grants His research focuses on music pedagogy, vocal health for educators, and innovative digital tools for classical music engagement. He has directed over 25 years of university teaching, research, and projects like 'Ópera Oberta' with Gran Teatro del Liceu and Teatro Real. Scientific awards include: Jordi Perelló Prize (SOMEF Congress) ANECA Research Six-Year Grants He supervises theses and practicums in Primary and Early Childhood Education, serves on doctoral panels, and leads the UBU Alumni Music and Dance Classroom. His compositional works are published by Nauclero and Capapublisher.

Michał JanochaView profile

Assistant Professor

• Composition
• Electroacoustic Music
• Algorithmic Composition
• +5 more

Michał Janocha serves as an Assistant Professor at the Institute of Composition and Music Theory, I.J. Paderewski Academy of Music in Poznań. He is actively engaged with the Electroacoustic Music Studio (SMEAMuz Poznań), the Polish Society for Electroacoustic Music, and the Polish Composers’ Union. As co-founder of both the Poznań Laptop Orchestra λ-ensemble and the Trans-for-Matha Ensemble, he drives innovation in contemporary music performance and creation across Europe and the United States. He earned his doctorate from the I.J. Paderewski Academy of Music in Poznań in 2019, establishing his foundation in advanced compositional techniques and music theory. Janocha's creative research centers on electroacoustic and algorithmic composition , where he pioneers the integration of live electronics , spatial audio , and everyday technology (smartphones, sensors) into musical practice. His work explores 5-dimensional sound geometry and domestic music-making through laptops, bridging traditional composition with cutting-edge digital interfaces. This manifests in diverse output—from chamber orchestral works to interactive installations—characterized by real-time processing, audience participation, and hybrid acoustic-electronic textures that redefine contemporary music boundaries. His publication trends reveal a decisive shift toward interactive spatial audio systems and algorithmic processes since 2019, with increasing focus on smartphone-based performance ( Five roots ), tactile interfaces ( Tactile thresholds ), and political multimedia narratives ( POLSKA 2020 ). The fusion of Polish musical identity with global new music practices remains a consistent thread across his electroacoustic tape works, laptop orchestra compositions, and video-operas. Janocha leads significant creative collectives including the Poznań Laptop Orchestra λ-ensemble—which specializes in networked computer music—and the Trans-for-Matha Ensemble dedicated to premiering new works. Through SMEAMuz Poznań, he contributes to Poland’s electroacoustic music infrastructure while collaborating with major institutions like the Poznań Philharmonic and international festivals including Warsaw Autumn and CAFe Budapest.

• Vocal Studies
• Music
• Singing
• +2 more

Barbara Kubiak serves as a Professor at the Institute of Vocal Studies, holding a research and teaching position within the Polish academic system under the title 'prof. dr hab.' Her role encompasses scholarly research and instructional duties focused on vocal arts education. Her primary research interests include: Vocal Studies Music Singing Opera Voice Training Professor Kubiak's academic work centers on advancing vocal pedagogy and performance techniques, contributing to contemporary music education through structured curriculum development and performance-based research methodologies within European classical traditions.

• French Language and Literature
• Comparative Literature
• Translation Studies
• +3 more

Bahattin ŞEKER is a Turkish academic at Kafkas University's College of Arts and Sciences, Department of Translation and Interpretation, currently holding the rank of Lecturer. With a career spanning over two decades, he has served in roles like Department Chair and Research Application Center Director since 2016. Education: PhD in French Language and Literature (Hacettepe University, 2005), MA in French Language Education (Marmara University, 1997), BA in French Language and Literature (Atatürk University, 1993) His research focuses on French literature, comparative studies, and translation theory. Recent works analyze Victor Hugo's Notre-Dame de Paris to explore disability representation, and Voltaire's Zadig for philosophical and intercultural dimensions. Publications (2006-2024) demonstrate sustained engagement with 18th-19th century French texts, Turkish adaptations, and cross-cultural thematic parallels. He has presented at national conferences including the International Symposium on Mythology and Ulusal Frankofoni Congress. Professional leadership includes heading the French Department at Kafkas University (2016-present) and directing the Research Application Center (2013-2014). He has taught courses like French Literature History, Literary Translation, and Comparative Literature. Key Collaborator: Mitat Durmuş (co-authored 2009 Turkish Studies article)

• Early Music Performance
• Harpsichord
• Baroque Music
• +3 more

Alina Ratkowska is a Professor at the Fryderyk Chopin University of Music in Warsaw, where she leads the Organ and Harpsichord Department and serves on the University Council. She is also the General and Artistic Director of the Wojciech Kilar Polish Philharmonic Sinfonia Baltica in Słupsk since 2022. Education: 1999 - Fryderyk Chopin University of Music, Warsaw; 2002 - Schola Cantorum Basiliensis, Basel; 2020 - Academy of Music in Gdańsk (conducting); 2009 - Gdańsk University of Technology (Public Relations). Her research and performance focus on early music and contemporary harpsichord repertoire , including historical documentation of Gdańsk's musical heritage and the revival of works by Baroque composers like Johann Gottlieb Goldberg and Johann Jeremias du Grain. She has pioneered the expansion of harpsichord use in modern classical compositions . Her recent albums, such as Le Clavecin Moderne and recordings of Goldberg's concertos, highlight her dual expertise in Baroque interpretation and avant-garde experimentation . These works often intersect with interdisciplinary collaborations involving percussion and saxophone. Scientific Awards: Fryderyk Award (2020) Splendor Gedanensis Award (2019, 2020) Sztorm Roku (2009, 2013) Opus Klassik Nominations (2019) Ratkowska has co-founded the Sarton record company, initiated the Goldberg Festival in Gdańsk (2006), and conducted premieres of works by Polish composers like Krzysztof Baculewski and Zygmunt Krauze. Her academic editing includes critical editions of Goldberg's concertos and contemporary Polish harpsichord music.

• Early Music
• Harpsichord Performance
• Baroque Opera
• +4 more

Lilianna Stawarz serves as Associate Professor and Head of the Department of Early Music at the Fryderyk Chopin University of Music in Warsaw. She is the Co-founder and Artistic Director of the Dramma per Musica Baroque Opera Festival and President of the Association of Baroque Art Lovers Dramma per Musica. Her academic foundation includes a 1988 harpsichord degree with distinction from the Fryderyk Chopin Academy of Music (studying under Władysław Kłosiewicz) and a 1990 diploma from the Conservatoire National de Region de Rueil-Malmaison (with Huguette Dreyfus). Her scholarly work centers on Early Music performance practice , with specialization in harpsichord repertoire , Baroque opera conducting , and chamber music . She pioneers historically informed interpretations of J.S. Bach, Handel, and Vivaldi while reviving Polish Baroque works like Mielczewski's Opera Omnia. Her research integrates performance with musicological analysis of 17th-18th century compositional techniques. Recent recordings demonstrate consistent focus on Baroque masterworks across keyboard, vocal, and chamber genres, particularly Bach's chamber sonatas (2019), Caldara's sacred oratorio (2018), and Handel's suites (2007), establishing her as a leading authority in Central European early music revival. Major recognitions include: Fryderyk Award (2018) for Caldara's Maddalena ai piedi di Cristo Coryphaeus of Polish Music (2015) for Handel's Agrippina Cyprian Kamil Norwid Award (2018) for Vivaldi's Farnace Bronze Cross of Merit (2005) and Merit for Polish Culture (2014) At the university, she teaches figured bass realization and directs opera productions while mentoring students in historical performance. She founded the Dramma per Musica Festival to create performance opportunities for emerging artists in Baroque repertoire. Her 20-year tenure with ensemble Il Tempo (1988-2008) and 26 years with Warsaw Chamber Opera (1991-2017) established her as a core figure in Poland's early music ecosystem, culminating in her current leadership of the Department of Early Music.

Colleen WhiteView profile

Associate Professor

• Flute Performance
• Chamber Music
• Arts Entrepreneurship
• +4 more

Colleen White is Associate Professor of Flute at Kansas State University, Principal Flute for Wichita Grand Opera, and a Wm. S. Haynes Performing Artist. She previously held faculty positions at Colorado State University, Metropolitan State University of Denver, and University of Colorado Boulder. University of Colorado Boulder (DMA) The Hartt School (MM) University of Wisconsin-Madison (BM) Her research and professional focus spans flute performance , chamber music , electroacoustic music , and arts entrepreneurship . She has performed with the Colorado Symphony Orchestra, as a soloist with the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra, and at Carnegie Hall. Dr. White has self-produced two albums and co-founded the Scheherazade Music Festival (serving as Executive Director from 2022–2025). She has received the Boedecker Path to Excellence Grant and served as Chair of the National Flute Association's Career and Artistic Development Committee. Dr. White has led projects funded by over $40,000 in competitive grants and developed events featuring Grammy Award Winners, MacArthur Fellows, and Guggenheim Fellows. Her performance history includes appearances at Carnegie Hall (2019), tours of the Baltics, and residencies at Off the Hook Arts (Fort Collins, CO) and the Atlantic Music Festival (Maine). She performs on a Custom Silver flute with a 14k gold headjoint and platinum riser through Haynes Artist affiliation.