Ralf Yusuf Gawlick

Ralf Yusuf Gawlick is a Professor of Music at Boston College, specializing in composition and music theory. He holds a Doctor of Musical Arts (D.M.A.) from the New England Conservatory. His work explores themes of Romani-Kurdish heritage and international cultural identity, blending traditional and modern compositional techniques. Recent works include the oratorio O Lungo Drom (The Long Road), commissioned by the Alban Berg Ensemble Wien, and Imagined Memories, a string quartet reflecting autobiographical and historical narratives.

Education: B.M. University of California, Santa Barbara; M.M. University of Texas at Austin; D.M.A. New England Conservatory.

Research focuses on incorporating Romani cultural elements into classical forms and creating works addressing socio-political themes. His compositions have been performed globally at venues like Berlin’s Konzerthaus and Vienna’s Musikverein. Current projects include an opera based on Matéo Maximoff’s Die Ursitory, marking a first by a Romani composer on Romani themes.

Teaches courses including Introduction to Music, Chromatic Harmony, and Twentieth Century Music. Active in interdisciplinary collaborations, including film scores and Holocaust memorial projects.