My research proposes a new pathway for the use of music in the development of new human-computer interfaces. Due to its demonstrated capacity to both communicate and modulate affective and physiological states, music has unique potential as a novel information channel between humans and computers, and between humans when communication is mediated by computers. I create new brain-body music technologies that translate between neurophysiological signals (e.g., electroencephalography (EEG), electrocardiography (ECG), electrodermal activity (EDA), respiration) and musical sound in real-time to allow communication of emotion between humans and computers. I develop the scientific methods needed to analyze physiological data to measure the therapeutic mechanisms behind beneficial brain-body music entrainment and optimize the translation of this physiological data into music for therapeutic means. In my experiments I engineer musical sounds to influence the rhythms that drive the physiological processes in the brain, heart, and central nervous system, and in my music, I explore the expressive potential of sonifying (converting into sound) the physiological signals that accompany affective communication.
keywords
Human-centered computing, Human-computer interfaces, electronic music, algorithmic composition, audio engineering, music perception and cognition, EEG, digital signal processing
Teaching
courses taught
ATLS 4519 - Advanced Special Topics
Primary Instructor
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Fall 2022 / Fall 2023 / Spring 2024 / Fall 2024
Analyzes special interest areas of multidisciplinary creative technology and design research and practice. May be repeated up to 32 total credit hours.
ATLS 5519 - Advanced Special Topics in Creative Technology and Design
Primary Instructor
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Fall 2022 / Fall 2023 / Spring 2024 / Fall 2024
Analyzes special interest areas of multidisciplinary creative technologies and design research and practice. May be repeated up to 9 total credit hours for different topics.
ATLS 7500 - ATLAS Graduate Research Methods
Primary Instructor
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Fall 2023 / Fall 2024
The objective of this course is to provide a primer for key methodological approaches used in the field. Students will investigate a broad set of techniques for conducting theoretical, design, and experimental research. They will explore how to formulate and investigate research questions using these methods. Topics covered will include basic research ethics, research project design, approaches to constructing theory, research through design techniques, and methods for experimental study. May be repeated up to 6 total credit hours.
MUSC 4151 - Topics in Music Analysis
Primary Instructor
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Spring 2023 / Spring 2024
Examines critically a specific topic or repertory, such as Song Analysis or Music of Brahms. Uses readings and analyses, with grades to be determined from reading responses, analytical assignments and writing. Offered fall of even-numbered years.
MUSC 5151 - Topics in Music Analysis
Primary Instructor
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Spring 2023
Analytical study of a specific topic to be determined by the instructor (e.g., German Lieder, Bartok quartets, tonal rhythm, Schenker, etc). Study published analyses representing a variety of methodologies and produce original analyses. Student must have passed graduate preliminary exams or completed remediation before enrolling in this course. Recommended prerequisite: MUSC 5061 or MUSC 5071 as appropriate to the topic, or instructor consent required.
