Paris Wilcox '95 serves as a Lecturer in the Department of Dance and Movement Studies at Hamilton College. With a career spanning over a decade in professional ballet, including principal roles with Kansas City Ballet and positions at Ballet Arizona, he brings extensive practical experience to his teaching. Contact: Root Hall 108, Phone 315-859-4557 Email: pwilcox@hamilton.edu His academic and artistic focus includes: Elementary Ballet instruction Intermediate Ballet training Historical context of Ballet in the Twentieth Century Wilcox's career bridges performance excellence with educational outreach, having worked as an Education and Public Relations Coordinator for Ballet Arizona until 2010.
Dr Marion Kant is a Lecturer in the Department of German at the University of Cambridge's Faculty of Modern and Medieval Languages and Linguistics. Her work bridges musicology and dance history, focusing on body politics, the history and aesthetics of performance (theatre, opera, dance, ballet), German-Jewish relations, Nazi ideology, and anti-fascist exile. Her research explores the intersection of physical culture, nationalism, and avant-garde arts. She is currently editing a six-volume Cultural History of Dance for Bloomsbury, examining German nationalism and movement concepts from the 19th and 20th centuries. Her publications span German physical cultures, nationalist ideologies, and the role of dance in exile communities. Key Research Themes: Body aesthetics, German-Jewish assimilation, Nazi cultural policies, avant-garde movements, and transnational exile networks. Notable Projects: Analysis of Nazi-era dance policies, documentation of anti-fascist artists in Los Angeles, and historical studies of German physical cultures.
Sunny Stalter-Pace serves as the Hargis Professor of American Literature in Auburn University's College of Liberal Arts, English Department. A specialist in modernist performance, literature, and urban space, she authored Imitation Artist: Gertrude Hoffmann's Life in Vaudeville and Dance (2020) and is currently completing a cultural history of the New York Hippodrome. Her work bridges academic research with public engagement through blogs, interviews, and collaborations with institutions like the Library of Congress. Her educational foundation includes: Ph.D. in English, Rutgers University (2007) M.A. in English, Rutgers University (2003) B.A. in English and French, Loyola University Chicago (1997), magna cum laude Stalter-Pace's research interrogates intersections of mobility, gender, and performance in 20th-century American culture. She examines how vaudeville, subway systems, and theatrical spectacles shaped public identity, with particular attention to women's experiences and spatial politics. Her methodology combines literary analysis, archival research, and visual studies to reveal how imitation and movement function as cultural forces. Current projects explore aquatic performances at the New York Hippodrome and the legacy of vaudeville producer Gertrude Hoffmann. Her 15 most recent publications demonstrate an evolving trajectory from subway systems ( Underground Movements , 2013) toward aquatic spectacles and vaudeville legacies, consistently centered on New York City's infrastructure. This body of work establishes mobility studies as a critical lens for understanding modernism, revealing how transportation networks and performance venues structured social interactions. Her interdisciplinary approach connects theater history, gender studies, and urban theory to uncover marginalized narratives in American cultural production. Key recognitions include: Harry Ransom Center Fellowship (2020) New York Public Library Short-Term Research Fellowship (2020) Alabama Humanities Foundation Grant (2014) College of Liberal Arts Excellence in Teaching Award nomination (2011) Multiple research fellowships from 2003-2017 Stalter-Pace has secured substantial funding for archival research through fellowships from the NEH, MLA, and university grants. She serves on Biographer’s International Organization's program committee and curated the 'Common Grounds' exhibition at Auburn's Jule Collins Smith Museum. Her teaching innovations include the first-year seminar 'Thinking Through the Arts' and courses on contemporary drama that integrate Hamilton into American literature pedagogy. As Book Review Editor for Transfers: Interdisciplinary Journal of Mobility Studies , she shaped scholarly discourse in mobility studies. Through her Hippodrome research blog and collaborations with the New York Public Library, Stalter-Pace transforms specialized scholarship into accessible public history. Her Library of Congress presentation on Albertina Rasch and the Hippodrome exemplifies her commitment to bridging academic research with community engagement, while ongoing interviews and blog posts extend her work beyond traditional academic boundaries.
John Kelly is a Lecturer in the Sociology of Sport at the Moray House School of Education and Sport, University of Edinburgh. He is part of the Institute for Sport, Physical Education & Health Sciences (ISPEHS) and a joint convenor of the Edinburgh Critical Studies in Sport (ECSS) research group. His research focuses on intersections between sport, society, and power dynamics, including topics like militarism, sectarianism, ethnicity, and gender. He has advised governmental bodies in Europe and media organizations globally, and his work spans international journals and book publications. John holds a PhD in Sociology of Sport from Loughborough University (2003–2007), following MA (University of Brighton) and BA (University of Wales Institute, Cardiff) degrees. His teaching includes undergraduate and postgraduate courses on sport sociology, media, and research methods. He actively supervises PhD students exploring topics like sport and social integration, national identity, and body image in China. His research interests emphasize sociological theory, civil-military relations, and the role of sport in shaping identities. Current projects include studies on power in sport research, commemorations in sport, and Irish diaspora communities. John is also a joint editor of the Asia Pacific Journal of Sport and Social Science , reflecting his commitment to advancing critical academic discourse in sport studies.
Maeve Sterbenz is an Assistant Professor of Music at Smith College specializing in interdisciplinary music theory research at the intersection of human movement and musical experience. Her educational background includes: Ph.D. and M.A. from Columbia University B.A. from Columbia College Sterbenz's research examines how ballet shapes musical perception beyond score-based analysis, as demonstrated in her "Listening to Ballet" project developed during a San Francisco Ballet residency. She also investigates gender and sexuality in hip hop/R&B music videos, with award-winning publications analyzing visual-musical narratives. Her scholarly output reveals consistent focus on embodied musical experiences across concert dance, film, and popular media formats. Scientific recognition includes: 2018 Adam Krims award from the Society for Music Theory’s Popular Music Interest Group No documented graduate advisees or research grants are evident from available information. Sterbenz maintains creative collaborations with dancers as a composer but no formal research laboratory structure is described.
Matt Curlee is an Associate Professor of Music Theory at the University of Rochester's Eastman School of Music since 2007. He holds the Eisenhart Award for Excellence in Teaching and is recognized for his work bridging music theory, composition, and interdisciplinary collaborations. His research explores ear-brain interactions, improvisation, and the interplay between fundamental physics and musical space. Curlee is also an accomplished composer, with works performed globally, including the percussion sextet Little One and the chamber ballet Nanosecond . He has collaborated with visual artists, dancers, and scientists, as seen in his film adaptation of The Yellow Wallpaper . Education: Began his career at Eastman as an undergraduate, winning the Grand Prix de Chartres in 1995. Founded the contemporary jazz ensemble Neos in 2002, serving as artistic director and composer. His compositions are featured on major streaming platforms and in film/TV soundtracks. Research: Focuses on cognitive skills for performance, collaborative music-making, and the integration of technology in music. His works emphasize interdisciplinary artistry, blending classical, jazz, and experimental forms. Awards: In addition to the Eisenhart Award, his music has garnered over 15,000 streams for Little One and recognition from Arts Canada and the Rebanks Family Foundation. Advising/Grants: Advised students in composition and performance; led Neos' commissioning program generating global composer collaborations. Current projects include Let the rain (multi-config ensemble) and adaptations of Nanosecond . Labs/Teams: Collaborates with Eastman's percussion ensembles and interdisciplinary groups. Active in the Institute for Music Leadership and Sibley Music Library initiatives.
Akito Miura is an Associate Professor at the Faculty of Human Sciences of Waseda University , with a career spanning over 15 years in embodied cognitive science and movement research. His work bridges dance science , neuroscience , and biomechanics , focusing on sensorimotor coordination in performing arts and sports. PhD in Academic Studies from the University of Tokyo Research Experience at Waseda University, University of Tokyo, and EuroMov Institute (France) Editorial board member for Journal of Dance Medicine & Science and Advances in Cognitive Psychology Research interests include embodied cognition , rhythmic coordination , and interpersonal motor dynamics , with applications to dance, golf, and violin ensembles. His recent articles examine foot pressure in ballet, auditory-motor synchronization, and groove perception in music. Key awards include the Incentive Paper Award (2024) , Progress in Motor Control Scholarship (2011) , and multiple grants from the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science. He has also contributed to media coverage on rhythm perception in sports and performing arts. Current projects explore machine learning in motor learning, social interaction dynamics, and ACL rehabilitation metrics Professional memberships in the International Association for Dance Medicine & Science and Japan Cognitive Science Society
Colum McCann is a Professor of Contemporary Literature and Writer-in-Residence at The European Graduate School (EGS), and teaches Creative Writing at Hunter College, City University of New York. A celebrated Irish-American author, he has won the National Book Award and Chevalier des arts et lettres. Born in Dublin (1965), he studied journalism at Dublin Institute of Technology before earning a BA in History/English from the University of Texas at Austin. His work explores themes of cultural memory, displacement, and identity across novels like Let the Great World Spin (2009), Zoli (2006), and Dancer (2003), which delve into Roma communities, ballet legend Rudolf Nureyev, and Irish-American experiences. McCann’s research methods involve immersive travel—such as living with Roma communities in Eastern Europe or tunnel-dwellers in NYC—to craft narratives that bridge personal and historical scales. His essays and articles address social justice, cultural preservation, and literary form. Over 20 awards honor his contributions to literature, including membership in Ireland’s Aosdana arts academy. Awards: National Book Award (2009), Deauxville Literary Prize (2009), Chevalier des arts et lettres (France), Aosdana membership Grants/Residencies: Extensive travel research funded by grants, including stays in Japan, Eastern Europe, and NYC Labs/Teams: Leads creative writing workshops at Hunter College and EGS; collaborates with international literary festivals
Maria Garlock is the Daniel Tsui Professor in Engineering at Princeton University, serving as Co-Director of the Program in Architecture and Engineering and Head of Forbes College. Her roles also include membership in the Executive Committee of the Council on Science and Technology, Associated Faculty in the School of Architecture, and Associated Faculty in the Program in Latin American Studies. Garlock holds a PhD in Structural Engineering (Lehigh University, 2002), an MS in Civil Engineering (Cornell University, 1993), and a BS in Civil and Environmental Engineering (Lehigh University, 1991). Her research focuses on resilient structural design for extreme hazards like fires, earthquakes, and storm surges. She explores both isolated and cascading multi-hazard scenarios while also analyzing historical structural designs (e.g., Félix Candela’s thin-shell concrete umbrellas) and improving STEM education for non-technical majors through innovative teaching methods, including MOOCs and scale model exhibitions. Recent work emphasizes coastal defense systems using hyperbolic-paraboloid forms and steel-concrete girder performance under shear stress. Garlock has received notable honors including the ASCE SEI Fellowship (2016 T.R. Higgins Lectureship), President’s Award for Distinguished Teaching (2012), and the Emerson Electric Co. Faculty Advancement Award (2006). In education and grants, she teaches courses like Structures and the Urban Environment and Advanced Design of Steel/Concrete Structures , and has secured government funding for STEM literacy initiatives. Her research collaborations include the BRITE Pivot project and studies on Cuba’s historic National School of Ballet domes. She also leads efforts in deploying kinetic umbrellas as flood barriers and advancing probabilistic models for fire fragility in multi-hazard contexts. Garlock’s work bridges engineering and art, exemplified by her preservation studies of Candela’s architectural masterpieces and pedagogical innovations that emphasize creativity in structural design.
Andrea Bechert is an Associate Professor & Designer in the Film & Theatre Department at San José State University (SJSU). She holds a prominent role in academic and professional theatre design, with over 400 productions designed nationally and internationally. Her affiliations include SJSU and prior teaching roles at the University of Michigan, University of Chicago, Stanford University, and others. Education History Extensive academic experience across multiple institutions, though specific degree details are not listed. Research & Creative Activity Focuses on theatrical and film design, including scenic, costume, and projection design. Her work has been featured in major exhibitions like the World Design Expo, USITT Design Expo, and the Prague Quadrennial. She emphasizes collaborative design processes and innovative technical approaches in live performance. Awards & Recognition Recipient of the Silicon Valley Laureate Award for design excellence Bay Area Theatre Critics Circle Award for Fun Home (TheatreWorks) RSCA Award from SJSU's College of Humanities & Arts Multiple Authors & Artists Awards from SJSU Advising & Service Actively involved in professional service, serving as Western Region Board Trustee for United Scenic Artists (USA829), National Wellness Committee member, and Chair of the Design Exam Committee. No formal advisees listed in the provided text. Labs & Collaborations Collaborates with major institutions like TheatreWorks (Silicon Valley), SMUIN Ballet, Opera San Jose, and Berkeley Repertory Theatre. Maintains an active design portfolio at ScorpionDesigns.net .
Anwar Shaikh serves as Professor of Economics at the Economics Department within the Graduate Faculty of Political and Social Sciences at The New School for Social Research. His academic career spans several decades, marked by significant contributions to heterodox economics and critical analyses of mainstream economic theories. Current position: Professor of Economics Institution: The New School for Social Research Previous affiliations: Columbia University (resigned during 1968 protests) Professor Shaikh's research centers on the fundamental dynamics of capitalism, with particular emphasis on profit as the central driving force of the system. His work challenges neoclassical economic frameworks, especially the concept of perfect competition, which he contrasts with his theory of 'real competition'—a process more akin to warfare than the idealized ballet depicted in mainstream economics. He examines capitalism as a unity of order and disorder, identifying inherent patterns including business cycles and long waves that emerge from the system's intrinsic dynamics rather than external shocks. His scholarship critically engages with capital theory, distribution theory, and the measurement problems associated with aggregate production functions, famously demonstrated through his 'humbug production function' critique of Robert Solow's work. Shaikh's methodological approach rejects the perfection/imperfection duality prevalent in orthodox economics, arguing instead for starting analysis from the reality of economic processes rather than idealized abstractions. His intellectual influences include classical political economists (Smith, Ricardo, Marx), Keynes, and the Cambridge Capital Controversy scholars like Joan Robinson and Geoff Harcourt. His work demonstrates how profit rate equalization tendencies interact with shaping factors like wage dynamics, technical change, and institutional arrangements to produce capitalism's characteristic patterns of growth, crisis, and transformation. As an educator, Professor Shaikh encourages students to maintain intellectual openness while critically examining economic theories. He advocates for understanding how the world actually works as a foundation for meaningful social change, emphasizing that policies built on false theoretical foundations have real consequences for people's lives. His teaching spans historical economic thought, standard economic theory, econometrics, and alternative approaches including econophysics.
Claire Bishop is a Presidential Professor of Art History at the CUNY Graduate Center, widely considered an original thinker and creative interpreter of contemporary art, as well as a dynamic teacher. Her work critically examines participatory art, performance practices, and the relationship between art and politics. She has been based at the CUNY Graduate Center since 2008 and serves as a Contributing Editor to Artforum. Her publications have been translated into twenty languages, reflecting her international influence in the field of contemporary art history. Education: Ph.D. University of Essex, 2002 M.A. University of Essex, 1996 B.A. University of Cambridge, 1994 Bishop's research interests span Contemporary Art, Performance Art, Art & Politics, Exhibition History, History of Art Pedagogy, Post- and De-colonial Theory, and Museology. She is particularly known for her critical engagement with participatory art practices, questioning their political efficacy while exploring new modes of spectatorship in contemporary art. Her work examines how the digital revolution has transformed how we engage with art, arguing against simplistic narratives about technology's impact on visual culture. Bishop's scholarly contributions have been recognized with prestigious awards including the Guggenheim Fellowship (2024), the Mentoring and Teaching Award from CUNY Graduate Center (2024), and the College Art Association's Frank Jewett Mather Award for art criticism (2013). She has also received significant research support including a fellowship from the Center for Ballet and the Arts at NYU to study Merce Cunningham's Museum Events. Awards and Recognition: Guggenheim Fellowship, 2024 Mentoring and Teaching Award, CUNY Graduate Center, 2024 Andy Warhol Foundation Arts Writers Grant, 2017 Frank Jewett Mather Award for art criticism, 2013 Research Fellowship, Sterling and Francine Clark Institute, 2013 Bishop has received substantial grant support for her research, including the Andy Warhol Foundation Arts Writers Grant which enabled her to deepen her investigation into art and politics. Her work as a mentor has been formally recognized by CUNY Graduate Center, highlighting her commitment to developing the next generation of art historians. She has organized numerous academic events including the 'Post-Discipline? Contemporary Artists and Research' seminar series at the Center for the Humanities at CUNY Graduate Center. Bishop maintains an active presence in both academic and artistic communities, regularly contributing to major art publications and participating in international conferences. Her work bridges theoretical inquiry with practical engagement in contemporary art institutions and practices.
Dr. Tyler Hollett serves as an Associate Professor of Learning Sciences in the Department of Learning and Performance Systems at The Pennsylvania State University, contributing to the Learning, Design, and Technology program from 315 Keller Building, University Park, PA. His research champions interest-driven learning often devalued by formal institutions and neoliberal markets, investigating contexts like skateboarding, video gaming, and nature hobbies (fishing, birding). Hollett examines how passion-fueled activities generate embodied, affective learning that transcends goal-oriented education, advocating for equitable alternatives to capitalist learning trajectories. Current projects focus on intergenerational play through the FIGMENT Lab, exploring family gaming dynamics, climate engagement via outdoor hobbies, and evolving children's play across settings. Analysis of his recent publications reveals a methodological commitment to qualitative inquiry, with recurring themes of spatial-temporal rhythms, affective atmospheres, and embodied cognition. His work bridges learning sciences, critical pedagogy, and digital media studies, increasingly emphasizing intergenerational and ecological dimensions of informal learning. No scientific awards are listed in his current profile. However, Hollett actively mentors graduate students, inviting collaboration on FIGMENT Lab initiatives. His advising philosophy emphasizes rigorous scholarship within supportive, interest-driven research teams, with the FIGMENT Lab representing his current focus on family-centered learning in gaming, nature, and play contexts.
Bård Erlend Solstad is an Associate Professor at the Department of Sport Science and Physical Education, University of Agder. His research focuses on youth sports psychology, athlete development, and coach education, with a particular emphasis on the impact of training loads, motivation, and injury prevention in young athletes. He holds a postdoctoral fellowship from the Norwegian Research Centre for Children and Youth Sports (2017–2020) and was a Research Fellow at the Norwegian School of Sport Sciences (2012–2017). Key affiliations: ROPE (Research in Outdoor and Physical Education), SPADE (Sports Performance and Athlete Development Environments). Research interests include the psychological aspects of sport injury, perfectionism in elite performers, and the motivational climate in youth sports. His work integrates qualitative and quantitative methods to address issues like athlete well-being, coaching practices, and retention in organized sports. Recent studies have explored factors influencing dropout rates in youth soccer and the efficacy of interventions like the FUEL program for female endurance athletes. Solstad has advised on coach education initiatives, emphasizing empowering coaching behaviors and the psychological needs of athletes. He collaborates with multidisciplinary teams to advance athlete development programs and policy recommendations.
Dr. Emily Wilcox is the Margaret Hamilton Professor of Chinese Studies at William & Mary and core faculty in the Asian and Middle Eastern Studies Program. She holds affiliations with the University of Michigan’s Lieberthal-Rogel Center for Chinese Studies and multiple interdisciplinary programs. Her research focuses on modern Chinese performing arts, cultural diplomacy, and Cold War transnational networks. Wilcox earned degrees from Harvard, Cambridge, and UC Berkeley. She has held roles as Interim Chair of Modern Languages at William & Mary and Associate Chair at the University of Michigan. Her awards include the 2024 Guggenheim Fellowship and the 2019 de la Torre Bueno Prize. Her research explores Sino-Japanese cultural diplomacy, Cold War dance exchanges, and the role of performance in Asian geopolitics. Recent work includes analyzing the Matsuyama Ballet’s White-Haired Girl adaptation and China’s Bandung-era dance diplomacy. Wilcox has authored six books and over 30 articles, co-curated major exhibitions on Chinese dance history, and directs the Chinese Dance Collection at the University of Michigan. Her work bridges dance studies, cultural history, and East Asian studies.
