Richard Boulanger is a Professor in the Electronic Production and Design (EPD) department at Berklee College of Music, where he contributes significantly to music technology education and innovation. His work bridges performance, composition, and technological exploration. His research and expertise focus on music technology , electronic music , and music synthesis , particularly through tools like Csound. He advocates for technology as a means to uncover and express a musician’s inner voice, integrating historical traditions with contemporary and future-facing practices. Richard Boulanger is internationally recognized as a lecturer, author, performer, and consultant. He edited The Csound Book (MIT Press, 1999), a seminal work in computer music. His career includes performances with prestigious ensembles such as the La Jolla Symphony Orchestra, San Diego Opera Orchestra, and Boston Symphony Orchestra. Scientific Awards: Fulbright Scholar Recipient of numerous awards, honors, and grants As an educator, he teaches courses in music technology and supports students in exploring their musical identities through technological tools. He is affiliated with the Professional Writing and Music Technology programs at Berklee.
David Imhoof is Professor of History at Susquehanna University and serves as the NCAA Division III Faculty Athletic Representative. He has twice chaired the History Department (2006-2015, 2020-2023) and directed the Global Opportunities (GO) Austria study abroad program since 2010. His research focuses on cultural and political history in 20th-century Germany with particular emphasis on Göttingen between the World Wars. Education : Ph.D. in History from the University of Texas at Austin, B.A. in History and Liberal Arts from Trinity University. Imhoof's research explores how cultural practices like sports, music festivals, and film shaped political integration in Weimar and Nazi Germany. His current projects include a biography of a Nazi mayor and a history of Germany's 20th-century recording industry. He has published extensively on topics ranging from the Total Work of Art concept to sound studies in German contexts. His recent publications form trends in cultural history, media studies, and political integration analysis. These works examine how music, sports, and film served as vectors for both traditional values and ideological transformation during Germany's turbulent 20th century. Scientific Awards : Multiple Susquehanna Research Grants, DAAD Fellowship, Nachtegall Junior Scholar Award, and Presidential Scholar at Trinity University. Imhoof advises senior theses and independent study projects. He has led assessment reforms in Susquehanna's history department and coordinated over $3,500 in donor campaigns. As director of GO Austria, he develops international curricula and faculty training programs. He co-founded Susquehanna's Holocaust-Genocide Studies Group (2000-2014) and leads a rock band Faculty Lounge with fellow professors. His service includes NCAA representation, university strategic planning, and organizing academic events ranging from opera performances to Holocaust survivor talks.
Wesley Bradford serves as Assistant Professor and Program Coordinator for Music Theory at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette's School of Music and Performing Arts, teaching courses from freshman theory to graduate composition since joining the faculty in 2016. His international engagement includes study abroad courses in London and presentations at conferences like the North American Conference on Video Game Music. Dr. Bradford's educational foundation includes: Ph.D. in Music Theory from Louisiana State University (2016) M.M. in Music Theory from the University of Oklahoma (2013) B.A. in Music Composition from Austin Peay State University (2010) His research centers on musical meaning through narrative and semiotic frameworks, with concentrated exploration of video game music. Recent projects analyze narrative structures in The Legend of Zelda series, demonstrating how mathematical and interpretive approaches reveal new dimensions in contemporary genres like interactive media soundtracks. Bradford's publication trend shows consistent focus on video game narrative analysis since 2016, evolving from woodwind repertoire studies to digital media. His work bridges classical music theory with emerging game studies, particularly examining environmental storytelling through audio in interactive contexts. His scholarly recognition includes: Dissertation Year Fellowship (Spring 2016) As Theory/Composition studio coordinator, Bradford mentors students through recitals and studio meetings while securing research funding like the 2021 SPARK ArTech Grant. His active conference participation reflects ongoing scholarly contribution to music theory communities. He maintains professional engagement through the South Central Society for Music Theory and national Society for Music Theory, fostering collaborative research networks within the university's music theory ecosystem.
Prof. Katarzyna Nowak-Stańczyk serves as Professor of Musical Arts and Head of the Acting and Stage Movement Department at the Feliks Nowowiejski Academy of Music in Bydgoszcz's Faculty of Vocal and Acting, where she has taught since 2003 after earning her postdoctoral degree in 2005 and receiving the professor title in 2012. Her educational background includes graduating with distinction from the Academy of Music in Łódź in 1989 under Jadwiga Pietraszkiewicz. Professional highlights span 700+ opera performances across major Polish theaters and 2,000+ concert songs in works by Verdi, Mozart, Puccini, and Chopin. Her artistic research focuses on Vocal Performance and Opera interpretation, evidenced by her mastery of 30+ soprano roles including Verdi's La Traviata and Mozart's Don Giovanni, alongside concert repertoire ranging from Bach's Magnificat to Górecki's 'Copernican' Symphony. Her major awards include: Special Award at the Ada Sari Vocal Competition (1987) Finalist at the International Vocal Competition in Pretoria (1990) Special Award at the 1st International Moniuszko Competition (1992) She has recorded for SABC Johannesburg, Polish Radio Channel 2, and Polish Television while maintaining dual careers as a performer (Opera Nova soloist since 2003) and educator (previously at Zduńska Wola State School of Music).
Hervé Lacombe is a Professor of Musicology at the University of Rennes 2, where he has held a faculty position since 2002. He serves as Director of the Music Department (2009-2011, 2022-2023) and previously as Head of the Master's degree in Music and Musicology (2016-2019, 2020-2022). Recognized for his scholarly contributions, he became a Senior Member of the University Institute of France (IUF) in 2023 and is a member of the Academia Europaea. His academic leadership extends to the History and Criticism of Arts Research Unit (UR 1279) and editorial roles including Head of the 'Studies' series for the French Musicology Society publications. Lacombe's research centers on French music from the 19th to 21st centuries, with particular focus on opera history, lyrical dramaturgy, and the globalization of opera. His work explores interdisciplinary connections between music and other arts, cultural contexts of musical production, and historiographical approaches to musicology. He is internationally recognized as a leading authority on composers Bizet and Poulenc, having authored definitive biographies on both. His most significant scholarly achievement is the three-volume 'Histoire de l'opéra français' (2020-2022), a comprehensive history involving nearly 200 international collaborators. This monumental work has received multiple prestigious awards including the René Dumesnil Prize (2020) and the France Musique Claude Samuel Grand Prix du Livre (2021). His earlier works 'Les Voies de l'opéra français au XIXe siècle' (1997) and 'Bizet' (2000) also garnered significant recognition from the Academy of Fine Arts and French Academy. Bernier Prize from the Academy of Fine Arts (1997) Eugène Carrière History Prize from the French Academy (1998) Bordin Prize from the Academy of Fine Arts (2001) Grand Prix des Muses (2014) France Musique Claude Samuel Grand Prix du Livre (2021) Lacombe has directed eight doctoral theses to completion and currently supervises two more. His international influence extends through keynote addresses at institutions worldwide including Keele University, the University of Montreal, and the Kyiv Music Academy. He regularly contributes to opera programs for major international opera houses and has participated in numerous radio broadcasts and documentaries on French musical heritage.
Harry White is a Professor of Music at University College Dublin (UCD), serving as Head of Department from 1993-2005. He holds academic positions such as visiting professorships in Canada, Croatia, Germany, and the UK. Educated at UCD, University of Toronto, and Trinity College Dublin, he specializes in cultural history of Irish music, Austrian baroque music, and Anglo-American musicology. His awards include the Harrison Medal (2014) and Royal Irish Academy membership (2006). Research focuses on music’s role in Irish cultural identity, European baroque traditions, and historiographical methods. Notable works include The Keeper's Recital (1998) and co-editing The Encyclopaedia of Music in Ireland (2013). Recent engagements include delivering the Alfred S. Hook Memorial Lecture (2022) and receiving a Festschrift in 2018. Education: BMus (UCD), MA (Toronto), PhD (Trinity College Dublin) Awards: Harrison Medal, MRIA, Honorary Fellowships (R.I.A.M., Croatian Musicological Society) Editorial Roles: General editor of Irish Musical Studies , advisory editor for New Grove Dictionary and Journal of the Royal Musical Association
Laurie Kincman is an Associate Professor and Chair of the Department of Theatre & Dance at the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse. She specializes in Stage Management, Arts Administration, and Dramaturgy, and serves as the department’s Production Manager. Her roles include overseeing the Stage Management and Arts Administration programs, teaching courses like Dramaturgy and Theatre Management, and advising productions. Education: MFA in Stage Management, University of California-Irvine BA in Drama & Political Science, Dartmouth College Research & Professional Contributions: Kincman authored The Stage Manager's Toolkit (4th ed., 2024), a foundational text for stage management education. Her work emphasizes communication techniques, digital tools, and ethical practices in theatre production. She has professional credits with institutions like the Old Globe Theatre and Opera Pacific. Recent Contributions: Led productions such as Cabaret (2025) and What the Constitution Means to Me (2024). Presented on legal and creative topics, including copyright in the arts and documentary drama. Affiliations: Member of the United States Institute for Theatre Technology, Stage Managers Association, and Literary Managers and Dramaturgs of the Americas.
Zafar A. Momin is an Adjunct Professor in the Department of Strategy & Policy at the National University of Singapore (NUS) Business School, appointed since February 2023. He holds a Ph.D. from Singapore Management University, an MBA from the Kellogg School of Management (Northwestern University), and degrees in mechanical engineering from Purdue and Pune Universities. Prior to NUS, he taught at Nanyang Technological University’s Nanyang Business School for over a decade as an Adjunct Associate Professor, focusing on strategic decision-making and implementation. With 30+ years of global leadership experience, he has held senior roles at The Boston Consulting Group, A.T. Kearney, and L.E.K. Consulting, and served as Executive Vice-President of a multi-billion-dollar conglomerate. His expertise spans strategy consulting, industry leadership, and board governance. Zafar is currently an Independent Non-Executive Director and Chairman of the Nomination and Remuneration Committee at PETRONAS Chemicals Group, and a member of Opera Estate Primary School’s School Advisory Committee. He has also served on boards of Mapletree Logistics, the Center for Non-Profit Leadership, and Asia-focused private equity firms. His research and media commentary focus on transportation/mobility, digital economy, and emerging markets trends. He has spoken at regional conferences and participated in World Economic Forums in Davos, the Middle East, and Asia.
Professor Adam Gorb is a renowned composer and academic, serving as Professor of Composition and former Head of the School of Composition at the Royal Northern College of Music (RNCM) from 2000 to 2023. He holds a PhD in Composition from the University of Birmingham (2013), alongside degrees from Cambridge University (BA 1980) and the Royal Academy of Music (RAM, MMus with Principal’s Prize 1993). His research and creative output focuses on orchestral, operatic, and wind ensemble composition. Notable works include operas Anya 17 (2012) and The Path to Heaven (2018), which explore themes like human trafficking and the Holocaust. His wind ensemble pieces, such as Towards Nirvana and Farewell , have won British Composer Awards and are performed globally. Awards include three British Composer Awards and a House of Commons accolade for Anya 17 . He advises PhD students in composition while maintaining international collaborations, including recent projects in Romania, Australia, and the USA. His music is frequently recorded and performed worldwide, with CDs such as 24 Preludes (2022) and Dancing in the Ghetto (2016) showcasing his diverse output. Teaching roles include undergraduate and postgraduate composition at the RNCM, alongside guest lectures at institutions globally. His current projects include commissions for the Royal Academy of Music and interdisciplinary work with Parkinson’s patients.
Prof. Dr. hab. Marzena Górecka is a Full Professor at the Department of German-Language Literature and Culture , Faculty of Humanities , John Paul II Catholic University of Lublin . Her academic career includes habilitation (2006), Erasmus teaching assignments at the University of Freiburg (Switzerland), and leadership of the INTERREG III C project Language Bridges (2004-2006). Education: University of Lublin (Humanities), University of Zurich (Germanic Philology), University of Perugia (Italian Studies) Degree: Licentiata Philosophiae (1995), Doctorate in German Medieval Literature (1999) Research Focus: German medieval mysticism (Mechthild von Magdeburg, Hildegard von Bingen), Swiss German-language literature of the 20th century (Meinrad Inglin, Albin Zollinger), and literary translation theory with emphasis on Joseph Ratzinger/Benedict XVI's Opera Omnia . She explores mystical anthropology, cultural boundaries, and the interplay between theology and literature. Recent Trends: Analysis of postmodern literary spirituality, translation challenges of theological texts, and cultural memory in European border regions. Her 2023 publications examine educational crises through religious pedagogy and contemporary social critique in Swiss literature. Key Awards: Feniks National Literary Award (2014, 2013), Ministerial Individual Scholarship (MEiN), Landes&Gyr Foundation Research Stipend (Switzerland) Academic Service: Active in international research (SNSF Berlin evaluation), editorial leadership for Opera Omnia Ratzinger , and conference organization on European values and migration. She serves on the Polish Ministerial Expert Panel for academic promotions.
Dimitri Scarlato serves as Area Leader in Masters Programmes in Composition for Screen and Doctoral Supervisor at the Royal College of Music's Faculty of Composition. Holding a Doctorate in Composition from the RCM (2014) alongside prior studies at Guildhall School of Music & Drama (2004) and Rome's Conservatorio di Musica S.Cecilia, he maintains active roles in academic leadership and doctoral supervision while continuing professional creative work. His research spans film composition, opera, and contemporary classical music with specialized focus on screen-based media. Key interests include soundtrack production techniques, cross-cultural narrative scoring, and innovative vocal composition for modern contexts. His work integrates academic rigor with industry practice through film scores, operatic productions, and multimedia performances that bridge traditional and contemporary forms. Scarlato's recent creative output demonstrates consistent thematic development in audiovisual storytelling, with increasing sophistication in emotional resonance and cultural contextualization across film and opera formats. His projects frequently explore Italian cinematic traditions while incorporating international perspectives from collaborations at venues like Berlinale Talent Campus and Royal Opera House. 2nd Prize, Opera Harmony Digital Opera Festival (2020) for 'A Life Reset' Award for Soundtrack to Short Film 'Intolerance' (2021) RCM Rising Star Selection (2010) As Doctoral Supervisor, Scarlato guides emerging composers through rigorous academic and creative development, emphasizing practical industry integration. His professional engagements include conducting premieres of contemporary operas across Europe and high-profile collaborations such as coaching Sir Michael Caine for the film 'Youth' (2015). Current projects focus on expanding composition techniques for digital media platforms while maintaining strong connections to traditional performance venues.
Prof. Dr. Florian Freitag is a Professor of American Studies at the University of Duisburg-Essen (Germany) since 2019, specializing in Transnational American Studies, Canadian Studies, and Theme Park Studies. His academic journey includes a PhD in North American literatures from the University of Constance (Germany) in 2011, followed by postdoctoral research at the Obama Institute, JGU Mainz. His educational background includes: 1998-2005: Student of English and French, University of Konstanz, Germany 2002-2003: Exchange student, Department of American Studies, Yale University 2006-2011: Doctoral Student, Department of Literature, University of Konstanz 2009: Visiting Scholar, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada 2015-2016: Visiting Scholar, CityTech (CUNY), New York, USA Freitag's research interests span Transnational American Studies, Canadian Studies, Popular Culture, Theme Park Studies, Periodical Studies, Performance Studies, and Hurricane Katrina studies. His work explores the intersections of cultural representation, spatial theory, and transnational flows, with particular attention to how American culture travels and transforms in global contexts. He has made significant contributions to understanding theme parks as cultural spaces that negotiate national identity, transnational influences, and historical narratives through spatial design, narrative construction, and visitor experience. His publications reveal a strong focus on how themed spaces mediate cultural understanding across national boundaries. His scholarship demonstrates how popular culture forms like theme parks serve as important arenas for cultural work that often goes unrecognized in more traditional academic contexts. His work examines the political dimensions of themed environments, the adaptation of classical mythology in global theme parks, and how cities like New Orleans are represented across different media forms. Among his notable scientific contributions are his books The Farm Novel in North America: Genre and Nation in the United States, English Canada, and French Canada, 1845-1945 (Camden House 2013), Popular New Orleans: The Crescent City in Periodicals, Theme Parks, and Opera, 1875-2015 (Routledge 2021), and Key Concepts in Theme Park Studies: Understanding Tourism and Leisure Spaces (Springer 2023), which established him as a leading scholar in interdisciplinary theme park studies. Freitag has also been active in academic service, including co-editing special issues and volumes on intersectionality, Chinese theme parks, and transnational approaches to North American regionalism. His work demonstrates a commitment to interdisciplinary approaches that bridge literary studies, cultural geography, and media studies, with significant contributions to understanding cultural representation in themed environments.
David J. Levin is a Professor at the University of Chicago, holding affiliations in Germanic Studies, Cinema & Media Studies, Theater & Performance Studies, and the College. With a PhD from UC Berkeley (1992), he has taught at UChicago since 1998 and served as Senior Advisor to the Provost for Arts (2018-2023). He previously held a Visiting Professorship at the University of Oslo (2014-2019) and founded the Gray Center for Arts and Inquiry (2011-2016). PhD in Germanic Studies, UC Berkeley (1992) Teaching at UChicago since 1998 Visiting Professor, University of Oslo (2014-2019) Founding Director, Gray Center for Arts and Inquiry (2011-2016) His research spans Opera Studies, Theater and Performance, Cinema, and Dance, focusing on the interpretive and political dimensions of staging. He explores Wagner’s dramaturgy, digital reproducibility in opera, and the interplay between immersion and critique. His current book projects examine Wagner’s pedagogical politics and opera’s digital transformation. The articles he has published reflect a deep engagement with operatic and cinematic modernism, the ethics of adaptation, and the role of the dramaturg in interdisciplinary performance. His work bridges German literature, musicology, and critical theory. Levin’s editorial and collaborative roles include Executive Editor of The Opera Quarterly (2005-2015), dramaturg positions with German and U.S. opera houses, and collaborations with choreographers like William Forsythe and Saar Magal.
Rebecca Schneider is a Professor of Modern Culture and Media at Brown University, specializing in performance studies, decolonial methods, and interdisciplinary art practices. Her work interrogates intersections of media, theatre, and Black feminist thought, with a focus on historical reenactment, gesture ethics, and postcolonial critique. Her research interests span decolonial methodologies, liveness in performance, and the prehistories of screen media. Key projects include *This Shoal Which is Not One* (2020), exploring African diasporic narratives, and *Slough Media* (2018), which examines media's materiality. She has been awarded a Guggenheim Fellowship (2021) and the Notable Book Award (2011). Schneider has contributed to journals like TDR, edited special issues on precarity and new materialisms, and collaborated with global institutions including the British Museum and Guggenheim. Her current projects include a digital book on gesture and a work on dance in post-slavery capitalism.
Dr. Naomi Matsumoto is a Reader in Music at Goldsmiths, University of London , specializing in opera studies, music historiography, and Baroque performance practices. She serves as Convenor of the Integrated Degree in Music and International Admissions Tutor, bridging academic administration with research leadership. Key affiliations: Royal Musical Association, Society for Seventeenth-Century Music, Japan Musicological Society Fellowships: Royal Society of Arts, Royal Historical Society Research Interests include: Operatic madness from Monteverdi to Donizetti Baroque performance conventions and manuscript studies Transnational reception of Western opera in Japan Interdisciplinary work with medical history and cultural studies Her publications focus on Lucia di Lammermoor , Carmen , and Madama Butterfly , examining their cultural adaptations and diagnostic representations. Recent projects explore Wagner's influence on Japanese theatre and Bess of Bedlam's identity crisis. Scientific Awards : Overseas Research Scholarship British Federation of Women Graduates Award Gladys Krieble Delmas Foundation Award Daiwa Anglo-Japanese Foundation Award Japan Society for the Promotion of Science Award Royal Musical Association Prize As an educator , she supervises areas in 17th-19th century Italian opera, intercultural reception studies, and Baroque performance. She contributes to critical editions and liner notes for major musical releases.
