Mark Olivieri

Mark Olivieri is an Associate Professor of Music at Hobart and William Smith Colleges, where he has been a faculty member since 2010. He is based at the Gearan Center for the Performing Arts and is actively engaged in composition, performance, and music education. His work bridges contemporary concert music with rock, jazz, and popular genres.

His educational background includes a Ph.D. from The University at Buffalo, an M.M. from Ithaca College Music Conservatory, and a B.M. from Heidelberg College. These qualifications underpin his interdisciplinary approach to music scholarship and creation.

Olivieri's research focuses on the integration of rock and jazz rhetoric into contemporary concert music. He explores the cultural and structural influences of artists like Black Sabbath and Thelonious Monk within formal composition. His work is described as 'Glittering!' and 'Pop-infused,' reflecting a vibrant synthesis of vernacular and classical traditions. He teaches courses such as History of Rock and Roll, Music and American Culture, and Genealogy of Hip-Hop, further demonstrating his engagement with American popular music traditions.

His recent creative works include commissioned pieces like Music for a Silent Film (2018) and the operetta Libba (2019), which explore interdisciplinary storytelling and biographical narratives. These compositions reflect trends in cross-genre fusion, narrative depth, and performance innovation.

His accolades include critical acclaim from The New York Times and recognition for his unique voice in contemporary music. He is also praised by concert pianists such as Nicholas Phillips and Robert Auler for his stylistic versatility and authenticity.

Olivieri advises students through directing the HWS Jazz Ensemble and mentoring in composition. He has received multiple commissions and artist residencies, including at Boise State University, Hamilton College, and Universidad EAFIT in Colombia. These engagements reflect his national and international impact. His professional affiliations include the College Music Society, Music Theory Society, and Society of Composers, Inc.

He is the Artistic Director of the Vision of Sound New Music and Dance Festival and Co-Artistic Director of the Be Here Now Ensemble, indicating active leadership in performance and collaborative artistic projects.