Dr. Gail B. Levinsky is a Professor of Music at Susquehanna University, specializing in saxophone performance, chamber music, and woodwind methods instruction. She serves as Program Director of GO Arts of Italy and directs the Snow Pond Music Festival during summer months. Doctor of Music (DM) and Master of Music (MM) from Northwestern University Bachelor of Music (BM) from Butler University Her research focuses on saxophone pedagogy, commissioning new compositions, and promoting works by women and non-binary composers. She has collaborated with composers like Matthew Quayle and Andrea Clearfield. Key publications include: Lyceum Publications catalog (2013) Mountain Peak Music teaching guide (2015) Edition Musicus choral arrangement (2016) Notable accolades include inclusion in Who’s Who in America and leadership roles at the North American Saxophone Alliance (Treasurer, Secretary, District VIII Director). Active as a clinician at MENC Eastern Region Conference, PMEA, and Midwest Band & Orchestra Clinic, Dr. Levinsky also contributes to music festivals and summer programs like New England Music Camp.
Polly Fenn is a Woodwinds Tutor at the Guildhall Young Artists Norwich. She holds a Bachelor's degree from the University of East Anglia, a teaching certificate from the North of England, and a Master's in Composition for Screen from the Royal College of Music London. Her career spans instrumental teaching, clarinet performance, and ensemble direction across the UK and Guernsey. Her expertise includes clarinet specialization, aural training, and accompanying. She has directed diverse ensembles such as clarinet choirs, jazz bands, and orchestras. Currently, she performs with the UEA Symphony Orchestra and previously with the Guernsey Symphony Orchestra.
Professor Krzysztof Penderecki (b. 1933) is a Polish composer and honorary professor at the Krzysztof Penderecki Kraków Academy of Music. A graduate of its predecessor institution (State Higher School of Music in Kraków), he is renowned for his avant-garde compositions across all musical genres. His works blend experimental techniques with deep emotional resonance, earning him global acclaim and prestigious awards including the Grammy, Grawemeyer, and Premio Principe de Asturias. Recipient of honorary doctorates from over 20 universities worldwide Honorary member of leading music academies like London's Royal Academy of Music and Accademia Nazionale di Santa Cecilia (Rome) Conducted major orchestras while championing both his own works and historical symphonic repertoire His research interests focus on expanding compositional boundaries through innovative orchestration, microtonal experiments, and liturgical adaptations. Key themes in his works include human suffering (e.g., Dies Irae ), biblical narratives ( Polish Requiem ), and allegorical storytelling ( Devils of Loudun ). Recent works like the Piano Concerto "Resurrection" (2002) and Concerto Grosso (2001) demonstrate his enduring exploration of modernist techniques while maintaining accessibility. His discography spans over 200 recordings, showcasing his versatility from solo pieces to grand operas. Awards highlight recognition for both composition ( Credo ) and lifetime achievement State decorations from Poland and international honors affirm his cultural impact
Aris Carastathis is a Professor of Theory/Composition in the Department of Music at Lakehead University, Thunder Bay, Ontario, Canada. He has served as Chair of the Department of Music for three terms (1994-2001, 2004-2007, and 2016-2022). He holds a Doctor of Musical Arts from Louisiana State University (1988) and is an Associate Composer with the Canadian Music Centre. His compositional career spans over 100 works, performed internationally and broadcast on CBC and other networks. Education: Bachelor/Master's (Guitar/Composition), University of Northern Iowa Doctor of Musical Arts, Louisiana State University Research focuses on avant-garde composition techniques blending atonal and modal idioms, rhythmic innovation, and electroacoustic integration. Recent works include Time Suspended (2023) for piano and String Quartet (2020), showcasing his evolving style from strict serialism to tonal-modal fusion. Over 100 compositions are published by Universal Edition, Phorminx Editions, and others. Commissions include works for the Thunder Bay Symphony Orchestra, Canadian Music Centre, and Baton Rouge Symphony Chamber Orchestra. Recordings feature on Sarton Records, Centredisc, and Naxos. Active in music organizations, he serves as President of New Music North and has held leadership roles in the Canadian University Music Society. His works explore interdisciplinary collaboration, with pieces like Full of Stars (2008) combining electroacoustic music with video art. Recent premieres highlight experimental techniques in solo and ensemble settings.
Simon Parkin is a Senior Lecturer in Music and Deputy Head of Undergraduate Programmes at the Royal Northern College of Music (RNCM). He leads the Musicianship Department and teaches theory, performance electives, and ensemble coordination. His roles include Year 1 tutoring and panel moderation for recitals. Parkin holds an ARCM, GRNCM, MusB (Manchester), and a PhD in Composition. His research focuses on polystylism and the technique of morphing musical styles, alongside a long-term project composing a piece for every day of the year. Notable works include arrangements for Manchester Camerata, Sheku Kanneh-Mason, and Jess Gillam, featured on four Decca Classics CDs. His arrangements are also published by Faber Music. Parkin’s compositional output includes chamber music, string quartets, and solo instrumental pieces (e.g., flute, oboe, clarinet, bassoon, horn, and bass). As a pianist, he performs duo recitals, including with his wife, Hannah Roberts, and engages in masterclasses globally. His teaching spans composition, improvisation, and aural training, with recent publications on musicianship pedagogy. Professional activities include pianist recitals, commission-based composition, and supervision of a PhD on improvisation’s mentality. He contributes to the RNCM’s academic governance through EC committee roles and is a sought-after arranger for renowned artists and orchestras.
Pavel Stefanov is an Associate Professor with a PhD, specializing in music education, acoustics, and sound engineering. His research focuses on integrating technology into music pedagogy, experimental acoustic techniques, and innovative approaches to music education. He has collaborated with educational institutions to develop creative pedagogical resources and explored non-traditional practices such as homemade musical instruments and DIY recording studios. His work spans acoustic analysis of musical instruments (e.g., woodwind and string instruments) and the application of artificial intelligence in sound design. He also investigates human auditory systems and their implications for sound engineering in theatre and orchestral recordings. Stefanov advocates for informal learning environments and digital content creation to enhance music literacy, particularly in Bulgarian schools. No scientific awards or grants are explicitly mentioned in the provided texts. His students and institutional affiliations remain unspecified, though his publications suggest active involvement in academic and experimental music-related fields.
Stephen Paulson is a faculty member at the San Francisco Conservatory of Music (SFCM), specializing in bassoon instruction and woodwind chamber music. He holds a Bachelor of Music (BM) from the Eastman School of Music and maintains an active role in professional ensembles, including the San Francisco Symphony as Principal Bassoon. Education: BM, Eastman School of Music Paulson’s research and teaching interests focus on bassoon performance and woodwind chamber music , emphasizing technical mastery and musical communication. His career has been deeply influenced by collaborations with the woodwind section of the San Francisco Symphony, and he has recorded with them on SFS Media and London/Decca labels. Personal highlights include his passion for cooking and hiking, a defining moment inspired by Stravinsky’s Rite of Spring , and his advocacy for integrating technique with expressive musical interpretation.
Kirk Sullivan is a Lecturer in Music and Ethnomusicology at the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa. He holds an MA from the University of Maryland (2014) and a PhD from UH Mānoa (2021). His research focuses on Pacific Island music, particularly Cook Islands musical traditions in homelands and diaspora communities, emphasizing identity formation through music. He teaches introductory to graduate-level ethnomusicology courses (e.g., MUS 107, 407, 657) across UH campuses. Sullivan has conducted fieldwork in the Solomon Islands (2012), Cook Islands, and New Zealand (2015–2019), using archival recordings, field observations, and performance-based research. His work integrates musical analysis with sociocultural contexts. Professional activities include co-curator roles for the East-West Center’s musical instrument exhibits and Festival of Pacific Arts, internships at the Library of Congress, and volunteer work at the Bishop Museum. He performs as a tenor in the O‘ahu Choral Society and Hawai‘i Opera Theatre, and as a Scottish Highland bagpiper for cultural events like Queen Elizabeth’s Platinum Jubilee Celebration. Dr. Sullivan received the Korean Presidential Award in 2024, recognizing his contributions to ethnomusicology. His research bridges traditional performance practices with contemporary cultural dynamics, particularly in Pacific Islander communities.
Milan Rericha is a lecturer at Kalaidos University of Applied Sciences, specializing in Clarinet Classical Major and Chamber Music . He is an internationally recognized clarinet virtuoso with a repertoire spanning over 200 pieces, including collaborations with orchestras like the Südwestphalen Philharmonie and Symphonische Blasorchester Kreuzlingen. His discography includes 13 solo CDs and partnerships with labels such as BMG, Deutsche Grammophon, and EMR – MARCOPHON since 2004. Key Affiliations: Principal clarinetist (Prague Festival Orchestra), Artistic Director (Czech Clarinet Art competition), Ambassador (RZ Woodwind Manufacturing, Gabrielis Foundation) Performance Highlights: Soloist in Brazil with OSPA, collaborations across Europe, concert tours in Asia and Switzerland His research interests focus on clarinet pedagogy, classical repertoire preservation, and cross-genre chamber music adaptations. The discography reflects his work in Tango-inspired classical interpretations, historical compositions, and educational outreach. Rericha maintains active partnerships with international institutions including the Gnessin Academy of Music (Russia) and the Basel Symphony Orchestra.
Caroline Traube is a Professor at the Faculty of Music, Université de Montréal. She leads the Laboratoire de recherche sur le geste musicien (LRGM) and collaborates with interdisciplinary research groups including OICRM, CIRMMT, BRAMS, and LFO. Her work bridges musicology, acoustics, and digital music through empirical and creative approaches. Ph.D. in Music Technology, McGill University (2004) Engineer Degree in Electrical Engineering, Stanford University (2000) Civil Engineer (Telecommunications), Faculté Polytechnique de Mons (1996) Her research focuses on instrumental timbre , performance studies , and musician well-being , integrating acoustics , biomécanics , and digital music methodologies. Current projects include: 2025-2031: Music, Humanities, and Sciences in France (SSHRC-funded) 2025-2030: Analytical Approaches to Orchestration (FRQSC) 2024-2026: PianOptim - Optimal Piano Gestures (FRQSC) She supervises doctoral and master's students in topics ranging from virtual orchestration to Buddhist mantra performance . Her recent publications address digital performance tools and timbre analysis in piano, flute, and video game music contexts.
Alexandre von Wartburg serves as a Lecturer in Bassoon at Western University's Don Wright Faculty of Music, holding dual instructional roles in both the Music Performance Studies and Music Education departments. Based in London, Ontario, he teaches bassoon performance within the Brass division and contributes to the faculty's performance training programs. His academic credentials include: Performance, Counterpoint, and Solfège studies at Conservatoire de Musique de Genève Performance and Music Education degrees from Western University von Wartburg's scholarly focus centers on Historically Informed Performance (HIP) practices for baroque and classical bassoons, integrating historical research with contemporary performance techniques. His expertise spans woodwind pedagogy, historical instrument replication, and the interpretation of 18th-century repertoire. As an active performer, he brings international performance experience across six European countries and Canada directly into his teaching methodology, emphasizing authentic stylistic approaches to early music. No scientific awards or honors were documented in the source materials. While specific student advisement details aren't provided, von Wartburg maintains dual teaching positions: instructing bassoon at Western University and teaching Instrumental Music and Guitar at a French-language school in London. No research grants or funded projects are mentioned in available records. His performance activities involve collaborations with international ensembles specializing in period instruments, though no dedicated research labs or institutional performance teams are specified in the provided documentation.
W. Craig Sutherland serves as a Lecturer in the Department of Woodwinds, Brass and Percussion at the Eastman School of Music, University of Rochester, and concurrently holds the position of Principal Tubist with the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra since 2004. Education: Bachelor's degree in Music Education from the University of Michigan Master's degree from The Juilliard School (awarded full scholarship) Performance Specialization: Primary focus on tuba, euphonium, and baritone instruments Extensive orchestral and chamber music expertise Specialized training in brass ensemble performance Professional Highlights: Principal Tubist, Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra (2004–present) Performed with Philadelphia Orchestra, New York Philharmonic, and Seattle Symphony Featured artist at Schleswig-Holstein, Spoleto USA, Cascade, Oregon Coast, and Aspen Music Festivals Former Tubist, Charleston Symphony Orchestra Former Adjunct Professor of Tuba and Euphonium, Charleston Southern University Principal Tubist, Hofer Symphoniker and Rekkenze Brass Quintet (Hof, Germany)
Sarah Wildey-Richmond is an Assistant Professor of Bassoon at the School of Music within Texas Lutheran University. She specializes in bassoon performance and pedagogy, contributing to the university's music programs. Her research and teaching focus broadly on Music Performance , Woodwind Instruments , and Orchestral Studies . Specific subfields include bassoon technique, ensemble performance, and music education.
Matthew Clauhs is an Associate Professor of Music Education at Ithaca College's School of Music, Theatre, and Dance, where he teaches courses related to woodwind technique, wind instrument pedagogy, and popular music education. He holds degrees from Penn State University (B.S.), University of Massachusetts, Amherst (M.M.), and Temple University (Ph.D.). Prior to his appointment at Ithaca College, he served as an instrumental music teacher at the Boston Arts Academy and as a lecturer at SUNY Broome, Morrisville State, and Mansfield University, and was the music coordinator for the Johnson City Central School District. Dr. Clauhs is a prominent scholar in popular music education, having co-authored Popular Music Pedagogies: A Practical Guide for Music Teachers and published extensively in peer-reviewed journals. His research focuses on instrumental music education, technology integration, race and equity issues, and popular music pedagogy. His recent publications examine demographic patterns in music education, gender bias in teacher evaluations, the impact of the pandemic on music technology use, and the historical development of digital audio workstations in music education. Dr. Clauhs serves as chair of the New York State School Music Association (NYSSMA) Research Committee and on the editorial review boards of Music Educators Journal and Contributions to Music Education . He has received numerous grants and honors from organizations including Mr. Holland's Opus Foundation, NAMM Foundation, Little Kids Rock, Guitar Center, NYSSMA, Ithaca College Center for Faculty Excellence, and the Surdna Foundation. Many of these grants have supported initiatives to provide music education to students in underserved communities. As an active presenter, Dr. Clauhs has shared his research at international, national, regional, and state conferences, with a particular focus on modern band curriculum development, culturally responsive teaching through popular music education, and technology integration in music classrooms. He has also served as a conductor for honor wind bands and modern bands throughout New York State and Pennsylvania. Dr. Clauhs has also worked as an instructor and consultant to the Berklee College of Music City Music network, a national program providing music education to inner city students across the United States. His work consistently emphasizes expanding access to music education and developing inclusive, contemporary music programs that reflect students' musical lives and cultural backgrounds.
Łukasz Godyla serves as Assistant Professor at the Feliks Nowowiejski Academy of Music in Bydgoszcz, where he also graduated with distinction in music theory and composition under Prof. Zbigniew Bargielski. Concurrently, he pursues doctoral studies at the Fryderyk Chopin University of Music in Warsaw since 2011, maintaining an active dual role in academia and creative practice. His research centers on contemporary composition across diverse musical forms, with particular emphasis on orchestral, choral, and electronic genres. Godyla's work frequently integrates Polish literary themes and cultural elements, as evidenced by compositions inspired by Tadeusz Różewicz's poetry. His creative output demonstrates technical mastery and innovative approaches to modern musical structures, establishing him as a significant voice in Poland's contemporary music scene. Analysis of his 15 most recent compositions (2007-2012) reveals consistent exploration of religious texts (e.g., Lacrimosa, Rex tremendae maiestatis), literary adaptations, and abstract conceptual frameworks. The works span solo instrumental studies to large-scale orchestral/choral productions, showcasing exceptional versatility in instrumentation and form while maintaining distinctly Polish artistic identity. Godyla's exceptional contributions have been recognized through prestigious awards: First Prize at National Composition Competition (2006) First Prize at T. Baird Young Composers' Competition (2007) Honorable mention at F. Baird Composition Competition (2007) Distinction at Legnica Cantat Competition (2008) First Prize at Z. Mycielski Competition (2010) John Paul II Scholarship (2007) Artistic Scholarship of the Mayor of Bydgoszcz (2008) Scholarship of the Minister of National Heritage (2010) As an educator, Godyla mentors emerging composers while receiving substantial institutional support through national and regional scholarships. His works have been performed at major festivals including 'Warsaw Autumn' and recorded on albums such as 'Musica Nova Pomorza i Kujaw,' reflecting sustained creative momentum and professional recognition within Poland's musical establishment.
