Research Goals

My specializations and research interests are in music theory, composition, arranging, performance, music technology, multimedia, Internet applications, computer-mediation, learning, and creativity. These activities can be clustered into four areas:

1) Multimedia: DVD production and Internet integration.

Research in sound spatialization in the 5.1 surround environment, audio and video processing using Max/MSP and Jitter, DVD-Audio mixing and production.

2) Composition and computer-mediated performance: music composition for a variety of acoustic and electronic situations, designing and implementing interactive performance systems for my own works and in collaboration with other artists.

In the short run I would like to develop my catalog of works. I am interested in new “American” music (the confluence of European and African traditions in the northern and southern hemispheres), and exploring new environments and interfaces. I would like to publish an article or short book about interactive systems including the approach I have developed in my works over the past ten years. I will look for opportunities to work with others artists such as composers, performers, dancers, actors, writers, visual artists, and videographers.

I have submitted an article on my approach to "programmable instruments".

In the long run I would like to grow as a composer and performer of music, and to help others realize their creative goals.

3) Analysis: the study of interesting compositions and techniques, and the process of making them understandable to others.

I have submitted an article on the music of Conlon Nancarrow.

I have had three entries accepted for the second edition of the Encyclopedia of Recorded Sound in the United States, on Don Buchla, ProTools, and Antônio Carlos ("Tom") Jobim.

In the long run I would like to have a deeper understanding of the evolution and experience of music, the creative and listening processes, and to have made available what I have learned to others.

4) Music of Brazil. I have had four entries accepted for the forthcoming Greenwood Encyclopedia of Latin Music on the influence of bossa nova, music of Brazil, electronic instruments, and keyboards. I co-wrote a method book with Alfredo Cardim and produced the playalong CD for Hal Leonard's Brazilian Piano, and produced a MusicSoft disk of Alfredo called Brazilian Nights for Yamaha.

5) Research and documentation of regional music

Documenting Creole/Zydeco accordian and violin music
Presenting paper on using DVD for archiving culture.
Interview with Michael Doucet, Cajun violinist