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Wolfgang KlugeView profile

Lecturer

• Vocal Accompaniment
• Operatic Role Studies
• Conducting
• +3 more

Wolfgang Kluge is a Lecturer at the University of Music and Theatre Rostock, specializing in vocal accompaniment, operatic role studies, and conducting. He holds a Diplom in Music Teaching (piano) from the Leipzig Academy of Music and Theatre (1991). Currently, he serves as Kapellmeister and Head of Opera Studies at Anhaltisches Theater Dessau since 1996/97, directing acclaimed productions of operas like *Andrea Chenier*, *La Bohème*, and *West Side Story*. His expertise spans Lied accompaniment, chamber music, and composer roles. Education: Leipzig Academy of Music and Theatre: Diplom in Music Teaching (Piano, 1991) Postgraduate studies in conducting (Prof. G. Blumhagen, Prof. V. Rohde) and accompaniment (Prof. H.-G. Kluge) Professional Roles: Solo répétiteur at Leipzig and Halle opera houses (1994–1996), lecturer at Young Artists Festival Bayreuth (2011–2015). His work extends to children’s/youth concerts and chamber music collaborations. Awards: 2025: Honorary Title of Chamber Musician (Anhaltisches Theater Dessau)

• Music Performance
• French Horn
• 19th-century Italian Opera
• +3 more

Piotr Staniszewski is an Assistant Professor at the Stanisław Moniuszko Academy of Music in Gdańsk, where he has been employed since October 2024. Previously, he taught French horn at the Academy of Art in Szczecin from 2017 to 2022, where he was appointed professor in 2020. He maintains an active performance career as a member of the Polish Baltic Philharmonic Orchestra in Gdańsk since 1993, performing internationally in Vatican City, Germany, Sweden, Russia, China, and USA. He also collaborates with the Polish Chamber Philharmonic in Sopot and has performed over 130 solo recitals and chamber concerts. Staniszewski's primary research interests encompass 19th-century Italian opera and the life and work of Gioacchino Rossini. His scholarly work includes six publications on piano music prepared as part of the International Piano Music Academic Sessions in Gdańsk. He has authored more than a dozen published arrangements or transcriptions for horn and chamber ensembles. His most recent publication, in October 2024, appeared in 'The Horn Call,' the quarterly journal of the International Horn Society in the USA, focusing on CD Lorenz. His artistic output includes three significant recordings: 'Sacred Music for Horn and Organ' (2000) with organist Ewa Mazurek-Krasodomska; 'Concert Songs of Romanticism' (2008) with soprano Aleksandra Kucharska-Szefler and pianist Bożena Szull-Talar; and 'Horn Fantasy' (2019), featuring the world's first recording of works for horn and piano by Carl Daniel Lorenz (1816-1866). Bronze Badge of the Polish Association of Choirs and Orchestras (1996) Award of the Mayor of Gdynia (2004, 2021) Diploma of the Minister of Culture (2004) Badge of Merit for Polish Culture (2009) Individual Award of the Director of the Center for Artistic Education (2016) Medal of the Commission of National Education (2019) Cultural Scholarship of the City of Gdańsk (2002, 2009) Staniszewski combines his academic work with extensive teaching experience, having instructed French horn and chamber ensemble classes at the Primary and Secondary Music School in Gdynia since 1993 and at the Complex of State Music Schools in Koszalin. His students have won over 230 awards in regional, national, and international competitions. He serves on juries for music competitions and as a consultant for the Center for Artistic Education in Warsaw since 2021. His music journalism for 'Ruch Muzyczny' includes 85 reports on major musical events in the Gdańsk region and international opera performances.

• Music Composition
• New Opera
• Musical Theatricality
• +3 more

Dr Catherine Kontz is a London-based composer and professor at the Royal College of Music, specializing in nonlinear forms, visual/spatial elements, and musical theatricality in contemporary composition. She serves as a Doctoral Supervisor and is currently an artist-in-residence at King's College London's Engineering Department. Born 1976 BMus (Hons), MMus, PhD from Goldsmiths Her research spans: Audio technology applications in composition Multimedia operatic productions Site-specific sound installations Interdisciplinary collaboration strategies Cultural synthesis in musical theatre Temporal experimentation in performance Her work has been performed by prestigious ensembles and artists including Solistes Européens Luxembourg, BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra, ensemble recherche, Exaudi, and Naomi Woo. Current projects include collaborative research with Professor Zoran Cvetkovic exploring audio technologies and human intelligence processes. Notable achievements: Shortlisted for Quattropole Music Prize Commissioned for European Capital of Culture program Doctoral research connecting Deleuzian theory with mime opera Regular Tête-à-Tête opera festival participant Director of multimedia opera productions Academic contributions include: Supervising doctoral composition students Developing interdisciplinary research projects Teaching contemporary composition techniques Creating large-scale collaborative works Advancing audio technology applications Mentoring emerging composers

Patrick HansenView profile

Associate Professor

• Conducting
• Stage Directing
• Vocal Coaching
• +2 more

Patrick Hansen is an Associate Professor at the Schulich School of Music, McGill University, and currently on sabbatical leave during Fall 2024. He serves as the Artistic Director of Opera McGill and holds expertise in conducting, stage directing, vocal coaching, and artistic administration. He has been actively involved with the Association of Opera in Canada (AOC) and Opera America. His career spans over 40 years, involving over 300 opera productions across North America and Europe. Education: MMus (Piano Performance), University of Missouri at Kansas City, 1991 BMus (Piano Performance), Simpson College, 1988 Fellowship in Opera Coaching, The Juilliard School, 1991-1993 Research and Creative Work: Hansen focuses on opera production, stage direction, and vocal pedagogy. His recent productions include the Bulgarian premiere of Weill’s *Street Scene*, and stagings at venues like the Kennedy Center and Opéra de Montréal. He is known for innovative directing, such as incorporating audience spaces in *Lucretia* and dramatic lighting in *Bluebeard’s Castle*. Awards: Two-time Schulich School of Music 'Excellence in Teaching' Award McGill Award for Equity Programming Advising and Mentorship: Teaches Opera McGill courses, graduate seminars on Bel Canto and Shakespeare in Opera, and provides private vocal coaching for advanced students. His artistic mentorship extends to programs like Bel Canto in Tuscany. Labs/Teams: Leads Opera McGill, a renowned training ground for operatic artists. Collaborates with institutions like Glimmerglass Opera and Florida Grand Opera. Current projects include directing *The Barber of Seville* (2024) and *Platée* (2025).

Krzysztof CicheńskiView profile

Assistant Professor

• Interdisciplinary Art
• Opera Direction
• Scenography
• +3 more

Krzysztof Cicheński is an interdisciplinary artist, academic lecturer, and opera director affiliated with the Faculty of Interior Design and Scenography at Magdalena Abakanowicz University of Arts in Poznań (UAP). Since 2025, he holds the rank of Assistant Professor at the Department of Scenography, where he teaches courses such as 'Selected issues in the history of theatre and drama' and 'Introduction to directing.' Education : Doctoral degree in art (visual arts and art conservation) from UAP (2024); Inter-Faculty Interdisciplinary Studies in Humanities (Master's) at Adam Mickiewicz University in Poznań (2005–2010). His artistic practice merges opera direction, playwright, libretto writing, set design, and sound art. He specializes in interdisciplinary performances that blend spatial activities, sound installations, and operatic installations, often exploring themes like forgotten works, historical narratives, and socio-cultural commentary. Notable projects include the 2024 opera Wedding (libretto and direction), the 2023 interdisciplinary Landscape , and the 2022 research-based performance The Devil's Wheel , which interrogates the ontological status of lost artworks. His work frequently involves collaborations with institutions like the Zbigniew Raszewski Theatre Institute and Grand Theatre in Warsaw. Scientific Awards : Scholarship of the Ministry of Culture and National Heritage (2024, 2020) Scholarship of the Marshal of the Wielkopolska Voivodeship (2013) He co-founded the Automaton Theatre (2005–2018) and has taught at institutions including Adam Mickiewicz University and the Academy of Music in Poznań. His projects are supported by programs like 'Placówka,' which funds innovative theatrical explorations.

Madeleine BernstorffView profile

Lecturer

• Documentary Film
• Avant-garde Cinema
• Feminist Film Studies
• +3 more

Madeleine Bernstorff is a cultural producer, film curator, author, and lecturer at the Institute for Music and Media at Robert Schumann University Düsseldorf. Her work bridges research-based film curating, feminist film history, and avant-garde cinema, with a focus on resistance movements and political documentary forms. Education : Studied media art at the Academy of Fine Arts Munich, University of Munich, and F+F School of Design Zurich Research : Avant-garde cinema, feminist film movements, migrant representation, and socio-political documentation Teaching : Guest professorships at Berlin University of the Arts, Munich Academy of Fine Arts, and international institutions Collaborations : Co-founded Sputnik cinema (1984) and Blickpilotin feminist film collective (1989) Publications : Edited works on Trinh T. Minh-ha, René Vautier, and Afghan cinema Her filmography includes The Fanaticism of the Suffragettes (2010), Candan (2005), and Zitronenfilm (1997), exploring themes of gender, migration, and historical memory through Super8 and video art. She has curated exhibitions at Tromsø Kunstforening and programmed films at institutions like the Arsenal Cinema Berlin and Oberhausen Short Film Festival.

Eve KleinView profile

Associate Professor

• Music Technology
• Classical Music
• Interactive Performance Art
• +5 more

Dr. Eve Klein is an Associate Professor and Senior Lecturer in Music Technology and Popular Music at The University of Queensland (UQ) School of Music. She leads a research cluster in interactive composition, focusing on virtual/augmented reality works and guiding postgraduate composers. Her work bridges classical music traditions with digital innovation, addressing themes like gender in technology, identity, and participatory cultures. Dr. Klein holds a PhD in Music and Sound and has pioneered immersive art music experiences for festivals such as MONA FOMA and VIVID Sydney. Her artistic works include Vocal Womb (a laryngoscopy-based opera exploring voice and power) and City Symphony (an AR soundwalk overlaying Brisbane’s CBD). She is a recipient of the 2023 Art Music Award for Experimental Practice and the IASPM 2016 Open Publication Prize. Her research spans music technology curriculum design, future work skills in the arts, and epistemic fluency through transdisciplinary collaboration. She co-founded the Touch Ensemble, a technology-focused performance group collaborating with engineering students. Dr. Klein’s work frequently addresses social justice themes, including gendered violence and climate change. Education: PhD in Music and Sound Awards: 2023 Art Music Award, IASPM 2016 Prize, UQ Program Innovation Award Her articles critically examine virtual orchestras’ impact on classical norms, while her creative works challenge traditional performance boundaries. Klein collaborates internationally with festivals, scientists, and NGOs to create transformative cultural projects.

Laura PerniceView profile

Researcher

• Performing Arts
• Theater Studies
• Digital Media in Performance
• +7 more

Laura Pernice is a Researcher in Performing Arts at the Department of Humanities, University of Catania, where she teaches History of Theater and Entertainment, Performing Arts and New Media, and Forms of Multimedia Performance in the L-20 and LM-65 degree programs. She holds a PhD in Cultural Heritage and Production Sciences from the University of Catania and has obtained the National Scientific Qualification for Associate Professor in the sector 10/C1 (Theater, Music, Cinema, Television and Audiovisual Media). Her research focuses on interdisciplinary approaches at the intersection of theater studies and digital media. Key areas include multimedia performance, intermediality, contemporary Italian theater, and the integration of new technologies in opera and theatrical production. The recent publications and research projects indicate a strong trend in digital transformation in performing arts, especially in opera remediation, transmedia strategies, and social media use in theater. Her work explores how technology reshapes audience engagement and performance aesthetics. She has supervised multiple theses on topics such as streaming opera, digital dramaturgy, and transmedia musicals, reflecting her engagement with contemporary performance forms. Research grants and projects include the national 'Living Cabiria' (PNRR), the VIRTUA(*)RT project (Pia.ce.ri. 2024–2026), and prior involvement in the ARIE and PuppetPlays projects. Laura Pernice is a member of the research group for: VIRTUA(*)RT – Virtual Rooms for Arts (2024–ongoing) Living Cabiria – PNRR Spoke 2: Creativity and Intangible Cultural Heritage (2023–ongoing) ARIE – Audience, Remediation, Iconography, Environment in Contemporary Opera (2021–2023) PuppetPlays – ERC Advanced Grant (2019) She has also served on the editorial board of Arabeschi. International Journal of Studies on Literature and Visuality since 2015.

• Game Studies
• Digital Humanities
• Ludomusicology
• +4 more

Dr. Melanie Fritsch is a Junior Professor at Heinrich-Heine-Universität Düsseldorf since October 2020, specializing in Media Cultural Studies with a focus on Game Studies and related fields. Her career spans roles as a PR & Communications Manager in the gaming industry, lecturer at Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, and research assistant at Universität Bayreuth and Leipzig. Education: Theaterwissenschaft, Musikwissenschaft, and Neuere Deutsche Literatur at Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, and Sapienza Università di Roma (2000–2008) Doctorate: 2018 at Universität Bayreuth with dissertation 'Performing Bytes. Musikperformances der Computerspielkultur' Current Research: Ludomusicology, performance theory, fan studies, environmental narratives in games Melanie’s research bridges game studies, digital humanities, and musicology, emphasizing games as performative cultural practices. Her work explores intersections of music and gameplay, fan engagement dynamics, and liveness in digital spaces. Key publication trends include: Game music analysis (e.g., 'The Cambridge Companion to Video Game Music') Performance theory in gaming ('Live Performance Games') Environmental narratives in virtual worlds Historical game music studies (1980s Japanese game music) Interdisciplinary methodologies combining musicology and game design She has contributed to major conferences and symposia, including keynote presentations at Universidad de Chile and Kunstuniversität Graz. Her editorial work includes co-editing the peer-reviewed series 'Studies in Game Sound and Music'.

Leila ZammarView profile

Professor

• Scenography
• Opera
• Renaissance Studies
• +7 more

Leila Zammar is a Professor at Loyola University Chicago, with a PhD earned at the University of Warwick under supervisors David Lines and Margaret Shewring. Her academic journey began with researching set design and staging techniques for early operas, particularly focusing on the Barberini family’s patronage. Research spans scenography, Renaissance and Baroque theater, political iconography, and women’s contributions to the arts Key publications analyze Barberini’s theatrical propaganda, Bernini’s scenographic inventions, and urban toponymy of female artists Her work integrates archival research to reconstruct staging techniques from 1628–1656 in Rome, while also exploring intersections between music, literature, and cultural identity through studies of women musicians in Cagliari’s urban nomenclature.

Robin HumphreysView profile

Professor

• Vocal Coaching
• Opera
• Accompaniment
• +3 more

Robin Humphreys is a Professor at the Royal Northern College of Music and a senior music coach within the School of Vocal Studies and Opera . He holds a BMus Hons from the University of Birmingham and a prestigious Diploma in Professional Performance (PPRNCM) from the Royal Northern College of Music. Education : BMus Hons, University of Birmingham Diploma in Professional Performance, Royal Northern College of Music Humphreys has had a 40-year career as an accompanist and répétiteur, praised as "world-class" by Louise Flind for "Opera Today". His work spans classical and operatic repertoire, with notable collaborations including the Manchester Camerata , Feelgood Theatre Productions , and Clonter Opera Theatre in Cheshire. As a vocal coach, he specializes in 1-1 coaching , excerpt preparation , and operatic repertoire performance. He served as chief répétiteur for most college opera productions from the late 1990s until 2013 and toured globally with Opera & Concert Productions (Worldwide) Ltd from 1990–2000. His affiliations include the British & International Federation of Festivals , where he was a member for 35 years, and the RNCM , where he studied piano accompaniment under David Lloyd.

• Composition
• Operatic Composition
• Choral Music
• +3 more

Professor Julian Philips is Head of Composition at the Guildhall School of Music & Drama, where he also holds a Professorship (conferred 2014). A Welsh-born composer with degrees from Emmanuel College, Cambridge (FGS, DPhil, MA Cantab), he specializes in operatic, choral, and vocal works. His compositions blend literary sources with innovative musical structures, particularly in settings of Emily Dickinson, Dylan Thomas, and John Clare. Notable roles include Glyndebourne Opera's first Composer-in-Residence (2006-2009) and creator of the Guildhall School's Opera-Making & Writing MA program. Education: FGS, DPhil, MA (Cantab) from Emmanuel College, Cambridge Research focuses on text-music relationships , with acclaimed works like Turning Fifty (2019), How the Whale Became (2013), and the Middle English opera The Tale of Januarie (2017). His ballets ( Les Liaisons Dangereuses , The Snow Queen ) and symphonic works ( Ballades Concertantes ) further showcase his versatility. Recent projects include Henny Penny (2021 children's opera) and Ted Hughes settings for the Little Missenden Festival. Awards: Honorary Fellow (Guildhall, 2007), British Composer Award nomination (2009). Advising & Grants: Established the Royal Opera House Doctoral Composer-in-Residence scheme. Current projects include Vaughan Williams anniversary work Looking West (2022) and a horn/tenor/piano piece for Oxford Lieder Festival.

• Speech analysis
• Experimental phonetics
• Foreign accent
• +3 more

Lya Meister is a Research Fellow at Tallinn University of Technology's School of Information Technologies, Department of Software Science. She has held this position since 2017, continuing her career from the Institute of Cybernetics at TUT where she served as a Research Fellow (2009–2016) and Extraordinary Research Fellow (2005–2008). Her academic background includes a Doctor's Degree in 2011 (University of Tartu) and a Research Master's Degree in 2005 (Tallinn University). Education: PhD: University of Tartu, 2005–2011 Master's: Tallinn Pedagogical University, Estonian Philology, 2002–2005 Bachelor's: Tallinn Pedagogical University, Russian Philology, 1975–1979 Her research focuses on experimental phonetics, speech corpora analysis, and the acoustic characteristics of speech production. Notable projects include the Improving the intelligibility of sung text (2022–2026) and contributions to the Estonian Elderly Speech Corpus. She has organized major conferences like the Phonetics Symposium 2024 and served on international committees for speech technology initiatives. Her awards include the 2023 School of Information Technologies Paper of the Year and the 2012 Best Paper Award from the Institute of Cybernetics. Her work spans over 68 publications, with recent emphasis on plosive closure duration in singing, vowel-consonant intensity ratios, and developmental phonetic changes in adolescents.

• Music Production
• Music Technology and Creativity
• 20th Century British Art Music
• +5 more

Dr. Mark Marrington is an Associate Professor in Music Production at York St John University, Faculty of Arts. He is a composer, guitarist, and scholar with expertise in musicology of record production, music technology, and 20th-century British art music. His research explores classical guitar recording practices, digital audio workstations (DAW), and heavy metal music aesthetics. He previously taught at Leeds College of Music and the University of Leeds, and has contributed to academic publications on topics ranging from Denis ApIvor's compositional techniques to the role of technology in music production. Research interests include the evolution of classical guitar recording from the early 20th century to today, the impact of DAWs on creativity, and the intersection of technology and heavy metal music. His book *Recording the Classical Guitar* (2021) was a finalist for the ARSC Award. He also serves as a series editor for academic books on music production, including *Gender in Music Production*. Professional activities include roles as an external examiner for several UK universities and contributions to pedagogical guitar publications like *Guitar from Scratch*. His artistic output includes compositions such as *Cars* (2012, created from car sounds) and the *MadeinMIDI* project. He has curated archival materials for Denis ApIvor’s works and lectures widely on topics like metal music production and classical guitar history. Awards: Finalist in 2022 ARSC Award for *Recording the Classical Guitar*. Grants/Projects: Curated the Denis ApIvor archive at University of Leeds, contributed to multiple music technology research initiatives. Labs/Teams: Involved in music production and technology research groups at York St John and collaborating institutions.

Anshuman BhatiaView profile

Assistant Professor

• Lighting Design
• Scenic Design
• Theatre Design
• +2 more

Anshuman Bhatia serves as Assistant Professor in the Department of Theatre & Dance at College of the Holy Cross, where he teaches design and production courses. Holding an MFA from New York University, he maintains an active professional career as a lighting and scenic designer for major performance institutions globally. Education MFA, New York University Artistic Expertise Professor Bhatia specializes in creating immersive visual environments for theatrical, operatic, and dance productions. His work bridges technical precision with narrative depth across classical and contemporary repertoire, demonstrated through collaborations with premier venues including Santa Fe Opera, The Juilliard School, and Beijing National Center for the Performing Arts. He focuses on translating textual and musical themes into spatial and atmospheric experiences through innovative lighting and set design. Professional Portfolio His designs have been featured in productions such as Eugene Onegin (The Juilliard School), The Barber of Seville (Opera Columbus), Ordinary Days (Keen Company), and Kept (Virginia Arts Festival). He has collaborated with over 25 major institutions including Arena Stage, Dublin Civic Theater, and The Park Avenue Armory, showcasing versatility across opera, musical theater, and experimental dance. Awards Recognition No scientific awards or fellowships were documented in the source materials.