Find Academic Supervisors

• Early Childhood Education
• Music Education
• Creative Arts Education
• +6 more

Amanda Niland is an academic at the Sydney School of Education and Social Work (University of Sydney) since 2016, following over a decade at Macquarie University. With a PhD in Early Childhood Education and multiple graduate qualifications in music, children’s literature, and Montessori education, her work bridges creative arts, literacy, and inclusive pedagogy. Doctor of Philosophy Grad Dip (Music Studies) MA (Hons) MECh Grad Dip (Children’s Literature) Grad Dip (Montessori Education) Her research focuses on music and creative arts education , children’s literature , and inclusive education , examining how these intersect with young children’s identities and socio-cultural contexts. She employs qualitative methodologies like practitioner inquiry, participatory research with children, and narrative analysis. Recent publications highlight trends in embodied learning , arts-informed pedagogy , and multimodal identity formation . Projects include international studies on music’s role in infant-caregiver bonding and a case study on children co-authoring picture books. Co-researcher: Children as authors and illustrators (2023–2024) Lead collaborator: Infant-directed musical activities (2024) She supervises research students exploring topics like self-regulation in preschoolers and disability inclusion , while also creating picture books that address diversity and inclusion. Her work emphasizes children’s agency, rights, and the transformative potential of arts in early education.

Barbara StillerView profile

Professor

• Elementary Music Education
• Instrumental Pedagogy
• Music Education
• +3 more

Prof. Barbara Stiller is a Professor of Elementary Music Education and Instrumental Pedagogy at the Bremen University of the Arts since 2002. She leads the Institute for Musical Education in Childhood (ImBiK) and serves as spokesperson for the German Working Group on Elementary Music Education (AEMP). Her roles include deputy spokesperson for the Rectors' Conference of German Music Universities and project leader for federal-funded initiatives on cultural education. She holds a doctorate in music education from Hamburg and has extensive experience in children's concert design, teacher training, and interdisciplinary arts programming. Education: Diploma in Elementary Music Education (1993), Diploma in Violin Pedagogy (1996), Educational Science Degree (1999), Doctorate in Music Education (2007) – all from Hamburg institutions. Research focuses on early childhood music pedagogy, concert design for children, and artistic-pedagogical study programs. Her work emphasizes creative music activities, cultural accessibility, and interdisciplinary approaches combining music with movement, theater, and visual arts. She has authored influential textbooks and contributes regularly to the nmz - neue musikzeitung . Current projects include BMBF-funded research on artists' professional development and open university programs. She advises on federal cultural initiatives like 'Beethoven 2020' and serves on national/international children's concert juries. Teaching responsibilities include music education methodology courses, dean-level student advising, and practical teaching training. She directs ongoing educational workshops at festivals and institutions across Germany.

Zen T. KuriyamaView profile

Assistant Professor

• choral music
• classical voice
• conducting
• +7 more

Dr. Zen T. Kuriyama is an Assistant Professor of Music at Bates College, serving as Director of the College Choir and Faculty Liaison for the Track & Field teams (NESCAC). In Fall 2025, he will also join the European Studies program faculty. Previously, he was Assistant Professor of Music History at Berklee College of Music. He holds a Ph.D. and M.F.A. in musicology from Brandeis University, an M.S.M. in choral conducting from the University of Notre Dame, an M.Mus. in voice performance from Stony Brook University, and a B.A. in music from the University of Hawaii at Mānoa. His research interests span musicology, Jewish studies, Christian sacred music, liturgical theology, affect theory, and performance. He focuses on topics such as nationalism, cosmopolitanism, Jewishness in European music, and English musical nationalism, particularly regarding composers like Gerald Finzi. His work has been recognized with the Brandeis University Provost Dissertation Award. Dr. Kuriyama has delivered invited lectures at institutions including Harvard University, Cambridge University, and the University of St. Andrews. He has conducted and performed with various choirs and orchestras, including the Midcoast Symphony Orchestra and the Maine Gay Men’s Chorus. His scholarly contributions include peer-reviewed articles and book chapters, with a forthcoming publication on global music history. Awarded the Brandeis University Provost Dissertation Award for his doctoral work, he has also received grants from the Nanovic Institute for European Studies and the Tauber Institute for the Study of European Jewry. His teaching includes courses like "Musical Europe and the Jew: Nationalism, Cosmopolitanism, and Antisemitism in Euro Musical Culture" and directs the College Choir.

Eric RuffinView profile

Professor

• Theatre Direction
• Musical Theatre
• Dance
• +2 more

Eric Ruffin is Professor of Theatre Arts at Howard University's College of Fine Arts. He holds a BFA in Acting from Howard University (1988) and MFA in Directing from Rutgers University (2005). An accomplished director, Ruffin has staged productions at prominent venues including Kennedy Center, Studio Theatre, and Woolly Mammoth Theatre. Professional Recognition: Awarded Helen Hayes honors for directing Langston Hughes' Black Nativity , Princess Grace Award for dance, and fellowships from Drama League and Folger Shakespeare Library. Current commissioner for Studio Theatre and Woolly Mammoth board member. Directorial Work: Specializes in musical theatre and socially engaged productions, premiering works like Bhangin' It and Witnesses . Credits include US Supreme Court performances and international collaborations.

J. Ben JonesView profile

Assistant Professor

• Music Education
• Instrumental Conducting
• Band Performance
• +2 more

Dr. J. Ben Jones serves as Director of Bands and Assistant Professor of Music at Catawba College, where he conducts the Wind Ensemble, directs the Marching Band and Pep Band, and administers the entire Catawba College bands program. Dr. Jones earned his Doctor of Musical Arts degree in Instrumental Conducting from the University of North Carolina Greensboro in 2021, along with a Master of Music in Instrumental Conducting from the same institution. He also holds a Bachelor of Music Education from the University of South Carolina. Specializing in instrumental conducting and band program development , Dr. Jones has extensive experience directing wind ensembles, marching bands, and concert bands. His expertise spans music education leadership, ensemble performance techniques, and community engagement through musical programs. He has presented leadership training workshops and served as a guest clinician for band programs throughout the Carolinas. Dr. Jones is actively involved in professional organizations including the National Association for Music Education, the North Carolina Music Educators Association, the College Band Directors National Association, and Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia. Previously, Dr. Jones served as Assistant Director of Bands at Elon University (2020-2022) and interim conductor of the Duke University Wind Symphony (fall 2021). Before his graduate studies, he was Director of Bands at Ashbrook High School in Gastonia, North Carolina.

• Music Production
• Video Production
• Music Video Directing
• +3 more

Simon C.F. Yu serves as a faculty member at Berklee College of Music, where he is the head of video service at Power Station at BerkleeNYC. He specializes in Music Production and teaches the Music Video Production course through Berklee Online. Born into a family of musicians and film directors in Hong Kong, Yu developed an early passion for both artistic disciplines. His professional background uniquely bridges musical performance and visual media creation, bringing real-world industry experience to his academic role. Yu's expertise focuses on the integration of music and visual storytelling, particularly in music video production, directing, and editing. His work emphasizes the technical and creative aspects of producing high-quality music videos for professional artists. At Berklee, Yu contributes to the Music Production department with specialized knowledge drawn from his extensive career working with top musical talent and appearing on major television networks. His professional accomplishments include touring internationally as lead guitarist with hip-hop legend Lauryn Hill, performing with Chinese artist Eric Mo, leading his own bands (the Exotic Experiment and r.O.T.i.), and releasing three albums. As a filmmaker, he has produced hundreds of videos since 2010 for Grammy-winning artists including Snarky Puppy and Terri Lyne Carrington, and directed David Crosby's Lighthouse Band Live at The Capitol Theater DVD. His work has been featured on HBO Latino, The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, and Late Night With Seth Meyers.

Dan BacalzoView profile

Associate Professor

• Community-based Performance
• Asian American Theatre
• Dramaturgy
• +3 more

Dan Bacalzo is an Associate Professor and Program Coordinator of Theatre at Florida Gulf Coast University (FGCU), affiliated with the Bower School of Music & the Arts. He holds a Ph.D. and M.A. in Performance Studies from New York University, along with dual B.F.A. and B.A. degrees in Theatre Performance and English Literature from Wichita State University. His research focuses on Community-based Performance , Asian American Theatre , Dramaturgy , and Theatre History . He teaches courses such as Applied Theatre, Script Analysis, and Theatre History, emphasizing interdisciplinary and socially engaged practices. Bacalzo’s creative work includes directing productions like Machinal (FGCU, 2019) and The Virginity Monologues (2003), as well as dramaturgical roles with the Guinea Pig Lab and other theater companies. His scholarly publications explore topics ranging from David Henry Hwang’s plays to queer performance and ecocritical perspectives in drama. He has received grants such as the National Endowment for the Humanities Summer Scholar Grant (2015) and FGCU’s Innovative Assignment Award (2017, 2016). His creative and academic work often intersects with themes of cultural identity, community engagement, and experimental performance. Bacalzo previously served as Artistic Director of Peeling, an Asian American performance collective (2001–2003), and has performed in multiple venues, including solo works like Sort of Where I’m Coming From (1998–2002).

Craig RiceView profile

Adjunct Professor

• Documentary Filmmaking
• Music Video Production
• Television Production
• +3 more

Craig Laurence Rice is an Adjunct Professor of Filmmaking at Minneapolis College of Art & Design (MCAD) since 2007. He holds degrees from the University of Southern California Cinema Department, MCAD, Minneapolis Community and Technical College (Liberal Arts), and has studied theater/filmmaking at the University of Minnesota. BA from University of Southern California Advanced studies in Filmmaking at MCAD and University of Minnesota His career spans film/TV direction, music video production, and commercial advertising. Key works include the Emmy-nominated HBO documentary Half Past Autumn: The Life and Works of Gordon Parks (2000), which earned the Tree of Life Award and NAACP Image Award. He directed 30 music videos and over 50 commercials for brands like Nike, McDonald’s, and General Mills (Silver Clio winner). Television credits include The Prairie Home Companion and syndicated series Million Dollar Idea . Award recognition includes Silver Clio Awards for General Mills campaigns and NAACP honors. His professional career also includes second-unit direction on major films like Purple Rain and Graffiti Bridge .

• Events Management
• Festivals
• Event Security
• +3 more

Jenny Flinn is a Lecturer at the School of Business and Creative Industries, focusing on events management education with over 15 years of experience. She has held External Examiner roles at Manchester Metropolitan University (2018–present), University of Huddersfield (2014–2018), University of Plymouth (2010–2014), and University of Wolverhampton (2009–2014). Since 2009, she has been on the Executive Board of the Association for Events Management Education. Her research explores experiential aspects of events, community impacts, event security, and university-industry collaboration. Current projects include a Professional Doctorate on enhancing graduate employability through academic-industry partnerships and a follow-up study on terrorism's impact on community events. She has also researched the Exit Festival's role in Serbia's cultural regeneration and youth culture. Teaching areas include creativity/experience design, event operations, risk management, and global event management issues. She is a Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy and offers CPD courses in event marketing and design. Her work aligns with UN Sustainable Development Goals related to industry-academia collaboration and sustainable cultural practices. External Positions: External Examiner roles at 4 universities Awards: Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy Research Directions: Metaverse events, experiential marketing, and university-industry synergy

Andrew WrightView profile

Senior Lecturer

• Musical Theatre
• Theatre Education
• Choreography
• +3 more

Andrew Wright is a Senior Lecturer and Programme Leader for Musical Theatre Performance at The University of Chichester. He also serves as Principal and Co-Director of The Academy of Musical Theatre and holds an artistic residency at The Salisbury Playhouse. His professional background includes extensive work in choreography, direction, and producing, with notable credits in numerous theatrical productions. Andrew holds a Post-Graduate Certificate in Learning and Teaching for Higher Education and is currently pursuing an MA(Ed). He is accredited as a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (FHEA). His research interests focus on theatre education and the development of talent in students, alongside the creation and facilitation of new musical works. He emphasizes practical and innovative approaches to teaching, reflecting his industry experience and commitment to nurturing future theatre professionals. Accredited Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (FHEA) Andrew has initiated and developed several educational programs, including the Mayflower Musical Youth Theatre and a collaborative undergraduate degree with Performers College in Essex (2017-2022). These initiatives underscore his dedication to expanding access to theatre education and fostering collaborative learning environments. He is actively involved with The Academy of Musical Theatre as Principal and Co-Director and contributes to The Salisbury Playhouse through his artistic residency, bridging academic and professional theatre communities.

Nell CatchpoleView profile

Tutor

• Ecological Sound Art
• Environmental Composition
• Sound Installation Art
• +3 more

Nell Catchpole is an Academic Studies Tutor at the Guildhall School of Music & Drama's Music Department within the Academic Studies division. She is an ecological sound artist, composer, violinist, and educator, known for her work exploring environmental interrelationships through sound installations, performances, and participatory experiences. Her practice bridges art, ecology, and human interaction with landscapes. Recent projects include 'Sound Field: Distanced, Together' (2021), 'Sonic Allotments', and commissions like 'Untold Stories' for East Durham Create. She collaborates with institutions such as Cheeseburn Sculpture Garden and Sonic Arts Week, co-directing the latter in 2022. As a composer, she has worked with renowned artists like Brian Eno, Hofesh Shechter, and Kae Tempest, and leads experimental curatorial projects like Unfinished and MAP/making . Her current project, 'Teesmouth' for BBC Radio 3, examines environmental issues in the Tees estuary. Nell’s career spans three decades, including international tours with the gogmagogs music theatre company and performances with artists like Nigel Kennedy and Fred Frith.

David GilesView profile

Professor

• Media influence on human behaviour
• Media audiences
• Qualitative research methods
• +3 more

Dr. David Giles is a Reader in Media Psychology at the University of Winchester, leading modules such as "Society and the Individual" and "Media Psychology." His research focuses on media influence, celebrity psychology, qualitative methods, parasocial interaction, and online mental health communities. He previously held positions at universities including Lancaster and Coventry before joining Winchester in 2007. Giles earned his PhD from the University of Bristol, exploring children's spelling, and transitioned from a music journalism career to academia. He co-founded the journal Qualitative Research in Psychology and leads the MOOD network for online data analysis. His work challenges traditional audience research assumptions in the digital age. Education : Bachelor's in Psychology, University of Manchester PhD in Psychology, University of Bristol Research Interests : Giles explores how media shapes human behavior, particularly through celebrity dynamics and online communities. His recent work examines social media's transformation of celebrity-audience relationships, qualitative methods for digital analysis, and mental health discourse online. Key themes include parasocial interaction, fame's psychological dimensions, and media framing in news. Grants & Funding : British Academy grant for media representations of voluntary childlessness (£7,131) University of Winchester grants for mental health and internet research (£3,915) Labs/Networks : Co-leads the Microanalysis of Online Data (MOOD) network, advancing qualitative methods for digital communication analysis.

Rob PotterView profile

Professor

• Media Psychology
• Auditory Attention
• Psychophysiology
• +3 more

Rob Potter is Professor in the School of Communication at The Ohio State University and Fellow of the International Communication Association. He directs the PANAM Lab (Psychophysiology and Neuroscience Applied to Media), investigating cognitive and emotional processing of media messages using psychophysiological measures including heart rate, skin conductance, facial EMG, eyetracking, and EEG. Research examines attention dynamics during media consumption, auditory feature processing, and emotion elicitation across diverse media formats. Current projects investigate automatic attention capture mechanisms, emotional responses to audio-visual stimuli, and biological measurement applications in communication research. Publications demonstrate methodological innovation spanning media neuroscience, music cognition, advertising effects, and research methodology. Recent work explores neurocognitive conflict resolution, multimodal emotion perception, and attentional habituation patterns across media contexts. Awards & Honors: Fellow, International Communication Association

• Liturgical Theology
• Music in Worship
• Roman Catholic Liturgy
• +3 more

Jason James McFarland is a Senior Lecturer in the School of Theology at the Faculty of Theology and Philosophy. His research focuses on liturgical theology, particularly the intersection of music and liturgical practice in Roman Catholic traditions. He has published extensively on topics such as liturgical change, ecumenical musicology, and sacramental symbolism. His work often explores the dialectic between liturgical texts, musical performance, and ecclesiological identity. Key research interests include the role of music in worship, the methodology of liturgical theology, and the application of queer theory to liturgical studies. He has contributed to discussions on liturgical translation, sacramental continuity, and the evolution of Roman Catholic liturgical practices since Vatican II. McFarland has authored books such as Announcing the Feast: The entrance song in the Mass of the Roman Rite (2011) and co-edited Living the Church’s song: Propositions for an ecumenical theology of liturgical music (2023). His articles frequently appear in journals like Studia Liturgica and Questions Liturgiques . Recent work includes analyzing entrance processions in liturgical practice (2024) and dissecting methodological frameworks for liturgical theology (2023). He has also engaged in interdisciplinary conversations about queer futures for liturgical studies (co-authored, 2023). No scientific awards or grants are explicitly listed in the provided text.

• Music Composition
• Jazz Studies
• Music Entrepreneurship
• +3 more

Ben Allison is a Professor and educator at The New School's College of Performing Arts, specializing in music composition, jazz studies, and music entrepreneurship. He is a renowned bassist, composer, and producer with 19 albums released, including Moments Inside (2021) on his label Sonic Camera Records. His work spans international performances and festivals, including Carnegie Hall and the Newport Jazz Festival. He co-founded and directed the Jazz Composers Collective (1992-2005), fostering new music through 100+ concerts and residencies. A vocal advocate for artists' rights, he testified in Congress for the Music Modernization Act and chairs university committees like the University Faculty Senate. His teaching includes courses on entrepreneurship, music technology, and socially engaged artistry. Awarded 9 SESAC Performance Awards and recognized in Downbeat Critics Polls, Ben's research focuses on Herbie Nichols' unpublished works, with four albums planned. He has received grants from the National Endowment for the Arts, Chamber Music America, and others.