William Harper

William Harper is an Adjunct Professor at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago (SAIC), teaching in the Art & Technology / Sound Practices department. He holds a PhD from the Eastman School of Music and is a multidisciplinary artist specializing in music composition, videography, and photography. His work spans opera productions (e.g., El Greco, Peyote Roadkill), experimental films (Transmigrations, Merganser Migration), and multimedia installations. Recent film screenings include festivals like Sanctuary International, Moondance, and Beyond Earth.

Education:

• PhD in Music, Eastman School of Music

Research interests focus on interdisciplinary art forms, blending music, technology, and visual media. Notable works explore themes of migration, environmental imagery, and avant-garde soundscapes. His courses emphasize digital audio production, experimental composition techniques, and emerging imaging technologies.

Awards and recognition include grants from the National Endowment for the Arts, MacArthur Foundation, and residencies at Djerassi and Yaddo. Recent film accolades include Moondance and Nature without Borders awards.

Teaching responsibilities include:

• Digital Audio Production (Fall 2025)
• Digital Music: Concepts, Structures, Materials (Spring 2025)
• Alternative Image Capture (Spring/Fall 2025)
• History of Opera (Spring 2025)

Labs/Teams: Collaborates with artists and technologists through interdisciplinary projects at SAIC, focusing on emerging imaging technologies and sound design.