Students

Alfred was born in Kyiv, Ukraine, with a Ukrainian mother and a Cuban father. After accomplishing his bachelor's exam in composition, Alfred continued with master studies in Malmö Academy of Music with Prof. Luca Francesconi. Alfred received his master's degree in spring 2015 after graduating with his second chamber opera "Clownen Jac".

Peter S. Shin 신세종 (b. 1991) is a composer whose music navigates issues of national belonging, the co-opting and intermingling of disparate musical vernaculars, and the liminality between the two halves of his second-generation Korean-U.S. American identity. The New York Times described him as “a composer to watch” and his music “entirely fresh and personal” following his premiere at Carnegie Hall.

Kayla Cashetta is a composer whose work incorporates analog, digital, and acoustic instruments and practices.

Hallie Smith is a musician based in Berkeley, California. Her research is oriented towards building soft circuits/sensors, coding, installations, and emotional music. Previous and upcoming collaborations for Hallie include: the Eco Ensemble, the SMASH ensemble, saxophonist Drew Whiting, writer/producer Felix M., The Boston Conservatory Contemporary Performance Ensemble, bartender Mel Johnson.

Didem Coskunseven is a composer, sound artist and electronic musician based in Berkeley, CA. Coskunseven’s works vary between acoustic compositions for ensembles, electronic music, installations for gallery spaces and productions for stage focusing on creating multi-sensorial experience. She performs as a computer musician and improvisor collaborating with dancers, choreographers and video designers. 

Clara Olivares (b. 1993) is a Franco-Spanish composer. After studying the piano at the Conservatory of Strasbourg, she entered the composition curriculum with Mark André in 2011, then continued studying with Philippe Manoury, Daniel D’Adamo, Thierry Blondeau and Annette Schlüntz. She also received advice from Chaya Czernowin, Philippe Schoeller and Alberto Posadas.

Andrew Blanton is a media artist and percussionist. He received his BM in Music Performance from The University of Denver (2008) and a Masters of Fine Arts in New Media Art at the University of North Texas (2013). He is currently an Assistant Professor of Digital Media Art at San Jose State University in San Jose California teaching data visualization.

Maija Hynninen (b. 1977) – composer and sound artist – incorporates in her work the human voice, live electronics and multidisciplinary performances. She entered the Sibelius Academy in 2003 (M.Mus. 2011) to study with Paavo Heininen while also working for a violin diploma at the Norwegian Academy of Music.