Find Academic Supervisors

David MilsomView profile

Senior Lecturer

• Music Performance
• Violin
• Historical Violin Performing Practices
• +5 more

Dr David Milsom is a Senior Lecturer in Music at the University of Huddersfield , specializing in performance practice and historical violin techniques. He coordinates classical performance studies and teaches both performance and musicology. University of Sheffield: BMus (1st Class), MMus, PhD His research focuses on 19th-century violin performing practices , including acoustic recordings analysis and annotated score studies. Recent projects explore Brahms and Franck violin sonatas through historically informed approaches. David leads the Historical Performance Research Group and collaborates on digital performance projects via the MMT YouTube channel. He co-founded the professional Brigantes Orchestra and period instrument group Four's Company . Scientific Awards Edison Fellowship (British Library, 2003) AHRC Fellowship (2006) He serves as external examiner for Royal Birmingham Conservatoire and Leeds Conservatoire, and actively supervises PhD students while integrating research into undergraduate teaching.

Isabel GabbeView profile

Professor

• Piano Performance
• Music Education
• Chamber Music
• +5 more

Isabel Gabbe , University Professor of Piano & Piano Didactics at Mozarteum University Salzburg's Innsbruck Department since 2016, is a German-French pianist and music educator with extensive international experience. She heads the Music Education Department and contributes to artistic higher education through her work with the European Piano Teachers Association (EPTA) and the Austrian Society for Music and Medicine (ÖGFMM). Studied with Hans Leygraf and Rainer Becker Certified music physiologist Founder of "Moments Musicaux" festival in France Active in teacher training across Europe and South America Her research focuses on music education , physiological piano teaching methods , and musicians' health . Isabel integrates creative approaches to piano instruction for children, emphasizing cross-cultural communication through music. Her recent work explores alternative keyboard techniques and inclusive pedagogy. Professor Gabbe's publications analyze piano didactics, including " Alles ist erlaubt, nur nicht Alles spielen! " on practical repertoire use and " Musizieren lernen? Ein Kinderspiel! " on playful learning approaches. She contributes to Schott Verlag's "Üben&Musizieren" series and Waxmann Verlag's music education publications. Scientific recognitions include: German Music Council Artist List (2000) EPTA Austria Vice Chair (2018–present) Deutsche Tonkünstlerverband Deputy Chair (2015–2023) Richard Wagner Association Stipend (2002) Aspen Music Festival Stipend (1995,1996) Isabel Gabbe actively mentors educators through workshops and masterclasses across Europe and South America, focusing on sustainable teaching practices and physiological approaches to piano instruction. She has participated in numerous festivals and serves on academic committees for music education curricula.

Christopher D. AzzaraView profile

Professor

• Music Education
• Improvisation in Music
• Jazz Studies
• +3 more

Christopher D. Azzara is the Eisenhart Professor of Music Teaching & Learning at the Eastman School of Music, University of Rochester. He holds affiliate roles in Jazz Studies & Contemporary Media and Woodwinds, Brass & Percussion. His research focuses on creativity, improvisation, and music pedagogy. Azzara earned a B.M. from George Mason University (1981), M.M. (1988), and Ph.D. (1992) from Eastman. Previously, he taught at The Hartt School (1991–2002) before joining Eastman's faculty in 2002, later serving as Chair of Music Teaching & Learning (2010–2018). He has received prestigious awards, including the Edward Peck Curtis Award (2022) and the Eisenhart Professorship (2023). His academic work emphasizes the integration of listening, creating, improvising, and composing in music education. Key publications include Developing Musicianship through Improvisation and Jump Right In: The Instrumental Series . Azzara’s arrangements are published by GIA and Oxford University Press. He performs with the Chris Azzara Trio and collaborates with Eastman faculty and the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra. Internationally recognized, Azzara has conducted workshops in over 20 countries, including TEDxRochester and Carnegie Hall. His engagements in 2024–2026 include teaching clinics in Germany, the U.S., and Australia, emphasizing creativity-driven music education. His research appears in journals such as the Journal of Research in Music Education and Oxford Handbooks Online . Azzara advocates for innovative teaching methods, blending academic rigor with practical performance experiences.

Francesco SanninoView profile

Professor

• Quantum Field Theory
• Elementary Particle Physics
• Particle Physics
• +5 more

Francesco Sannino is a Professor of Computational Science at the University of Southern Denmark's Department of Mathematics and Computer Science. He is affiliated with the Danish Institute for Advanced Study (DIAS) and holds a Ph.D. His research spans quantum field theory, particle physics, and complex systems modeling. Key interests include Standard Model duality, black hole physics, and epidemiological dynamics. Education: Ph.D. in Physics (not explicitly stated in provided text, inferred from title). Research focuses on theoretical physics, including conformal field theories, gauge dynamics, and applications of quantum chromodynamics (QCD). Recent work addresses black hole metrics, pandemic modeling via renormalization group methods, and composite dark matter signatures. His studies often bridge high-energy physics and complex systems. Main Research Trends: Over 15 years, Sannino has produced 333+ publications, emphasizing: Black hole physics and effective metrics Standard Model extensions and dualities Quantum field theory at conformal windows Epidemiological modeling of pandemics Awards: Elected Member of the Finnish Academy of Science and Letters (2015) EU Excellence Grant in Theoretical Physics (2005) International Referee for Austrian Science Fund Grants & Projects: Leader of the DG Center for Particle Physics Phenomenology (2014–2019) Carlsberg Foundation Semper Ardens grant (2023–2029) Coordinator for Danish CERN Instrument Center (2017–2019) Labs/Teams: Active in CP³ - Center for Particle Physics Phenomenology and DIAS, collaborating globally on projects like gravitational wave detection and pandemic modeling.

• Additive Manufacturing
• Engineering Design
• Manufacturing Process Optimization
• +3 more

Professor Allan Rennie serves as Professor in Manufacturing Engineering at Lancaster University's School of Engineering and holds the administrative position of Associate Dean for Engagement within the Faculty of Science and Technology. With a career spanning over 30 years since initiating work in additive manufacturing during the mid-1990s, he has established himself as a leading figure in industrial applications of advanced manufacturing technologies across diverse sectors. His research expertise centers on Additive Manufacturing , Engineering Design , and Manufacturing Process Optimization , with current specializations including design for additive manufacturing (as co-leader of the UK's EPSRC DfAM Network), industrial digitalisation of manufacturing processes, and innovative tooling development using metallic and hybrid approaches. Rennie has significantly contributed to Engineering Education , particularly examining the integration of business and management principles into engineering curricula and analyzing the impacts of online/hybrid delivery modes on student engagement and graduate employability following the COVID-19 pandemic. Recent publication trends reveal Rennie's dual focus on practical manufacturing applications and scholarly analysis of technological evolution. His 2025 bibliometric study maps a decade of Design for Additive Manufacturing research, while his structural analysis of musical instruments demonstrates cross-disciplinary applications of manufacturing techniques. These works reflect his commitment to both advancing manufacturing technology and documenting its academic trajectory through rigorous analysis. Professor Rennie actively supervises PhD candidates including Jenny Roberts, Eunike Sembiring, and Joe Taylor while leading substantial research projects such as the EPSRC DfAM Network (2020-2023), Automating Design for Additive Manufacture with AI (2023-2024), and multiple Engineers in Business Competitions. His extensive grant portfolio spans industrial digitalization, sustainable manufacturing, and educational innovation, with notable projects including RENDER (powder recycling), TecHnology and EntrepreneUrship Education, and Production Capable Additive Manufacturing of Polymers. Rennie contributes to Lancaster's research ecosystem through affiliations with the Centre for Global Eco-innovation, Energy Lancaster initiative, and the Lancaster Product Development Unit. These platforms enable him to bridge academic research with industrial applications across multiple sectors, particularly supporting his work on sustainable manufacturing practices, technology commercialization, and industry engagement strategies that translate research into real-world impact.

• Medieval Music
• Classical Period Music
• Romantic Era Music
• +7 more

Ann-Katrin Zimmermann is an apl. Professor (non-tenured professor) at the Musicological Institute within the Faculty of Philosophy at the University of Tübingen. She has held this position since 2018, following her time as a private lecturer from 2012-2018. In addition to her academic work, she serves as a dramaturg at the Gewandhaus Leipzig since 2013 and has teaching assignments at LMU Munich, Felix Mendelssohn Bartholdy University of Music and Theatre, and Leipzig University since 2012. Her educational background includes: Habilitation (2012) on "Forms of slow movements in the classical cycle" Promotion/PhD (2006) on "Studies on medieval three-part harmony" Master's degree in musicology, philosophy and art history from University of Tübingen and University of Oxford (1998-2003) Professor Zimmermann's research spans multiple eras and aspects of music history and theory. Her work focuses particularly on polyphony of the 12th and 13th centuries, keyboard music from the 15th-18th centuries, early German-language music terminology, and the works of Heinrich Schütz, composers of the Viennese classics, and Richard Strauss. She has made significant contributions to the fields of organology, instrumentation, music iconography, and 19th-century symphonies, with particular interest in cross-temporal aspects of genre, form, and composition. Her extensive publication record shows a consistent focus on historical music analysis, particularly examining compositional strategies across different periods. Her recent work has increasingly focused on Richard Strauss and Mozart, while maintaining her longstanding interest in early music traditions and terminology. She has published numerous articles in prestigious journals and contributed to important edited volumes in musicology. Professor Zimmermann is actively involved in the academic community: Member of the Society for Music History in Baden-Württemberg since 2009 Member of the DHV since 2012 Throughout her career, Zimmermann has balanced academic research with practical musical experience. She has been a bassoonist and leader of various vocal and instrumental ensembles since 1998, and served as a church musician from 1997-2014. Her work as a dramaturg at the Gewandhaus Leipzig since 2013 demonstrates her commitment to connecting scholarly research with contemporary musical practice.

Nicolas DoninView profile

Professor

• Musicology
• 20th- and 21st-Century Music History
• Compositional Process
• +3 more

Nicolas Donin is a Professor and Chair of Musicology at the University of Geneva and a Senior Researcher at IRCAM (Paris), leading the 'Analysis of Musical Practices' team within STMS Labs. He specializes in interdisciplinary musicology, focusing on 20th- and 21st-century musics, compositional processes, and the intersection of music history with social sciences. Elected to the Academy of Europe in 2020, he has held key roles such as Head of IRCAM’s Research Group and Pedagogical Board Member at the Ecole des Hautes Etudes en Sciences Sociales. His research explores post-Wagnerian listening practices, post-spectral aesthetics, and ethnography of creative processes. He led major French research programs (MuTeC, GEMME) and founded the Tracking Creative Process in Music conference series. Over 100 publications span music analysis, composition theory, and interdisciplinarity, with edited volumes like *L’Analyse musicale, une pratique et son histoire* (2009) and *Théories de la composition musicale au XXe siècle* (2013). As an associate member of Oxford University’s Faculty of Music and the Centre de Recherche sur les Arts et le Langage, he contributes to musicological discourse and institutional leadership. His work bridges empirical research, historical analysis, and social science methodologies.

Stefan HagelView profile

Research Fellow

• Ancient Greek Music
• Music Archaeology
• Musical Instrument Reconstruction
• +3 more

Stefan Hagel is a Research Fellow at the Austrian Academy of Sciences and Privatdozent at the University of Vienna, specializing in ancient Greek and Roman music. His work bridges archaeology, philology, and digital reconstruction to analyze ancient musical instruments, notation systems, and performance practices. His research focuses on: Reconstruction of auloi (double-pipes) and hydraulis (water organs) Computational analysis of instrument acoustics Cross-cultural transmission of musical technologies Ancient harmonic theory and notation decipherment He leads major projects including Ancient Music Beyond Hellenisation (ERC Advanced Grant), Digitising Aspects of Graphical Representation in Ancient Music (FWF), and the European Music Archaeology Project . Hagel has developed specialized software for instrument analysis and serves as editor for the Journal of Music Archaeology . His publications demonstrate consistent focus on technical aspects of ancient music through interdisciplinary methodologies.

Nicholas FuquaView profile

Assistant Professor

• Musical Theatre
• Opera
• Arts Education
• +4 more

Nicholas Fuqua is an Assistant Professor of Musical Theatre at Catawba College, leading the musical theatre program and serving as Music Director for the Theatre Department. He teaches voice and string performance, and has extensive experience in arts education, including workshop leadership at International Thespian Festivals. Education: MFA in Theatre Directing and Pedagogy (thesis: fine arts & academic performance), MM in Musical Theatre/Opera (Arizona State University), MEd (University of Louisville), BA in Musical Theatre (Siena Heights University). Research interests focus on integrating arts education with academic achievement, vocal and instrumental performance techniques, and innovative theatre pedagogy. His work bridges performance artistry with educational theory, emphasizing practical application in classroom and stage settings. Performance highlights include semi-finalist placement in the National Musical Theatre Competition, leading roles in Halifax Opera's Canadian premieres (Thyrsis and Amaranth, The Harpies), and collaborations with Kentucky Opera. Notable stage credits include Hair!, Peter Pan!, 42nd Street, Shrek, Fiddler on the Roof, and Hello, Dolly!. Advising and professional service: No specific grants mentioned, but demonstrates leadership through roles as Fine Arts Facilitator, Performing Arts Department Chair, and arts advocate. Active member of the American Guild of Musical Artists. Contributions extend beyond academia through performance work, maintaining a dynamic balance between teaching, directing, and performing across theatre and opera disciplines.

Rodney Waschka IIView profile

Professor

• Music Composition
• Algorithmic Composition
• Electronic Music
• +3 more

Rodney Waschka II is a Professor and Director of Arts Studies at North Carolina State University's College of Humanities and Social Sciences. He also directs the Arts NOW Series, presenting contemporary arts events. His expertise spans music composition, algorithmic processes, and electronic music. Waschka's works are globally recognized, with recordings across international labels. His operas like Saint Ambrose and Sappho's Breath showcase interdisciplinary collaboration. Recent works include A Note for Joe Alexander (2024) and In Memoria di Linda Garzoli Cardosi (premiering 2025). His research explores genetic algorithms in music composition and dynamical systems as compositional tools. Education: Doctor of Musical Arts in Computer Music/Media from the University of North Texas. Awards and recognitions include features in Computer Music Journal , Musical Opinion , and international festivals. He actively commissions new works and has performed across Europe, North America, and Australia. The Arts NOW Series, under his leadership, connects contemporary art forms with academic disciplines like mathematics, politics, and climate science. Notable collaborations include the Aizuri Quartet and filmmaker projects like Boris Karloff: The Man Behind the Monster (2022).

Anna Starzec-MakandasisView profile

Assistant Professor

• Piano Performance
• Chamber Music
• Musicology
• +3 more

Anna Starzec-Makandasis is an Assistant Professor at the I.J. Paderewski Academy of Music in Poznan, Poland, affiliated with the Institute of String Instruments . She teaches piano accompaniment and holds a qualified doctor degree in music art (2019). Her career spans solo and chamber music performance across Poland, Italy, Norway, Germany, Israel, and the USA. Educated at I.J. Paderewski Academy of Music (MA 2005), Oklahoma City University (MM 2010), Southern Methodist University (Artist Certificate 2012), and Stony Brook University (Doctor of Arts 2012) Her research focuses on piano performance, chamber music interpretation, and Polish music. She has released four critically acclaimed CDs, including works by Scarlatti, Lutosławski, and Gawroński, and contributed to the publication Viola: Spectrum of Artistic Imperative (2018). Her performances include collaborations with violinist Anna Maria Staśkiewicz, violist Mariusz Murawski, and orchestras in Oklahoma and Tel Aviv. Recipient of multiple awards: Third Prize in Rome (2003), First Prize at OMTA (2006), Grand Prize Virtuoso in London (2016) Notable achievements: Lecture-recitals on Domenico Scarlatti’s sonatas (2018), performances at Felicia Blumenthal Festival (Tel Aviv), Polish Chamber Music Conference (2020)

Niklas SivelövView profile

Professor

• Classical Piano Performance
• Chamber Music
• Improvisation
• +3 more

Niklas Sivelöv is a Professor and Subject Group Leader in Piano at The Royal Danish Academy of Music (DKDM), a position he has held since 2008. He has significantly shaped DKDM’s educational programs, including pioneering the Master’s degree in piano and upcoming programs in chamber music. A renowned pianist and composer, his career blends performance, pedagogy, and innovation. He is celebrated for bridging classical traditions with modern improvisation, exemplified by collaborations with jazz pianist Carsten Dahl. Education: Trained at the Royal Academy of Music in Stockholm, with further studies in Helsinki, Bucharest, and London. His teaching philosophy emphasizes personal student development, focusing on tone, expression, and technical mastery for lifelong musical careers. He has led masterclasses globally, including at the Universität für Musik Wien, Yale School of Music, and Shanghai Conservatory. Research interests span classical piano repertoire (Bach to Nørgård), improvisation, and composition. His compositional works include six symphonies, five piano concertos, and chamber pieces. Key awards include the Knight of the Dannebrog (2017) and a People’s Choice Award at the Independent Music Awards (2009). He has recorded over 50 CDs, notable for 'Improvisational One' and Berwald’s symphonies on Naxos. Leadership roles include Artistic Director of Engelsbergs Festival (2007–2009) and jury memberships for international competitions. Upcoming projects include recordings of Skrjabin’s complete sonatas and a collaboration with Carsten Dahl. His work integrates pedagogy, performance, and composition, fostering both traditional and experimental musical practices.

Youngmoo KimView profile

Professor

• Machine Learning
• Audio Signal Processing
• Human-Computer Interaction
• +5 more

Youngmoo Kim is Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering at Drexel University, where he directs the Expressive and Creative Interactive Technologies (ExCITe) Center. His leadership extends to the Music & Entertainment Technology Laboratory (MET-lab), focusing on machine listening, robotics for expressive interaction, and STEM education through music technology. Education: PhD, Media Arts & Sciences, MIT (2003) MS, Electrical Engineering, Stanford University MA, Music, Stanford University BS, Engineering, Swarthmore College BA, Music, Swarthmore College Research Focus: Kim's interdisciplinary work bridges audio signal processing, machine learning for music information retrieval, human-robot interaction, and acoustic synthesis. His lab develops novel interfaces including brain-controlled robotics, augmented instruments, and AI-driven music systems, while championing K-12 STEAM education through technological innovation. Publication Trends: Recent articles demonstrate strong convergence of deep learning with music technology, particularly in neural audio synthesis, instrument recognition, and robotic control systems. Emerging themes include differentiable physical modeling of instruments, neuroadaptive interfaces using fNIRS/tDCS, and computational approaches to creative collaboration. Awards & Honors: 2021 College of Engineering Inclusive Excellence Award 2013 Apple Distinguished Educator 2012 Lindback Foundation Distinguished Teaching Award 2012 Philadelphia Geek Awards Scientist of the Year 2007 NSF CAREER Award Leadership & Funding: Kim has secured research support from the National Science Foundation and Knight Foundation. His ExCITe Center serves as an interdisciplinary hub for creative technology development, while MET-lab advances audio-machine intelligence through collaborations across engineering, computer science, and performing arts.

• String Music Education
• Violin Pedagogy
• String Pedagogy
• +3 more

Brenda Brenner is the Eugene O'Brien Bicentennial Executive Associate Dean and Professor of Music in Music Education at the Indiana University Jacobs School of Music. She specializes in string music education, teaching applied violin and courses in violin and string pedagogy. Her administrative and instructional roles include co-directorship of the IU String Academy, where her students perform globally, and leadership of the Fairview Project, researching cognitive and social impacts of early music education. Education: D.M., Doctor of Music, Eastman School of Music, University of Rochester, 1990 M.M., Master of Music, Eastman School of Music, University of Rochester, 1986 B.M., Bachelor of Music, Wichita State University, 1984 B.M.E., Bachelor of Music Education, Wichita State University, 1984 Her research explores string pedagogy, early childhood music education, and socio-cognitive outcomes of instrumental training. The Fairview Project—teaching violin to underserved elementary students—examines academic and developmental benefits. As an international clinician, she presents at major conferences like the Midwest Band and Orchestra Clinic and American String Teachers Association events. Performance collaborations include pianist Kenneth Huber and organist Christopher Young. She teaches at the IU Summer String Academy and serves as assistant director of the IU Retreat for Professional Violinists and Violists.

Stuart MacRaeView profile

Academic

• Opera Composition
• Tonal Harmony
• Anthropocene Studies
• +3 more

Stuart MacRae is a Senior Research Fellow and Lecturer in Composition at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland's School of Music. He holds a PhD from the University of Edinburgh and has held prestigious roles such as BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra Composer-in-Association (1999–2003) and Lammermuir Festival Composer in Association (2017–2019). His research focuses on operatic word-setting, tonal harmony, and artistic responses to the Anthropocene. Education: PhD, University of Edinburgh (2014) MMus, Guildhall School of Music and Drama (1997) BMus, University of Durham (1996) His research interests include operatic composition, reimagining tonal structures, and environmental themes. Notable works include the opera Anthropocene (2019), which toured internationally and won multiple awards, and Ghost Patrol (2013), honored with the South Bank Sky Arts Award. His music has been performed by leading ensembles like the London Sinfonietta and recorded by NMC and Delphian. Recent projects include collaborations with Louise Welsh and commissions for Scottish Opera. He has been awarded the Large Scale New Work Award (2020) and Creative Scotland Bursary (2014).