Find Academic Supervisors

• Musicology
• Music Theory
• Musical Analysis
• +4 more

Margus Pärtlas is Professor of Music Theory and Vice Rector for Academic Affairs and Research at the Estonian Academy of Music and Theatre (EAMT). He earned his Doctorate from the St. Petersburg Conservatory in 1992 with a dissertation on Eduard Tubin's symphonies. His career includes positions as Associate Professor (1993-2003), Senior Teacher (1987-1993), and Fulbright Visiting Scholar at the University of North Texas (1999-2000). Pärtlas's research focuses on music analysis methodologies , specializing in the works of Eduard Tubin and Richard Strauss. Key areas include symphonic form, tonal transformation in Romantic music, semiotic analysis of choral works, and cultural identity in exile compositions. His publications consistently explore structural innovation in 19th-20th century European music. His recent articles reflect a thematic emphasis on Estonian musical heritage , institutional development of music academies, and analytical studies of concerti/symphonies. A significant trend involves examining how composers negotiate cultural identity through structural elements. Awards & Honors: Fulbright Visiting Scholar Grant (1999) Best Music Article Award from 'Teater. Muusika. Kino' (1992) Academic Leadership: Chaired accreditation committees internationally (Latvia, Lithuania, Russia, Armenia), serves on editorial boards of Res Musica and Eduard Tubin's Complete Works, and organized major conferences including 'Eduard Tubin 100'. Doctoral Supervision: Guided 4 PhD students in music analysis and interpretation, focusing on topics like Tubin's piano sonatas, Estonian song traditions, and analytical approaches to contemporary performance.

Annette JollesView profile

Lecturer

• Theater Production
• Television Direction
• Arts Management
• +3 more

Annette Jolles is a distinguished Lecturer with a prolific career in theater and television direction, production, and arts management. She has received 22 Emmy Awards and is affiliated with organizations such as Live From Lincoln Center, PBS, The Little Orchestra Society, and Portland Stage Company. Her work spans symphonic concerts, operatic productions, and Off-Broadway premieres, including collaborations with renowned artists like Cynthia Erivo and Leslie Odom, Jr. She is a founding partner of KTW Productions and has led projects like Keeping the Word and The Handshake . Her educational contributions include residencies with The Little Orchestra Society and collaborations with institutions like the York Theatre Company and Portland Stage Company. Upcoming projects include directing the world premiere of Madeleines (2022 National Jewish Plays Contest winner) in 2025. Key Productions: Live From Lincoln Center broadcasts, PBS's Stars on Stage , Symphony Space's Wall to Wall Bernstein , and Lincoln Center's Mostly Mozart Festival. Operatic Works: Directed Così fan tutte (Alice Tully Hall), The Singing Heart (David Geffen Hall), and John Luther Adams’ In the Name of the Earth . Awards: 22 Emmy Awards. Grants & Labs: Produced over 50 programs at NYC's Symphony Space, including Project Broadway and gala concerts of Pippin and Cabaret .

Andreas StoehrView profile

Professor

• Orchestral Conducting
• Opera Performance
• Historical Music Performance Practice
• +3 more

Andreas Stoehr is a renowned Austrian conductor and professor at the Music and Arts Private University of the City of Vienna, leading the conducting department and symphony orchestra since 2013. His career spans prestigious engagements including the Paris Opéra Comique, Deutsche Oper am Rhein, and St. Gallen Theatre, focusing on operatic repertoire from Monteverdi to modernism. He is celebrated for reviving neglected works like Meyerbeer’s Emma di Resburgo and Gluck’s Ezio , emphasizing historical performance practices. His research explores stylistic transitions in music history, blending baroque precision with modern innovation. Education: Trained at Vienna's former Conservatory (now University of Music and Performing Arts), studying piano under Alfred Kremela, conducting with Gennadij Rozhdestvenskij, and musicology at the University of Vienna. Key mentors included David Lutz (accompaniment) and Reinhard Schwarz (conducting). Research Interests: Explores interdisciplinary connections between diverse musical eras, such as Bach’s influence on Schoenberg, and advocates for vocal-orchestral balance in historical repertoires. Projects include CD recordings of Amanda Maier-Röntgen and Andrea Tarrodi’s works, nominated for Swedish Grammis. Awards: Grammy nomination (2016) for Amanda Maier-Röntgen’s Violin Concerto recording. Recognized for innovative stagings of operas like Berg’s Wozzeck and Debussy’s Pelléas et Mélisande . Teaching & Leadership: As professor and symphony orchestra director, Stoehr mentors young conductors. Notable collaborations include the Langenlois Castle Festival (2012–2019) and interdisciplinary projects like Heart and Mouth, and Deed and Life blending Bach with sociological texts. His teaching emphasizes 21st-century conductorship as collaborative architecture, prioritizing emotional engagement over technical authoritarianism. Labs/Ensembles: Leads the MUK Symphony Orchestra, collaborating with ensembles like the Aarhus Symphony Orchestra and Orchestre Philharmonique de Liège. His work bridges academic research with performance practice through projects like the Styriarte Festival’s Schubert revival.

• 20th Century Musicology
• French Music
• Performance Practice
• +5 more

Professor Caroline Rae at Cardiff University is a leading scholar in 20th-century French music , with a focus on composers like Debussy, Messiaen, Jolivet, and Boulez. She also specializes in the musical writings of Alejo Carpentier and Franco-Latin American cultural interactions . Her research combines archival studies, performance practice, and pianism. Education : DPhil (Oxford), MA (Oxon), Dipl. Mus (Hanover), ARCM Her research projects include monographs on André Jolivet and Debussy’s Préludes , supported by the British Academy and AHRC . Recent publications span books on Carpentier, Debussy, and Stravinsky’s reception in France. As Co-Director of CFMR , she has organized international symposia with institutions like the Institut Français and Paul Sacher Foundation . Scientific awards include the Chevalier de l'Ordre des Arts et des Lettres (2018), Cardiff University Research Fellowship (2018-2019), and a French Government Scholarship (1982-1983). She has served on juries for the BBC Young Musician Competition and Wales International Piano Competition . As a pianist , she studied under Dame Fanny Waterman , Yvonne Loriod-Messiaen , and Karl-Heinz Kämmerling , and performs lecture-recitals linking her research. She has advised orchestras like the Philharmonia Orchestra and BBC National Orchestra of Wales on festival programming.

Sławomir KaczorowskiView profile

Professor

• Contemporary Composition
• Instrumental Music
• Choral Music
• +2 more

Professor Sławomir Kaczorowski, Ph.D., has been a faculty member at the Grażyna and Kiejstut Bacewicz Academy of Music in Łódź since 1981, where he teaches composition and served as Head of the Department of Composition from 2011 to 2021. He previously held significant leadership roles including Vice-Rector for Artistic and Teaching Affairs (1999-2005) and Vice-Dean of the Faculty of Composition, Music Theory, Music Education and Rhythmics (1996-1999). His educational background includes diplomas in music theory (1981) and composition under Professor Bronisław Kazimierz Przybylski (1981) from the State Higher School of Music in Łódź. Awarded the title of professor by the President of Poland in 2002, he remains an active academic leader currently serving as chairman of the Art Section of the Polish Accreditation Commission. Kaczorowski specializes in contemporary composition with emphasis on instrumental works, chamber music, and choral compositions. His research interests manifest in diverse output featuring piano, accordion, and mixed ensembles, with notable focus on tango-inspired forms and liturgical reinterpretations. He pioneered the MUSICA MODERNA sessions promoting new music through biannual concerts and lectures. Analysis of his 15 most recent compositions reveals consistent exploration of Polish contemporary classical traditions with strong emphasis on instrumental timbre, cross-genre fusion (particularly tango elements), and innovative approaches to sacred music forms. His works demonstrate technical mastery across diverse ensembles from solo piano to full orchestral settings. Silver Medal for Merit to Culture – Gloria Artis (2021) Numerous national composition competition awards Jury membership at international competitions including the T. Baird Young Composers' Competition (Warsaw 2018) and National Association of Composers USA competitions (2017-2018) Professor Kaczorowski has mentored award-winning composers including Grzegorz Duchnowski and Tomasz Szczepanik. His institutional leadership includes directing the Grażyna Bacewicz International Composition Competition (2012, 2015, 2019) and serving as president of the Łódź Branch of the Polish Composers' Union until 2022. He maintains active artistic engagement through premieres across Europe, China, and the United States. His creative work is organized through departmental initiatives including the Department of Composition's performance series and collaboration with the Artur Rubinstein Łódź Philharmonic. Current activities focus on expanding Polish contemporary music's international presence through competitions and cross-border artistic exchanges.

Paul RichardsView profile

Professor

• Composition
• Music Theory
• Orchestral Music
• +5 more

Paul Richards is a Research Foundation Professor of Music and head of the composition and theory area at the University of Florida since 1999. He previously served as Visiting Professor at Florida State University (2016) and taught at Baylor University and the University of Texas at Austin. His academic roles include teaching courses in composition, music theory, and orchestration, along with supervising graduate students. He earned a DMA in Composition from the University of Texas at Austin and degrees from the University of Arizona. Education: Doctor of Musical Arts (DMA), Composition, University of Texas at Austin, 1998 Master of Music (MM), Theory and Composition, University of Arizona, 1993 Bachelor of Music (BM), Theory and Composition, University of Arizona, 1991 Research Interests: Richards’ work spans orchestral, vocal, chamber, and theatrical compositions, including operas and wind ensemble pieces. His style blends eclectic influences—from Jewish sacred music to modernist techniques—resulting in works praised for their "strong melodic gift" and innovative orchestration. Commissions have come from prestigious organizations like the Florida Orchestra, Boston Brass, and White Snake Projects. Awards and Recognition: Recipient of numerous international composition prizes, including the St. Mary’s College/Kaplan Foundation Commission Competition and Second Prize in the International Horn Society Composition Competition University of Florida Research Foundation Professorship (2017–2020, 2010–2013) Finalist in the National Opera Association’s Dominic Argento Chamber Opera Competition (2023) Advising and Grants: Richards has advised over 40 graduate students and chaired multiple PhD committees. His grants include support from the University of Florida and the Research Foundation. He has also served as a mentor in composer-in-residence programs, including the Jacksonville Symphony Orchestra’s Fresh Ink Competition. Labs and Collaborations: He co-founded the Florida Contemporary Music Festival (2013–2018), fostering collaboration between composers and performers. His work integrates interdisciplinary projects, such as music for dance and film, and he actively collaborates with choreographers and theater artists.

Christopher CastroView profile

Assistant Professor

• Music Composition
• Music Theory
• Western Art Music
• +3 more

Christopher Castro serves as an Assistant Professor of Composition at Chapman University's College of Performing Arts. A composer and double bassist from Brooklyn, New York, he combines academic rigor with avant-garde experimentation. Ph.D. in Composition and Theory from University of California, Davis Bachelor of Music from Juilliard School (Double Bass & Composition) His research bridges Western Art Music traditions with contemporary innovations , creating works that merge: Johannes Ockeghem's polyphonic complexity John Coltrane's spiritual intensity Modernist structural experimentation Historical reconstruction techniques Jazz-classical hybrid forms Interdisciplinary performance formats Recent compositions demonstrate trends in flexible instrumentation , text-music relationships , and genre synthesis . His output spans chamber works, orchestral pieces, and vocal compositions with equal mastery. Scientific recognition includes: 2023 Fromm Music Foundation Commission (Harvard University) Chamber Music America's 2021 Classical Commissioning Award As a new music advocate , Castro collaborates with ensembles like: Left Coast Chamber Ensemble (artistic advisory board) New Mexico Contemporary Ensemble Los Angeles Philharmonic's Upbeat Live series Lyris Quartet and Sharon Harms

Sylwia Janiak-KobylińskaView profile

Researcher

• Orchestral Conducting
• Music Theory
• Artistic Education
• +3 more

Sylwia Janiak-Kobylińska is a Polish conductor, educator, and artistic leader currently serving as the Dean of the Faculty of Conducting, Composition, and Music Theory at the Stanisław Moniuszko Academy of Music in Gdańsk. She is President of the SAJ Foundation Supporting Young Artists, founder of the Baltic Philharmonic Orchestra of the Youth, and an active participant in international music competitions and festivals. Her work spans symphonic and opera conducting, artistic direction of multidisciplinary projects, and pedagogical leadership. Her research interests focus on Orchestral Conducting Contemporary Music Interpretation Artistic Education for Youth Symphonic and Opera Collaboration Cultural Management in Music Interdisciplinary Art Projects Her recent artistic projects, such as the inUnity. Contemporary Music from Gdańsk album and the Homage to Szymborska concert series, highlight collaborations between classical and jazz composers, youth orchestras, and interdisciplinary teams. These works emphasize themes of unity, cultural heritage, and innovation in music education. Scientific awards and recognitions include Meritorious for Polish Culture badge (2023) Antoni Wit Award at the G. Fitelberg Conducting Competition Multiple Rector’s Awards at the Academy of Music in Gdańsk Pomeranian Artistic Award in 'Artistic Hope' category As an educator, she leads orchestral workshops, mentors students across multiple faculties, and pioneered the 4C’s in Music Art program (Creativity, Collaboration, Critical Thinking, Communication). Her leadership in the SAJ Foundation and Baltic Philharmonic Orchestra of the Youth has fostered over 1000 young musicians since 2011.

Brandon A. BoydView profile

Associate Professor

• Choral Music Education
• Community Choir Development
• African-American Spirituals
• +6 more

Dr. Brandon A. Boyd serves as Associate Professor and Director of Choral Activities at the University of Missouri's College of Music, holding the Marie M. and Harry L. Smith Endowed Chair. He directs the MU University Singers, Sankofa Chorale, and Choral Union Symphonic Chorus while teaching graduate courses in choral conducting, literature, and arranging. His research focuses on community-building through choral singing, with specific interests in organizing choirs for homeless populations, studying the social and physical effects of choral singing on senior citizens, and creating authentic field experiences for music therapy and choral education students. His work extends internationally through partnerships with Bolivian universities and domestic community initiatives including prison choirs and senior citizen ensembles. As a composer and arranger, Dr. Boyd's works appear in publications by Hinshaw Music, Gentry Publications, GIA, and Kjos Music Press. He curates the 'Brandon A. Boyd Choral Series' with Hinshaw Music and serves as Executive Choral Editor for Gentry Publications. His compositions primarily focus on African-American spirituals and traditional arrangements, often incorporating gospel elements and contemporary rhythmic signatures. Notable performances include collaborations with the London Symphony Orchestra, NDR Elbphilharmonie Orchestra, Nashville Symphony, Missouri Symphony, and St. Louis Symphony, with multiple appearances at Carnegie Hall as conductor, composer, and collaborative pianist. Marie M. and Harry L. Smith Endowed Chair National ACDA Composition Initiative committee member Executive Choral Editor of Gentry Publications Dr. Boyd maintains active community engagement through initiatives like the Santa Fe Desert Chorale's 'Giving Voice to the Voiceless' program, where he served as Composer-in-Residence and created the Interfaith Community Shelter Street Choir for homeless populations. His international work includes conducting workshops at Universidad Católica Boliviana and Universidad Evangelica in Bolivia through Partners of the Americas. He directs significant choral community partnerships including the Tallahassee Senior Choir, RAA Middle School Partnership Choir, and MTC Women's Prison Glee Club, demonstrating his commitment to music's social impact beyond traditional academic settings.

Marissa BenedictView profile

Assistant Professor

• Trumpet Performance
• Classical Music
• Jazz
• +5 more

Marissa Benedict is an Assistant Professor of Trumpet at the University of Minnesota, Twin Cities, where she maintains an applied studio of 16 undergraduate and graduate students. She holds affiliations with the Minnesota Orchestra, St. Paul Chamber Orchestra, and remains principal trumpet for the Pasadena Symphony/Pops while continuing performances with the Los Angeles Philharmonic and Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra. Assistant Professor, Department of Music, University of Minnesota Principal Trumpet, Pasadena Symphony/Pops Active performer with Minnesota and LA-based orchestras Education Bachelor of Music in Trumpet Performance, University of Southern California (1984) Research & Performance Focus Marissa Benedict's career spans 40 years of expertise in trumpet performance across classical, jazz, and studio recording disciplines. Her pedagogical work includes brass fundamentals instruction and chamber music coaching. Recent projects like Continental Drift (2023) and Homage (2023) showcase her solo and ensemble artistry. She has been featured on over 180 motion picture soundtracks, including Spider-Man: No Way Home (2021) and Avatar: The Way of Water (2022). Notable Collaborations Los Angeles Philharmonic tours (Asia, Scotland, Boston to London) 2019 Academy Awards (Oscars®) Yamaha Educator and Performing Artist Publications Benedict, M. (2022). Beyond Lip Service: A Framework for Brass Fundamentals. Carl Fischer Publishing. Student Development Her graduates in Music Education and Performance majors are actively teaching and performing in the Minneapolis area. Benedict continues to recruit nationally and provide masterclasses across the United States.

• Central European Music
• Nineteenth-Century Musical Culture
• Music and Politics
• +3 more

David Brodbeck is a Professor in the Department of Music at the University of California, Irvine. His research and teaching focus on Central European music and musical culture during the long nineteenth century, as well as rock music. He has published extensively on composers such as Schubert, Mendelssohn, and Brahms, exploring connections between biography and musical analysis, and has extended his scholarship to intertextuality in rock recordings by the Beatles and the Beach Boys. Ph.D., University of Pennsylvania (1984) Previous faculty: University of Pittsburgh, University of Southern California His research spans from technical analysis of Brahms's symphonic and chamber works to broader social questions, including antisemitism in Wagnerian circles, cosmopolitan patriotism in Austro-Hungarian music, and the role of Heimat in Goldmark's compositions. His forthcoming monograph Brahms Patriotic and Political (2025) continues this political and cultural exploration. His publications have garnered significant recognition, including the Virgil Thomson Award for Outstanding Book in Music Criticism and the American Musicological Society's Award for Excellence in Jewish Studies and Music. He has also received fellowships from the National Endowment for the Humanities, the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation, and grants from the American Council of Learned Societies and the American Philosophical Society. Brodbeck's work bridges historical, analytical, and cultural methodologies, with a focus on music's intersection with politics and identity. He has served as President of the American Brahms Society, underscoring his leadership in Brahms scholarship.

Donnacha M. DennehyView profile

Professor

• Composition
• Opera
• Experimental Music Theatre
• +5 more

Donnacha M. Dennehy is a Professor of Music at Princeton University and Director of the Princeton Sound Kitchen. Previously a tenured lecturer at Trinity College Dublin, he was appointed a Global Scholar at Princeton University in Autumn 2012 and joined the music faculty in 2014. Dennehy founded Crash Ensemble, Ireland's renowned new music group, in 1997 after returning to Ireland from studies in the USA, France, and Holland. Dennehy's research interests focus on contemporary composition with particular emphasis on opera, experimental music theatre, overtone series exploration, and ensemble music. His work bridges traditional composition with innovative approaches to sound and performance, often incorporating elements of Irish musical tradition within contemporary frameworks. He has developed a distinctive compositional voice that has earned him international recognition. His compositions have been performed at major festivals and venues worldwide including the Edinburgh International Festival, Royal Opera House London, Carnegie Hall New York, The Barbican London, and many others. Dennehy's work shows consistent exploration of narrative structures within contemporary classical music, with a particular interest in collaborations across artistic disciplines including theatre, visual arts, and literature. Scientific Awards: Elected to Aosdána (Ireland's Academy of Creative Artists), 2005 Fulbright Scholarship Irish Times Theatre Award for best opera (for The Last Hotel), 2015 International Rostrum of Composers 'recommended' for Crane, 2010 Dennehy has received numerous commissions from prestigious organizations including Carnegie Hall, Wigmore Hall, Metropolitan Museum of Art, BBC, and RTE National Symphony Orchestra. His collaborations extend to renowned artists including Dawn Upshaw, Kronos Quartet, and writers Colm Tóibín and Enda Walsh. As Director of Princeton Sound Kitchen, he leads an ensemble dedicated to innovative contemporary music performance and creation. Dennehy's work with Crash Ensemble has been particularly influential in the new music scene, with their 2011 Nonesuch release of his music, Grá agus Bás, named by NPR as one of its '50 favorite albums' of 2011. His teaching at Princeton includes courses in composition, instrumentation, and music theory through performance.

• Music Analysis
• Sonata Form
• 19th-Century Instrumental Music
• +2 more

Julian Horton is Professor of Music Theory and Analysis at Durham University. His research focuses on analytical approaches to 19th-century instrumental music, with specializations in Bruckner, Brahms, sonata form theory, and tonal systems. Professor Horton's scholarly output examines structural and historical dimensions of Romantic repertoire, particularly investigating formal innovation in symphonic and concerto genres. His recent work develops new theoretical frameworks for understanding post-classical instrumental forms. His publications demonstrate consistent engagement with evolving analytical methodologies applied to canonical repertoire, with recent focus on violin concerti and theoretical examinations of musicological practice. Westrup Prize, Music and Letters Trust (2011) Corresponding Member, Society for Musicology in Ireland (2019) President, Society for Music Analysis (2014-2019) Professor Horton supervises doctoral research across analytical methodologies and historical repertoires, maintaining an active cohort of postgraduate students investigating diverse aspects of music theory and history.

Claire FontijnView profile

Professor

• Early Music
• Women Composers
• Symphonic and Chamber Music Repertoire
• +3 more

Claire Fontijn is the Phyllis Henderson Carey Professor of Music at Wellesley College. Her research and teaching focus on Early Music , Women Composers , and J.S. Bach , with a particular emphasis on medieval to baroque periods. Education: B.A. from Oberlin College, Certificate from Royal Conservatory of The Hague, and Ph.D. from Duke University. Her scholarly work explores the contributions of women composers like Hildegard of Bingen, Barbara Strozzi, and Fanny Hensel, alongside historical performance practices and the synthesis of image, text, and notation in medieval music. Recent publications analyze solmization puns and chorales from the Seicento Venice and Romantic periods. Fontijn’s research has been supported by prestigious organizations including the American Musicological Society , the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation , and the National Endowment for the Humanities . She teaches courses such as Italian Popular Song and the Calderwood Seminar in Public Writing: The Power of Music , which trains students to communicate music scholarship to non-specialist audiences. Scientific Awards : Nicolas Slonimsky Award for Classical Music Biography (2007) Fontijn’s collaborations with Susan Parisi and her editorship of Uncovering Music of Early European Women highlight her dedication to expanding the canon of music history. Grants from the Gladys Krieble Delmas Foundation and the Institute for Citizens & Scholars further enable her interdisciplinary work.

Donald CrockettView profile

Professor

• Music Composition
• Contemporary Classical Music
• Orchestral Conducting
• +4 more

Donald Crockett is a Professor and Chair of the Composition Department at the University of Southern California (USC) Thornton School of Music, and Senior Composer-in-Residence with the Bennington Chamber Music Conference. He has held significant roles in contemporary music composition and conducting, including Assistant Dean for Faculty Affairs at USC. His research and creative work spans orchestral and chamber music, opera, and instrumental compositions. Notable projects include conducting and composing for ensembles like SAKURA, HOCKET, and Xtet, with a focus on ecological themes and interdisciplinary collaboration. Major compositions include Carving an Alphabet (2020) for cello quintet, And the River (2018) for piano duo and chamber orchestra, and Night Scenes (2017) for piano trio, alongside a diverse portfolio of chamber operas and concertos. Arts and Letters Award in Music (2013), American Academy of Arts and Letters Guggenheim Fellowship (2006) Grants: Barlow Endowment, Bogliasco Foundation, Copland Fund, National Endowment for the Arts Active as a conductor, Crockett has premiered over a hundred orchestral works by student composers and collaborated with renowned ensembles like the Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra and Hilliard Ensemble. His music is published by Keiser Classical and recorded on labels including Albany, ECM, and New World Records.