R. Wayne Gallops serves as Professor and Chair of the Department of Music at Radford University, a position he has held since joining the faculty in 2004. He concurrently conducts the Radford University Community Symphony and maintains an active forty-year career spanning academic leadership, performance, and composition. His educational credentials include: Ph.D. from the University of South Florida M.M.E. from Florida State University B.M. from the University of Tampa Gallops specializes in conducting methodologies and instrumental pedagogy, with dual expertise in classical and jazz traditions. His scholarly work bridges music education theory with practical ensemble direction, emphasizing cross-genre collaboration and community engagement through orchestral and band programming. His distinguished recognitions include: Kappa Delta Pi (international honor society in education) Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia (music fraternity) Who’s Who Among American Teachers Outstanding Young Men of America National Band Association Citations of Excellence Administrative leadership defines his academic service, having directed Radford University’s Music Education program, Bands, and the Virginia Governor’s School for Visual & Performing Arts. He actively shapes policy through the Virginia Music Educators Association Executive Board and United Arts Council of Greater Greensboro. As a performing artist, Gallops has led over forty professional ensembles globally including the Virginia’s Orchestra of the Blue Ridge, Florida Lyric Opera, and Tallahassee Symphony while collaborating with icons like Chic Corea, Julie Andrews, and Barry Manilow. His 2008 jazz album 'Jazzicale' achieved international acclaim with NPR features.
Flavio Ferri-Benedetti is a Lecturer at the Basel Academy of Music, University of Applied Sciences and Arts Northwestern Switzerland, specializing in singing and Italian diction instruction. Concurrently, he serves as a research assistant at the University of Bern's Institute for New Testament Studies while pursuing a BA in Old Catholic Theology there, demonstrating a unique interdisciplinary trajectory spanning musicology, literature, and theology. His extensive educational background includes: BA student of Old Catholic Theology, University of Bern (2024–) PhD in Literature (magna cum laude), Universitat de València (2014) MA Singing (Musical Performance, cum laude), Schola Cantorum Basiliensis (2010) Classical Philology (cum laude), Universitat de València (2006) Translation and Interpreting Licentiate, Universitat Jaume I (2004) Piano diploma (cum laude), Vila-real, Spain (2000) Classical baccalaureate (cum laude), Castellón de la Plana, Spain (1983) His research centers on Baroque opera with particular emphasis on Metastasio's libretti, vocal aesthetics, and classical reception studies. He investigates intersections between musicology and literary analysis, gender dynamics in musicality, and creative expression through poetry. This multidisciplinary approach bridges historical performance practice with contemporary theoretical frameworks. Publication trends reveal consistent scholarly engagement with Metastasio's works and baroque opera conventions, evolving toward gender studies and creative writing. His output demonstrates methodological diversity across musicological analysis, historical manuscript studies, and poetic composition, reflecting both academic rigor and artistic practice. No scientific awards or fellowships are documented in available sources. Information regarding student advising and research grants remains unspecified in current records. He maintains affiliation with GRATUV (Grup de Recerca i Acció Teatral de la Universitat de València), a research and theatrical action group at the University of Valencia focused on classical tradition in performance contexts.
Dr. Charles Young is an Assistant Professor of Woodwinds and Director of Jazz Studies at Minot State University's Department of Fine and Performing Arts. As a multi-instrumentalist (saxophone, bassoon, clarinet, flute, oboe), he actively performs with organizations like the Minot Symphony Orchestra and Western Plains Opera Company.
Dr. Todd Mueller serves as a faculty member in the School of Liberal Arts at Georgia Gwinnett College since August 2010, teaching Music Appreciation, Music Theory, Production/Sound Design, and Percussion Ensembles. He advises Grizzly Percussion, a performance group specializing in American, West African, and global percussion styles that performs at campus events and community venues. Doctorate in performance with musicology minor – University of Georgia Master's in music performance – University of Georgia Bachelor's in music performance – Florida State University Mueller's research centers on timpani performance techniques, contemporary percussion composition, and cross-cultural music pedagogy, with deep expertise in Brazilian forró and West African drumming traditions. His teaching philosophy emphasizes music as a vehicle for cultural empathy, connecting students to both their heritage and global traditions through experiential learning. As an active performer, Mueller serves as principal timpanist of the Asheville Symphony Orchestra and collaborates with Atlanta-based ensembles including the Atlanta Opera, Ballet, and Symphony. His jazz/rock projects include the Odd Trio, One-Ton Tomato, and Bichos Vivos – a Brazilian forró group he founded. Through Grizzly Percussion, he mentors students in ensemble direction and multicultural repertoire development.
Eugene Drucker is a Visiting Professor of Chamber Music at Stony Brook University and founding member of the Emerson String Quartet. He serves as a graduate faculty member in the Performance program and maintains an ensemble-in-residence affiliation. Education: Columbia University graduate Education: Juilliard School graduate Education: Former concertmaster of Juilliard Orchestra As a distinguished violinist, Drucker has performed with orchestras across North America, Europe, and Israel, including Montreal, Brussels, and Jerusalem ensembles. His compositional work spans: Shakespeare adaptations Denise Levertov settings Contemporary string quartets Literary-inspired chamber works His recordings with Deutsche Grammophon and Parnassus Records encompass repertoire from Bach to modern compositions. Notable achievements include: Nine Grammy Awards Three Gramophone Magazine Awards Concert Artists Guild winner (1976) Drucker's recent premieres (2018-2022) demonstrate his commitment to expanding contemporary chamber music through: International festivals in Copenhagen and Reykjavik Collaborations with Escher String Quartet Multi-movement suite structures
Clare Brady holds dual academic roles: Visiting Lecturer at Edinburgh Napier University (since October 2014) Postgraduate Research Student in the Department of Music, Royal Holloway, University of London Her research specializes in voice studies, examining intersections between musicology, opera, and phenomenology. She investigates how theoretical frameworks of vocality manifest in both historical operatic repertoire and contemporary non-classical performance, with emphasis on vocal performance practice and interdisciplinary methodologies. Key projects include analysis of Luciano Berio's operatic works through the lens of listening and vocal embodiment.
Christopher Withrow serves as Assistant Professor of Voice in the Music Department at Samford University's School of the Arts, where he leverages extensive professional performance experience in vocal instruction. A baritone acclaimed for "bringing masculine gravity both in voice and performance," he has collaborated with major U.S. institutions including Opera Fairbanks, Townsend Opera Players, and the Tuscaloosa Symphony Orchestra. His educational foundation includes: Bachelor of Music from California State University, Stanislaus Master of Music from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas Doctor of Musical Arts from The University of Alabama Dr. Withrow's artistic expertise spans operatic and concert repertoire, with signature roles in Puccini's Gianni Schicchi , Mozart's Le Nozze di Figaro , and Strauss' Die Fledermaus . His concert work encompasses major compositions by Brahms ( Ein Deutsches Requiem ), Bach ( Coffee Cantata ), and contemporary pieces like Cohen's Alzheimer's Stories , demonstrating mastery across Baroque, Classical, Romantic, and modern eras. His professional recognition includes: 2019 Vann Vocal Institute winner Major scholarship recipient from the McConnell Foundation As a core faculty member, Dr. Withrow directs vocal training and performance coaching within Samford's Division of Music, integrating his active stage career into pedagogical practice without documented research grants or laboratory affiliations.
Rona Siddiqui is an Associate Professor at Berklee NYC's Writing and Production for Musical Theater graduate program, where she teaches career-focused courses. A New York City-based composer and lyricist, she is renowned for her autobiographical musical Salaam Medina: Tales of a Halfghan and has collaborated on projects for the Kennedy Center, Broadway Records, and the Civilians. She currently participates in Musical Theatre Factory's Makers Residency and Ars Nova's Vision Residency. Recipient of the Jonathan Larson Grant (2020) Broadway Women's Fund's 'Women to Watch' (2021) Obie Award for Special Citations (2020) ASCAP Foundation Harold Adamson Lyric Award Her research and creative work focuses on musical theater composition, blending bi-ethnic identity narratives with contemporary theatrical forms. She has orchestrated for Broadway Backwards and Pittsburgh Civic Light Opera, and her work has been featured at 54 Below and the National Alliance for Musical Theatre. Rona's teaching philosophy emphasizes pushing musical boundaries by integrating diverse genres into compositional practice. She serves as music director for the Pulitzer Prize and Tony Award-winning musical A Strange Loop , for which she earned a Grammy nomination.
Joshua Groffman is an Associate Professor and Chair of the Music Department at Southern Connecticut State University. A composer and researcher, his work explores the intersection of sound, place, and the natural world, with a focus on New York's Hudson Valley. Academic Role: Chairperson of Music, Southern Connecticut State University Teaching: Specializes in Music Technology & Composition Research Interests include ecomusicology , soundscapes , and music of place . His projects examine environmental politics through sound, historical connections between nature and music, and interdisciplinary pedagogical approaches. Publication Highlights demonstrate his focus on environmental communication, music theory pedagogy, and soundscape studies. Key themes include the Hudson Valley's acoustic ecology, collaborative learning techniques, and the ideological dimensions of natural sound representation. Creative Activity features the opera Halcyon (commissioned by Vital Opera) and chamber recitals addressing ecological themes. His work One Quiet Plunge explores deep listening in natural environments. Grants & Fellowships include CSU-AAUP Research Grants, Faculty Development Grants, and sustainability initiatives. He actively engages in POGIL pedagogy and interdisciplinary conferences on music, environment, and public history.
Agnieszka Nagórka, Ph.D., is an Assistant Professor at the IJ Paderewski Academy of Music in Poznań, where she is affiliated with the Institute of Vocal Studies. She specializes in conducting and vocal arts, teaching vocal ensembles, opera workshops, and opera parts. Her educational background includes: PhD from IJ Paderewski Academy of Music in Poznań (2023) Dr. Nagórka's research interests focus on musical arts with an emphasis on conducting, particularly in the realm of Polish music and vocal performance. Her work bridges historical musicology with practical conducting techniques, with special attention to the works of Stanisław Moniuszko and other Polish composers. She has made significant contributions to the understanding and performance of Polish opera repertoire, particularly works from the pre-Moniuszko period. Her scholarly output shows a clear focus on Polish musical heritage, examining the works of Stanisław Moniuszko and Karol Kurpiński. These publications demonstrate her commitment to preserving and promoting Polish musical traditions through both academic research and practical application in performance settings. Dr. Nagórka has received numerous prestigious awards for her contributions to music: 2nd prize at the Concorso Internazionale per Direttori d'Opera Luigi Mancinelli (International Competition for Opera Conductors "Luigi Mancinelli", Orvieto, Italy) GRAND PRIX at the International Artist Competition "Interstellar" in Odessa Award of the monthly "Teatr" in the "best music" category Bronze medal "For Long Service" Badge of Honor "Meritorious for Polish Culture" With extensive experience as a conductor at major Polish theaters including the Stanisław Moniuszko Grand Theatre in Poznań (2002-2013), Dr. Nagórka has directed numerous opera productions and served as music director for many premieres. She has collaborated with major Polish cultural institutions including the Krakow Opera, Silesian Opera, Opera Nova in Bydgoszcz, and several philharmonic orchestras. Since 2025, she has served as Artistic Director of the Castle Opera in Szczecin, further expanding her influence in the Polish music scene. Dr. Nagórka's professional activities span both academic and performance domains, with significant contributions to opera production, music direction for theatrical performances, and scholarly research on Polish musical heritage. Her work bridges the gap between academic musicology and practical conducting, making her a significant figure in contemporary Polish music.
Elena Minetti, Ph.D., is a Research Fellow in Historical Musicology at the Department of Music, University of Kassel, where she has been working since May 2025. Her current research project, "Receiving – Re-constructing – Recomposing. Practices of Completing Opera Fragments from the Mid-19th to the Early 21st Century," is funded by the University's central research funding (ZFF) program "Pilot." Dr. Minetti earned her doctorate in 2024 through a cotutelle arrangement between the University of Music and Performing Arts Vienna and Justus Liebig University Giessen. Her dissertation, "Schrift als Werkzeug: Schriftbildliche Operativität in Kompositionsprozessen früher musique mixte (1949–1959)" received significant recognition. Prior to her doctorate, she studied piano performance at the Istituto di Studi Superiori Musicali in Siena (2014–2019) and Musicology at the University of Bologna (2011–2017), where she completed bachelor's and master's theses focused on Hans Werner Henze's operas. Dr. Minetti's research spans multiple interconnected areas within musicology. Her primary focus is on music history from the 19th to 21st centuries, with particular attention to sketch research and compositional processes, especially in music theater and electroacoustic music. She has developed expertise in letter research and the digital edition of postal documents, which informs her work on artistic networks. Additionally, she investigates the theory and history of musical writing, examining how notation functions as both a practical tool and a conceptual framework in composition. Her work in music education, particularly regarding music theater and piano music, demonstrates her commitment to applying scholarly insights to pedagogical contexts. Her scholarly output reveals a consistent focus on the intersection of musical notation, compositional process, and historical context. Through detailed examinations of works by composers such as Bruno Maderna, Mauricio Kagel, and Daphne Oram, she has illuminated how composers use written forms to conceptualize and realize their musical ideas. Her research particularly emphasizes the period from the 1940s to 1960s, a crucial era for the development of electronic and electroacoustic music, while also connecting these historical practices to contemporary approaches in music composition and notation. Dr. Minetti's exceptional scholarly contributions have been recognized with prestigious awards: The Herta & Kurt Blaukopf Prize of the University of Music and Performing Arts Vienna (2024) The Award of Excellence of the Austrian Federal Ministry of Education, Science and Research (2024) As a postdoctoral researcher, Dr. Minetti has secured significant research funding for her current project through the University of Kassel's competitive "Pilot" program. Her previous research positions include fellowships at the German Historical Institute in Rome and participation in major collaborative projects such as "Henze Digital – Hans Werner Henze's Artistic Network" and the trinational project "Writing Music – Iconic, Performative, Operative and Material Aspects in Musical Notation(s)" funded by DFG, FWF, and SNF. Dr. Minetti is actively involved in the "Henze Digital" project, which focuses on creating a digital edition of Hans Werner Henze's correspondence network. She has also participated in workshops and conferences related to musical notation, digital humanities approaches to music scholarship, and gender studies in music. Her work often bridges traditional musicological methods with digital humanities approaches, reflecting contemporary trends in the field.
Kathariou Angeliki serves as a Professor in the Department of Music Science & Art at the University of Macedonia, Greece. Her academic foundation includes advanced training from the University of York and the Conservatorio Statale di Novara, establishing her expertise in vocal performance and musicology. Her educational qualifications are: Doctorate (PhD), Department of Music, University of York, England Master of Arts in Music (Contemporary Studies), Department of Music, University of York, England Bachelor's degree (Excellent 9.33), Department of Music Science and Art, University of Macedonia Laurea Universitaria - Diploma di Canto (Excellent 9.25), Conservatorio Statale di Novara, Italy Professor Kathariou's research centers on operatic repertoire spanning Baroque to contemporary eras, with specialized focus on vocal works by Benjamin Britten and Kurt Weill. She investigates the singer-composer collaboration in 21st-century musical theater and the historical evolution of recitativo from the Camerata Fiorentina to Schoenberg. Her work actively promotes Greek classical music through scholarly research, concert presentations, and recordings, while advancing pedagogical methodologies in monody and vocal technique. Her extensive teaching portfolio encompasses voice education, monody instruction, chamber music, and operatic performance across undergraduate and postgraduate levels. She supervises thesis composition and delivers specialized courses in vocal technique for choir directors, emphasizing practical application and artistic development in vocal performance.
Kevin Day serves as an Assistant Professor of Composition within the Faculty of Music at Wilfrid Laurier University, where he is recognized as an acclaimed composer-pianist with a DMA credential. His creative work significantly contributes to the university's vision for music education and research excellence. Day specializes in contemporary classical composition with a concentrated focus on opera development, currently creating his first commissioned opera through a major collaboration between Cincinnati Opera and the Andrew T. Mellon Foundation. His compositional approach emphasizes innovative techniques within modern classical frameworks, pushing boundaries in musical storytelling and structure. He received the prestigious 2023 MacDowell Fellowship for Music Composition—one of North America's highest artistic honors—which provided a six-week dedicated residency at MacDowell's Peterborough campus. This fellowship enabled immersive work on his opera project within a 450-acre woodland environment designed to foster exceptional creative output. As an educator, Day functions as a role model for students while advancing Laurier's reputation in musical innovation. Dean Cynthia Johnston Turner specifically highlighted his 'exceptional and innovative' contributions to the field and his value to the academic community.
Dr. Lydia Buttigieg is an accomplished piano accompanist, lecturer, pianist, harpist, and musicologist with nearly twenty-five years of professional experience spanning performance, education, and scholarly research. Her academic career centers on Maltese musical heritage, with particular expertise in documenting and analyzing the works of 20th-century Maltese composer Carmelo Pace (1906-1993). Her research interests include: Maltese Music History and Cultural Context Music Education Curriculum Development Piano and Harp Performance Practice Music Analysis with Pitch-class Set Theory Orchestral and Chamber Music Studies Dr. Buttigieg's scholarly contributions demonstrate a methodical approach to musicological research, combining historical documentation with analytical techniques. Her PhD thesis provides a comprehensive examination of Carmelo Pace's entire compositional output across seven chapters covering orchestral works, chamber music, keyboard compositions, choral pieces, and operas. She has also investigated the historical development of Maltese musical institutions, particularly the Malta Philharmonic Orchestra from the 17th to 20th centuries. Her publications reveal consistent focus on bridging historical musicology with practical music education, as evidenced by her work developing standards for Maltese secondary school music curricula. Dr. Buttigieg approaches music as 'a multisensory experience which encompasses and focuses on listening, seeing, moving and the emotional aspect of the human awareness,' emphasizing holistic educational approaches. Her academic impact is reflected in her growing recognition within musicological circles, with her Academia.edu profile showing over 6,300 public views and 131 followers as of 2025. As an educator, Dr. Buttigieg has focused on creating comprehensive music curricula that enhance sensory perception and psychomotor skills while aligning Maltese music education standards with European frameworks. Her program notes for contemporary Maltese composers demonstrate her commitment to promoting current musical developments in Malta.
Katie Hannigan is an Associate Professor at the School of Music, Nazareth College in Rochester, NY , where she serves as Coordinator of Vocal Studies and provides leadership for the Opera Workshop Program. Praised by the San Francisco Chronicle as a 'Golden-Voiced Mezzo-Soprano,' she has performed with prestigious companies including Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra, Eastman Philharmonia, and Syracuse Opera. School of Music, Nazareth College Eastman School of Music (DMA, MM) SUNY Purchase Conservatory (BM) As a mezzo-soprano , Hannigan specializes in operatic and concert performance , with notable roles including Zerlina in Don Giovanni , Suzuki in Madama Butterfly , and Bianca in The Rape of Lucretia . She has performed major works like Handel's Messiah , Mendelssohn's Elijah , and Jake Heggie's The Deepest Desire , showcasing expertise in both classical and contemporary repertoire. Her recent professional projects include recordings of Holocaust-themed works with composer Lori Laitman, culminating in the Vedem oratorio. Hannigan's artistic collaborations span institutions like Eastman Opera, Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra, and Finger Lakes Opera, with performances at venues including Symphony Space (New York City) and Woolsey Hall (Yale University). Prestigious Fall Island Vocal Seminar (Emerging Singer 2017) Professional Development Division of SONGFEST (2015) Interdisciplinary residencies with John Musto (2016) and Lori Laitman (2019) Lecture recital grant recipient from Genesse Valley Community of the Arts Hannigan's educational background includes a BM in Voice and Opera from SUNY Purchase Conservatory, and MM and DMA degrees from Eastman School of Music. She also holds certifications in Vocal Pedagogy for Contemporary and Commercial Music from Shenandoah University, and Rock the Audition teaching certification.
