Elizabeth Burns serves as Adjunct Faculty of Cello at Winthrop University's Conservatory of Music. She instructs undergraduate cello students, coaches chamber ensembles including string quartets, and teaches strings methodology courses. Beyond academia, Burns performs as Assistant Principal Cellist with Salisbury Symphony, regularly substitutes with Charlotte Symphony Orchestra, and coaches youth ensembles for Youth Orchestras of Charlotte. Her performance activities include frequent church concerts and chamber recitals throughout the Carolinas, blending pedagogical expertise with active performance practice.
Brett Gunther is a classical guitarist and faculty member at the Mount Royal University Conservatory, where he teaches private lessons and ensemble classes for the Academy program. He holds a Dip.Mus. from Mount Royal University (2007), B.Mus. (2010) and M.Mus. in classical guitar performance (2012) from the University of Calgary. His professional roles include Artistic Director of the Classical Guitar Society of Calgary (since 2010) and Director of the Classical GuitarFest West festival (since 2015). Gunther's research interests focus on 20th-century guitar repertoire, with notable projects including his debut CD Guitar Music (2012) exploring works by Rodrigo, Britten, and others, and his 2017 release An Idea , spanning 18th- to 20th-century composers. His performances emphasize historically informed interpretations and pedagogical innovation. Award-winning performer, he has competed internationally and led masterclasses with renowned artists. His teaching emphasizes technical precision and artistic expression within ensemble contexts.
Susanna Walker is a Violin Lecturer and Strings Instructor at the Calgary Arts Academy, alongside teaching at the Mount Royal Conservatory. She holds a Teaching Certification in Junior High School Education from the Paedagogische Hochschule in Freiburg, Germany, and has extensive performance experience with orchestras such as the Radio Philharmonic Orchestra in Hannover (NDR). Her teaching career includes roles at Hibernia School and private lessons, emphasizing compassionate pedagogy tailored for children. Fluent in German and English, she combines professional performance experience with educational expertise. Education: Violin studies in Amsterdam, Cologne, and Berlin Teaching Certification from Paedagogische Hochschule, Freiburg Research & Teaching Focus: Specializes in violin performance techniques, music education methodologies, and the integration of classical music training for young learners. Her approach emphasizes accessibility and emotional connection to music. Performance Background: Extensive experience with renowned orchestras, reflecting her dual commitment to performance excellence and educational outreach.
Giancarlo Aquilanti serves as Senior Lecturer and Director of Music Theory at Stanford University, with expertise spanning Composition, Music Theory, Conducting, and Wind Symphony performance. His academic foundation includes: Diploma in Trumpet from Conservatory of Music “Gioacchino Rossini” Pesaro (1979) Diploma in Composition, Choral Music and Conducting from Conservatory of Music “Gioacchino Rossini” Pesaro (1985) Master of Arts in Composition from California State University, Hayward (1988) Doctor of Musical Arts in Composition from Stanford University (1996) Aquilanti's creative output encompasses diverse compositional forms including orchestral works, choral arrangements, band pieces, string quartets, and full operas such as La povertà and Lot’s Women . His scholarly focus integrates music theory pedagogy with contemporary composition techniques , emphasizing vocal expression and instrumental ensemble dynamics across classical and modern idioms. Recognition includes Stanford's highest teaching honor: Walter J. Gores award for excellence in teaching (2003-04) His compositional development was shaped through studies with Paolo Ugoletti, Glenn Glasow, Wayne Peterson, and Jody Rockmaker, reflecting a synthesis of European and American musical traditions.
Joo-Mee Lee serves as a Lecturer in the Department of Music at Stanford University, holding multiple roles since fall 2014 including teaching Introductory Violin and Professional Development in Music courses, providing individual lessons, directing the Stanford New Ensemble, and collaborating with the Stanford Symphony and Philharmonia orchestras while overseeing the annual Concerto Competition. Her academic credentials include: D.M.A. from Boston University (Roman Totenberg Scholarship recipient) M.M. from New England Conservatory BMus. from Royal Academy of Music, London/King's College Lee specializes in violin performance and chamber music with deep expertise in contemporary repertoire, having premiered works by composers including Bernard Rands, Augusta Read Thomas, Samuel Adler, and Jennifer Higdon. Her doctoral research focused on analytical studies of Bernard Rands' string quartets, reflecting her scholarly engagement with modern composition. Her distinguished honors include: Roman Totenberg Scholarship during doctoral studies at Boston University New England Conservatory’s Honor’s Quartet position as founding member of the Tonos String Quartet Through individual lessons and structured courses, Lee actively mentors emerging musicians while directing ensembles and shaping performance opportunities at Stanford. Her career spans significant leadership roles including directorship of the Stanford New Ensemble and oversight of major orchestral competitions. Lee maintains an active performance career with international recognition, having represented South Korea in the Jeunesses Musicales World Orchestra at venues including Berlin Philharmonie and Amsterdam Concertgebouw, while participating in major festivals such as Aspen, Banff, and Sarasota. Her previous faculty appointments include University of Denver, Colorado College, and Brandeis University.
Jon Nakamatsu is a Steinway Artist and Visiting Professor at the San Francisco Conservatory of Music, where he has served since 2015. As an active concert pianist, he has performed globally at prestigious venues including Carnegie Hall, Berlin Philharmonic, and Beijing’s National Centre for the Performing Arts. Stanford University - German Studies & Secondary Education (Undergraduate & Graduate) University of Southern California’s Schoenberg Institute - Composition, Theory, Orchestration (10 years training) His research interests focus on Piano Performance and Chamber Music , specializing in Romantic-era repertoire and technical mastery. He has recorded 13 acclaimed albums featuring works by Gershwin, Brahms, and Liszt, with particular emphasis on collaborative pieces and virtuosic sonatas. Nakamatsu’s 1997 Van Cliburn International Piano Competition Gold Medal marked his international breakthrough. Notable recognitions include Van Cliburn International Piano Competition Gold Medal (1997) Top echelon Billboard Classical Chart achievement (2020) New York Times “Best of the Year” recognition for Brahms Sonatas recording (2008) As an educator, he has conducted masterclasses at Boston University’s Tanglewood Institute and Chautauqua Institution’s Piano Festival. His administrative roles include Artistic Director of the Cape Cod Chamber Music Festival since 2007.
Jeremy Thurlow is an Affiliated Lecturer and Director of Studies at the University of Cambridge's Faculty of Music. He holds roles as Director of Studies at Robinson College and Lucy Cavendish College, alongside directing music programs. His work spans composition, writing, and performance, blending classical traditions with contemporary innovation. Thurlow's music has been performed globally by ensembles like the BBC Philharmonic and the Fitzwilliam String Quartet, and he has collaborated with artists such as Alastair Appleton on interdisciplinary projects like the video-opera A Sudden Cartography of Song . Roles : Affiliated Lecturer, Director of Studies (Robinson College, Lucy Cavendish College) Research : Focuses on composition, 20th-century music analysis, and interdisciplinary arts. His works explore themes like apocalyptic imagery, nature, and cultural fusion. Awards : George Butterworth Award (2007), Bogliasco Foundation Fellowship (2024). Teaching : Courses include composition, music analysis, and 20th-century history. Oversees the M.Phil. in Musical Composition. Thurlow’s recent projects include orchestral works, chamber music, and electroacoustic pieces, reflecting his commitment to pushing musical boundaries while engaging with historical and cultural narratives.
Dr Hannah Harley is a Casual Academic & Casual Research Officer at the School of Music, The University of Queensland. She pursues a Bachelor of Music under Patrick Murphy while maintaining an active career as a cellist. Her primary affiliations include performances with the Meraki String Quartet, Queensland Youth Symphony, and UQ Symphony Orchestra as principle cellist. She also engages with contemporary classical music scenes and has contributed to recordings for artists like Neighbour and The Kite String Tangle, performing at events such as the Brisbane Festival and Triple J’s Like A Version. Her research interests align with her performance career, emphasizing classical and contemporary string performance practices. No formal grants or advising roles are noted in the provided text. She is part of Brisbane’s growing contemporary classical music community through collaborations and recordings.
Patrick Murphy is a Research Fellow and Cello Performance Fellow at the University of Queensland's School of Music, within the Faculty of Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences. He holds a Bachelor of Music from the University of Western Australia and a Master's from the University of Canterbury. His expertise spans classical cello performance, chamber music, and orchestral collaborations. Notable roles include cellist of the Tinalley String Quartet, director of the String Chamber Music Academy, and co-founder of the Nexus Piano Quartet. Murphy has received accolades including first prizes in the Melbourne National Chamber Music Competition (2000) and Osaka International Chamber Music Competition (2001), as well as an audience prize in Melbourne's 2003 International Chamber Music Competition. His research and creative works focus on chamber music collaborations, performance interpretation, and contemporary compositions. Recent projects include recordings of Mendelssohn quartets and a CD of Paul Stanhope's chamber music. He frequently performs with ensembles like the Sydney Symphony Orchestra and Australian World Orchestra, emphasizing cross-genre and interdisciplinary artistry. Key Publications: Co-authored Collaborative Creative Thought and Practice in Music (2014), featuring insights into commissioned works. Awards: Competition victories, recognition for innovative performances, and contributions to Australian music. Murphy’s teaching and mentorship extend to directing chamber music programs at UQ and Sound Thinking Australia, fostering the next generation of musicians.
Dr. Kathleen A. Horvath is an Associate Professor of String Education and Pedagogy at Case Western Reserve University's Department of Music, College of Arts and Sciences. She also serves as Director of Orchestras and Associate Provost for Academic Affairs. With a PhD in Music Education from The Ohio State University, her expertise spans music education, string pedagogy, and injury prevention through biomechanical techniques. Her educational background includes a Bachelor of Music in Double Bass from the Eastman School of Music, followed by a Master of Arts in Performance and String Pedagogy, and a PhD in Music Education from Ohio State. She has over seven years of K-12 teaching experience across multiple states and has held faculty positions at institutions like the University of Illinois and Eastman School of Music. Research focuses on preventing performance-related injuries via body positioning and pedagogical methods for adolescents. Key works include New Directions for Strings (co-authored) and articles in journals like Music Educators Journal . She frequently presents at national and international conferences, including ASTA and NSOA events. Horvath directs the Case/University Circle Symphony and Case Camerata orchestras, supervises student teachers, and conducts festivals nationwide. As a performer, she plays double bass with orchestras in Cleveland and beyond, blending scholarly and artistic contributions to music education.
Kyle Andrew Porter is a Researcher in the Department of Information Security and Communication Technology at NTNU. His work focuses on digital forensics, cybersecurity, and AI ethics in law enforcement. He holds a doctoral degree from NTNU (2022) and teaches courses such as IMT4133 - Data Science for Security and Forensics. Education: Doctoral dissertation (2022) on metadata carving and approximate string matching. Research interests include improving forensic data analysis through NLP techniques, reducing investigative biases in AI tools, and optimizing metadata extraction from filesystems. His work bridges theoretical computer science with practical applications in criminal investigations. Recent publications (2021–2025) address tool-induced biases in forensic software, synthetic data generation for entity extraction, and AI compliance in speech recognition for police interviews. He has presented at conferences like COLING and IFIP WG11.9 Digital Forensics. Outreach activities include the 2021 INTERPOL Smart City Think-a-thon and collaboration with KRIPOS (Norwegian Police Security Service).
Prof. Paolo Ferragina is a Full Professor at the Department of Computer Science, University of Pisa. He leads the Advanced Algorithms and Application Lab (Acube), focusing on algorithms for Big Data compression, indexing, and analysis. His work includes collaborations with MIT, Harvard, Google, and others. He has received prestigious awards like the ACM Paris Kanellakis Award (2022) and the ESA Test of Time Award (2023). Education: Laurea (summa cum laude, 1992) and PhD (1996) from the University of Pisa, Postdoc at Max-Planck Institute for Informatics (1997–1998). He has held roles such as Vice-Rector for ICT (2019–2022) and President of the PhD in Computer Science program (2017–2020). Research interests span compressed data structures, search engines, sports analytics, and DNA-based data storage. His work on the FM-index and TAGME system has had significant impact. He co-founded PlayeRank, a startup for soccer performance analysis. Grants and collaborations include Google Cloud Research Innovator (2022), Yahoo! Research Award (2007–2010), and projects with European Broadcasting Union and ST Microelectronics. He has authored over 180 papers and books like Computational Thinking and Pearls of Algorithm Engineering . Labs/Teams: Acube Lab at University of Pisa, collaborations with MIT’s Senseable City Lab, Harvard’s Pinello Lab, and industry partners like Bloomberg and ENEL.
Neil Garber is a Continuing Lecturer in the Department of Music at the University of California, Santa Barbara (UCSB), specializing in the Strings Program with a focus on double bass. He also teaches at Santa Barbara City College and California Lutheran College. His professional career includes extensive orchestral performances across Broadway productions (e.g., Sweeney Todd , Phantom of the Opera ), major symphonies (Los Angeles Opera, New York Symphony), and collaborations with renowned dance companies like the Martha Graham Dance Company. Garber holds a Bachelor of Music and Master of Music from The Juilliard School, where he studied under Homer R. Mensch as a recipient of the George C. Schirmer Scholarship. His expertise spans classical performance, chamber music, and freelance work in recordings and film scores. Office hours at UCSB are by appointment in Music Building 1261. While no formal scientific awards are listed, his contributions to music education and performance are central to his career. He maintains active roles in multiple institutions without noted grants or specific advising programs for graduate students.
Robert Koenig is a Professor and Head of Collaborative Piano at the University of California, Santa Barbara (UCSB), where he has served as Chair of the Music Department and Head of Performance. He also serves as Artistic Director of the Palm Springs International Piano Competition. A renowned collaborative pianist and chamber musician, Koenig has performed globally at venues like Carnegie Hall, Suntory Hall, and Queen Elizabeth Hall, collaborating with leading artists such as Augustin Hadelich and Elmar Oliveira. His discography includes Grammy-nominated recordings and works with labels like Naxos, Artek, and Decca. Education: Graduate of the Curtis Institute of Music under Dr. Vladimir Sokoloff. Former Professor of Piano and Chamber Music at the University of Kansas. Current roles include Coordinator of Collaborative Piano at Interlochen Summer Arts Camp and leadership in UCSB’s Music Department. Research/Performance Focus: Specializes in collaborative piano, chamber music, and new music advocacy. Commissioned Lowell Liebermann’s Piano Trio, Op. 87, premiered at the National Flute Association Convention. Active in summer festivals including Aspen, Banff, and Campos do Jordao. Awards: GRAMMY nomination for the Naxos recording of William Primrose Transcriptions for Viola and Piano with Roberto Diaz. Advising/Grants: Extensive teaching and mentorship roles in keyboard and chamber music programs. No specific grants listed in the provided texts. Labs/Teams: Collaborates with Camerata Pacifica, Miro String Quartet, and St. Lawrence String Quartet. Leadership in UCSB’s Department of Music and Interlochen’s collaborative piano programs.
Pasha Sabouri is a Lecturer in Violin at the University of California, Santa Barbara's Department of Music. Previously, he held roles including Adjunct Professor at Concordia College (Austin, Texas), Lecturer Violin Professor at Centenary College (Shreveport, Louisiana), and faculty positions at Encore Chamber Music Institute, Omaha Conservatory of Music Institute, and the Brian Lewis Young Artist Program. He is also the founder of the Texas Strings Festival and its Master Series, and leader of the online Teachers’ Lounge collective for music educators. Education: Graduate of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music and University of Texas Butler School of Music, studying under Won-Bin Yim, Naoko Tanaka, and Brian Lewis. His violin is a Johannes Cuypers 1793. Research interests focus on violin pedagogy, youth music education, and competitive performance training. His book Upbeat guides students and families through professional music careers. Students under his mentorship have excelled in renowned competitions like the Menuhin and Sphinx Competitions, with some winning the Jack Kent Cooke Award. Award recognition includes the prestigious First Prize at the National Federation of Music Clubs Young Artist Competition and multiple National Finalist titles in major music competitions. His performances span recitals in Europe, North America, and collaborations with orchestras including the Texas Chamber Orchestra and Las Vegas Philharmonic. Advising and mentorship: Maintains a highly successful private studio in the San Francisco Bay Area and oversees educational initiatives through the Texas Strings Festival, which has hosted luminaries such as Miriam Fried and Ida Kavafian. His work emphasizes innovative teaching methods and studio development.
