Prof. Lisa Nielebock is a Professor of Directing at the College for Music and Art, Folkwang University of the Arts. She serves as Vice Dean of Faculty 3 and coordinates the Directing study program. Her career spans directing productions at major German theatres including Schauspielhaus Bochum, Nationaltheater Mannheim, and Konzerttheater Bern. Studied directing at Folkwang Hochschule (2000-2004) Faculty 3 (Design Faculty/Institute for Pop Music) affiliation Location: Folkwang Theaterzentrum | Friederikastr. 4 | 44789 Bochum Her research and practice focus on classical and contemporary dramatic direction, with significant contributions to stage adaptations of works by Kleist, Shakespeare, Goethe, and modern playwrights. She has received multiple awards for young talent and critical acclaim. Scientific Awards: Radikal Jung 2006 Körber Studio 2004 NRW Theatertreffen 2007 Diverse Kritiker-Auszeichnungen Lisa Nielebock has held teaching positions since 2007, including as a lecturer at the Bavarian Theatre Academy Munich (2004/05). She is based at the Folkwang Theaterzentrum in Bochum, contributing to the university's artistic operations and scheduling.
Wang Fang serves as a Lecturer at Tongji University's School of Art and Media since 2015, teaching performance training courses while maintaining active creative and scholarly output. She holds a PhD in Drama and Film Studies from Shanghai Theatre Academy, where she previously earned her Master's in Radio and Television Arts and Bachelor's in Directing, following earlier teaching positions at Shanghai Conservatory of Music and Shanghai Theatre Academy. Her educational background includes: PhD in Drama and Film Studies, Shanghai Theatre Academy (2012-2019) Master's in Radio and Television Arts, Shanghai Theatre Academy (2005-2008) Bachelor's in Directing, Shanghai Theatre Academy (1999-2003) Wang Fang's research centers on Chinese musical theatre development, examining thematic selection challenges, lyrical composition nuances, and cultural impacts of artistic forms. Her work bridges academic inquiry with practical directing experience, exploring how phenomena like coffee culture influence urban business ecosystems while addressing specific challenges in creating original Chinese musical content. She emphasizes the interplay between cultural identity and artistic expression within contemporary Chinese performance contexts. Her scholarly publications from 2016-2021 reveal consistent focus on advancing Chinese musical theatre through critical analysis of production challenges and cultural impacts. Articles examine lyrical composition pitfalls, thematic selection frameworks, and reflections on creative risks, demonstrating her dual commitment to theoretical discourse and practical application. These works collectively address systemic challenges in developing authentic Chinese musical theatre while navigating cultural specificity and artistic innovation. Her creative achievements have received significant recognition: 2017 Shanghai New Play Award for musical 'Spring in a Small Town' 2021 selection for Shanghai Comedy Festival with play 'Trap' 2022 National Arts Fund grant for puppet musical 'The Newsboy's Voice' While specific student advisees aren't documented, Wang Fang's directing projects—including seven major productions between 2010-2021—provide substantial practical training for emerging performers. Her work attracts significant institutional support, particularly the National Arts Fund grant which validates her innovative approach to puppet musical theatre and demonstrates sustained impact on China's performing arts landscape through both scholarly contribution and creative production.
Robert Gordon serves as the Serena Professor of Italian at the University of Cambridge, holding dual affiliations with the Department of Italian (Modern and Medieval Languages Faculty) and Gonville & Caius College. His academic leadership spans decades, marked by foundational contributions to Italian literary and cultural studies. Gordon's research centers on modern Italian literature, cinema, and Holocaust memory, with signature expertise in Primo Levi's ethical frameworks and Pier Paolo Pasolini's cinematic legacy. His work consistently bridges literary analysis with historical trauma studies, particularly examining Italy's postwar cultural responses to fascism and genocide. Recent publications reveal deepening engagement with censorship mechanisms, memory politics, and the philosophical dimensions of luck in 20th-century narratives. Analysis of his 15 most recent publications demonstrates sustained scholarly vitality, with recurring themes including Holocaust representation strategies, Levi's intertextual methodologies, and state-culture dynamics under authoritarian regimes. His output spans literary criticism, film analysis, and historical monographs, reflecting remarkable interdisciplinary range while maintaining core focus on Italian cultural identity. Gordon's scientific recognition includes: Election as Fellow of the British Academy (2015) His extensive advisory role is evident through editorial leadership on major projects like The Cambridge Companion to Primo Levi and Holocaust Intersections , though specific grant details remain undisclosed. Collaborative initiatives with institutions like the British Academy underscore his central role in shaping contemporary Italian studies.
Sigitas Mickis is an Associate Professor at the Department of Music Theory and Practice within the Music Academy of Vytautas Magnus University in Kaunas, Lithuania. He has been employed at the university since September 1, 2018, and holds a Doctor of Sciences degree. His academic work focuses on the intersection of cognitive science and musical composition, with research interests specifically in cognitive musicology and musical composition. Dr. Mickis's scholarly output demonstrates a strong creative component, with numerous compositions spanning operas, theatrical works, and musical programs. His work frequently appears in national cultural contexts, including the National Bard Festival 'Purpurinis vakaras,' and often targets children's education through music. Notable works include the opera 'Mamulė Mū' (2021), 'Zuikis puikis' (2015) chamber opera for children, and multiple collaborations with Lithuanian artists like Andrius Kaniava. His research portfolio shows consistent activity from 2012-2021 with 19 documented publications, primarily musical compositions (11) and theatrical works (7). The publications reveal his engagement with both traditional Lithuanian musical elements and contemporary approaches to composition, particularly in educational contexts for children. Specializes in cognitive musicology and musical composition Extensive creative output including operas and theatrical works Focus on children's music education through composition Active collaborator with Lithuanian artists and institutions Proficient in multiple languages supporting international research Dr. Mickis is linguistically versatile with native Lithuanian, plus good proficiency in English, Russian, and German, with basic Spanish skills. This multilingual capability supports his research in cognitive musicology across cultural contexts and facilitates potential international collaborations in music theory and composition.
Richard Zeller is an Adjunct Professor of Voice at Portland State University’s College of the Arts. He holds a Master of Music from Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music (CCM), a Bachelor of Arts from George Fox University, and an Artist Diploma in Opera from CCM. Mr. Zeller’s research and professional focus spans over 35 years as an internationally acclaimed baritone and bass baritone, specializing in opera and concert performance. His expertise includes dramatic baritone roles in works by Verdi, Puccini, and Gluck, as well as oratorio masterpieces like Mendelssohn’s Elijah and Beethoven’s 9th Symphony . He has performed with major orchestras worldwide, including the Metropolitan Opera (11 seasons), Chicago Symphony, Boston Symphony, and Tokyo Philharmonic. Scientific awards and honors include an Emmy nomination, multiple competition wins (Baltimore Opera, Liederkranz, Sullivan Foundation), and scholarships at CCM. His teaching emphasizes vocal technique, dramatic storytelling, and cross-genre versatility, preparing students for careers in classical, music theater, and commercial music. Emmy nomination (2001) Outstanding Alumni – George Fox University Licia Albanese-Puccini Foundation grant Richard Tucker Foundation Career Grant Zeller’s students have achieved success in prestigious programs (Juilliard, Peabody) and competitions (Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions, NATSAA). He maintains a private teaching studio in Portland, Oregon, and offers online lessons globally.
Ingvild Holm is a Professor in Performing Arts specializing in scenography, acting, and performance at the Norwegian Theatre Academy (NTA), part of Østfold University College. She holds a 50% position with 20% dedicated to research. Her academic work is deeply intertwined with her practice as a theater and performance artist, engaging in interdisciplinary projects that bridge visual arts, performance, and institutional critique. Her educational background includes completion of a 3-year national Artistic Research Fellowship program (equivalent to a Ph.D.) from 2015 to 2020. This program focused on her doctoral project 'Scenomaten,' which examined the relationship between place and context in artistic form and content. She previously was a member of the performing arts collective Baktruppen from 1987 to 2011, which significantly shaped her collaborative approach to performance. Ingvild Holm's research interests center on object-oriented performance art, performative scenography, text as an object, object dramaturgy, ontology, site specificity, precarity, and reuse. Her work represents an 'expressive minimalism' that explores the political and structural dimensions of theater spaces through object-oriented formats. She draws from historical avant-garde traditions including Commedia dell'arte, performance art, installation, puppetry, and slapstick comedy, re-exploring their radical and political potential. Her approach, which she terms 'performative scenography,' investigates how spaces themselves become protagonists in theatrical works, asking what every possible place and context do to artistic content and form. Her recent publications demonstrate a consistent exploration of site-specificity, object-oriented performance, and the relationship between theatrical form and political content. Across her work, Holm examines how place and context shape artistic content and form, often using minimal interventions that question institutional structures while maintaining accessibility and playfulness. She frequently employs 'expressive minimalism, post-spectacular, low or popular' approaches that challenge traditional hierarchies between spaces, materials, and artistic forms. Government Grants for Artists (2019-2022) Artists Working Grant, Arts Council Norway (2020-23, 2011, 2005) Norwegian Artistic Research Fellowship Program (2015-2020) Holm has extensive experience mentoring students, currently guiding three MA students in performance while providing tutoring for BA-level independent productions and individual students since 2017. She has served on expert committees for Ph.D. applications at the Oslo National Academy of the Arts and assessment committees for Ph.D. candidates at both KHiO and the Norwegian Academy of Music. Her research collaborations include 'Material Strategies' with Concordia University in Canada and 'Blind Spot' with international partners across Europe and North America, funded by multiple national arts councils. She has developed and led numerous courses including 'Picture the picture' (MA Performance), 'Twins of reality' (BA Scenography/Acting), and 'Low status material & re-use' (BA Acting/Scenography). As a former member of the performing arts collective Baktruppen (1987-2011), Holm brings collective experience to her current work. She currently engages in multiple research collaborations including 'Material Strategies' and serves as a vara member in the board of the Norwegian Artistic Research Program (NARP) since 2022. Her artistic practice spans performance, writing, film, exhibitions, scenography, and curating, with a particular focus on how spaces themselves become active participants in theatrical works. She has participated in numerous Norwegian and international collaborations, including 'Resite Venice' at the Venice Research Pavilion (2017) and 'Blind Spot' project with partners from Germany, Romania, Canada, and Norway.
Jochen Kupfer is a Professor of Singing at the University of Music Würzburg , appointed in 2019. He is a globally acclaimed artist with permanent engagements at the Semperoper Dresden and Nuremberg State Theatre, alongside guest appearances at prestigious venues such as Teatro Colón in Buenos Aires and the Glyndebourne Opera Festival. Research & Performance Focus: His repertoire spans classical and romantic opera, oratorio, and lieder, with a particular emphasis on works by Wagner, Schubert, Brahms, and Mendelssohn. He has premiered in contemporary productions like Bernd Alois Zimmermann's Die Soldaten and Korngold's Die tote Stadt , showcasing his versatility in both dramatic and lyrical roles. Key Roles: Kurwenal ( Tristan und Isolde ), Amfortas ( Parsifal ), Stolzius ( Die Soldaten ), and Pizarro ( Fidelio ). Recordings: Notable releases include Schubert's Winterreise (MeisterKlang) and Wagner's Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg (DVD), alongside a three-volume Naxos edition of Hans Sommer's lieder. Scientific & Artistic Recognition: Appointed Bavarian Kammersänger (2016) for outstanding contributions to vocal art. Recipient of the Nürnberger Kulturpreis (2018), honoring his cultural impact. Collaborations: He has worked with conductors like Kent Nagano, Masaaki Suzuki, and Fabio Luisi, and pianists such as Marcelo Amaral and Finghin Collins, emphasizing his dedication to both operatic and chamber music traditions.
Laura Bowler is a British composer, vocalist, and artistic director specializing in theatre, multidisciplinary work, and opera. She has been commissioned by prestigious ensembles including the BBC Symphony Orchestra, London Philharmonic Orchestra, Manchester Camerata, and European groups like Quatuor Bozzini, Ensemble Phace, and Ensemble Lydenskab. Currently, she serves as a Lecturer in Composition at the Guildhall School of Music & Drama and Royal Northern College of Music. Bachelor of Music (BMus Hons) - Royal Northern College of Music & Sibelius Academy Master of Music (MMus) & PhD - Royal Academy of Music MA in Theatre Directing - Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (RADA) Her research focuses on integrating multimedia elements, physical performance, and theatrical concepts in contemporary music. She explores themes like societal tribalism, bodily physicality, and emotional vulnerability through works combining live electronics, video, and interdisciplinary collaboration. Bowler has received the Paul Hamlyn Foundation Award for Artists (2022), with nominations for British Composer Awards. Her performances span premieres of works by Louis Aguirre and Jennifer Walshe, and she collaborates internationally with artists like Zubin Kanga and Robert Bentall.
Elizabeth Wright is a Senior Lecturer in European and English Literature at Bath Spa University's School of Writing, Publishing and the Humanities. Her research focuses on British and European Modernism, Victorian/Edwardian drama, and women's writing (1837-1949), with particular emphasis on the Bloomsbury Group and their theatrical connections. She teaches modules including Critical Reading, Modernist Networks, and Women, Work and Art. PhD, MA (1st Class Hons) in English from the University of St Andrews Fellow of the Higher Education Academy Her research explores: Intersections of modernist literature and theatre Women's writing from Victoria's reign to 1949 Dramatized memory and Woolf's journalistic writings Periodical culture's role in early 20th-century women's drama Publications span books like Bloomsbury Influences (2014) and Vanessa and Virginia (2013), with articles and book chapters on Woolf's pacifism, adaptation practices, and print culture. Her play Vanessa and Virginia toured internationally and received Off West End Award nominations. Key awards include Fellowship (Higher Education Academy) Off West End Award nominations (2013) for Vanessa and Virginia
Beatrice Long serves as an Adjunct Assistant Professor of Piano at the Conservatory of Music within Brooklyn College's School of Visual, Media and Performing Arts (CUNY). An internationally acclaimed concert pianist, she has performed as soloist with major orchestras including Baltimore Symphony, National Symphony of Taiwan, Taipei Symphony Orchestra, and Montevideo Philharmonic across five continents. Her distinguished education includes: Graduated with honors from Curtis Institute of Music Graduated with honors from Peabody Conservatory Studied under Mieczyslaw Horszowski, Leon Fleisher, Seymour Lipkin, and Enrique Graf Advanced studies with Gaby Casadesus (Paris) and Fou Ts’ong (London) Specializing in virtuosic piano performance, Long excels in solo concertos, recital repertoire, and groundbreaking duo piano collaborations. Her artistic focus spans Beethoven and Rachmaninoff masterworks to contemporary compositions and world premiere recordings, consistently demonstrating dramatic intensity and nuanced musicianship that has captivated global audiences for decades. The Long Duo ensemble with her sister Christina represents a pinnacle of collaborative artistry. Her recorded legacy, epitomized by the critically lauded 2011 album 'Dorian sono Luminus' featuring world premiere concerti, reveals deep commitment to expanding the duo piano repertoire through scholarly rediscovery and contemporary commissions, bridging historical traditions with modern innovation. Her competitive achievements include: Cleveland International Competition Medalist World Piano Competition of Cincinnati Medalist Taipei International Piano Competition Medalist No documented graduate students or research grants are associated with her academic position, though her pedagogical influence extends through masterclasses at international festivals. The Long Duo maintains an active global performance schedule through 2026, continuing their mission of musical excellence and cross-cultural exchange. As co-founder of the Long Duo, she has established a significant artistic legacy through performances at Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center, and major international festivals, receiving unanimous critical praise for technical mastery and profound interpretive depth that redefines duo piano performance standards.
Laquita Mitchell serves as Adjunct Assistant Professor of Voice at the Conservatory of Music within Brooklyn College's School of Visual, Media and Performing Arts. An internationally acclaimed soprano, she maintains an active performance career across major opera houses including San Francisco Opera, Los Angeles Opera, New York City Opera, and the Metropolitan Opera throughout North America and Europe. Her educational foundation includes a Bachelor's degree from Westminster Choir College and Master's degree with Professional Studies Certificate from Manhattan School of Music. She further honed her craft through prestigious programs including the San Francisco Opera's Merola Program and Houston Grand Opera Studio. Mitchell's artistic profile centers on dramatic soprano repertoire with signature roles such as Bess in Porgy and Bess , Violetta in La Traviata , and Micaela in Carmen . Her concert work spans Barber's Knoxville: Summer of 1915 , Wynton Marsalis' All Rise , and Beethoven's Ninth Symphony, demonstrating mastery across classical, contemporary, and American musical traditions. Mitchell's distinguished honors include: Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions Grand Prize Winner 2004 Sara Tucker Award First Prize in Wiener Kammer Oper’s Hans Gabor Belvedere Competition (2003) First Prize in Houston Grand Opera Eleanor McCollum Competition (with Audience Choice Award) 2010 Distinguished Young Alumni Award from Manhattan School of Music Westminster Choir College Alumni Award (2015) As a faculty member, she mentors voice students in vocal technique and performance practice. While her primary focus remains performance, she contributes to Brooklyn College's academic mission through studio instruction. Her professional activities include ongoing collaborations with orchestras such as the Philadelphia Orchestra, New York Philharmonic, and Boston Symphony Orchestra, alongside recent role creations including Coretta Scott King in Douglas Tappin's I Dream .
Martin Göthberg is a Senior Lecturer at the Academy of Music and Drama, University of Gothenburg, specializing in Music, Dance and Drama Pedagogy. His work focuses on drama education, theater production processes, and collaborative learning in educational settings. Dr. Göthberg's primary research interests include: Drama text interpretation and its application in educational contexts Collaborative learning processes in theater production Character development and stage text transformation Emotional aspects of drama education Meaning-making processes among high school students in drama Ethnographic approaches to studying drama education His publication record from 2015-2021 reveals a consistent scholarly trajectory examining how students engage with drama texts and transform them into stage productions. The research demonstrates particular interest in collaborative meaning-making, text interpretation methodologies, and the educational value of theater work. Göthberg frequently employs ethnographic and qualitative methods to study these phenomena in authentic high school and university educational settings. Dr. Göthberg has published in respected academic journals including Mind, Culture and Activity and Learning, Culture and Social Interaction, and has presented at conferences such as the LDN-konferensen. His work has contributed to understanding the complex processes involved in moving from written drama texts to performed stage productions in educational contexts. He maintains active research collaborations with colleagues including Cecilia Björck and Åsa Mäkitalo, with multiple co-authored publications examining the intersection of drama education, text interpretation, and collaborative learning processes.
Stephen Hartke , Grammy Award-winning composer and faculty member at Oberlin Conservatory of Music , has earned international acclaim for his diverse and inventive compositions. With educational credentials from Yale University, University of Pennsylvania, and University of California, Santa Barbara, Hartke bridges historical inspiration with contemporary innovation. Born: 1952, Orange, New Jersey Education: BA Yale, MA University of Pennsylvania, PhD UC Santa Barbara Hartke's research interests span medieval-inspired works, operatic composition , chamber music , and orchestral pieces , often integrating literary or cultural themes. His article trends reveal a fascination with textural experimentation , historical revival , and theatrical abstraction . Awards 2013 Grammy Award Rome Prize Guggenheim Fellowship Charles Ives Opera Prize Hartke's compositional grants include support from Carnegie Hall, National Endowment for the Arts, Fromm Foundation, and Barlow Endowment. His works have been premiered by renowned ensembles like the Los Angeles Philharmonic and Hilliard Ensemble .
Martyna HENKE serves as a Lecturer at the G. and K. Bacewicz Academy of Music in Łódź, specializing in musical singing instruction and supervising the "Slippery Lightning" Musical Science Club. Her dual affiliation bridges academic pedagogy and professional performance within Poland's musical theatre landscape. She holds a Master of Arts degree from the G. and K. Bacewicz Academy of Music in Łódź (musical singing under Dr. hab. Anna Dzionek-Kwiatkowska) and a Theatre Studies degree from the University of Łódź. Her educational foundation integrates vocal technique with dramatic theory. HENKE's research interests manifest through performance practice in musical theatre and vocal pedagogy. Her career demonstrates deep engagement with theatrical interpretation, character-driven singing, and cross-disciplinary stagecraft. The recurring collaboration with major Łódź theatres reflects her commitment to applied performance research. As an educator, she mentors students through the "Slippery Lightning" Musical Science Club, emphasizing practical skill development. Her industry partnerships with Logos Theatre, Artland Musical Theatre, and Musical Theatre in Łódź provide students with professional immersion opportunities. Her artistic ecosystem includes longstanding collaborations with Logos Theatre ("Toast," "Confession in Wood," "At the Threshold of Heaven"), Artland Musical Theatre ("Dorotka's Fairytale Adventures in Oz"), Pinokio Theatre, Arlekin Puppet Theatre, and Musical Theatre in Łódź where she performs in productions including "Fiddler on the Roof," "Miss Saigon," "Les Misérables," "Catch Me If You Can," "Pretty Woman," and "Dracula."
Brianna Borger serves as an Assistant Professor of Instruction and Undergraduate Academic Advisor in the Department of Theatre at Northwestern University's School of Communication. She provides comprehensive academic guidance to Theatre majors, helping students align their educational paths with personal and professional aspirations through personalized mentorship. Her research centers on music theatre voice pedagogy, specifically integrating healthy vocal technique with dramatic storytelling to create authentic performances. She maintains a private voice studio in Evanston, IL, where she develops students' vocal potential while celebrating individual artistic identities. As an educator and director, she prioritizes creating inclusive rehearsal environments that empower artists to take creative risks and produce grounded, truthful work. Borger founded The Success Project , a digital initiative reframing post-graduation success metrics for performing arts students through resources on sustainable career navigation and alternative achievement pathways. Awards Jeff Award Nomination for performance in THE KING AND I Leveraging 20+ years as a professional performer, Borger advises students using insights from her stage career spanning international tours and acclaimed productions including A LITTLE NIGHT MUSIC , PARADE , and INTO THE WOODS . Since 2019, she has directed with explicit focus on increasing representation in Chicago theatre. The Success Project operates as her primary creative laboratory, utilizing social media and digital platforms to challenge traditional definitions of achievement in performing arts careers through community-building and resource sharing.
