ESP Biography

Introduction to the math and physics behind waves with a focus on sound waves and how the physical properties of sound has been a driving force behind music history and evolution. First half of the class will focus on a conceptual introduction to the math and physics of waves, second half will focus on how music history, analysis, and composition relates to the material from the first half. Goal of this class is to use the math and physics of music to answer the question “what is music and what makes it sound good?”

How do you 3D print someone’s brain? Their heart? What is all the hype over 3D printing about? What even is 3D printing? This class will provide an overview of current 3D printing technologies, their applications and limitations, and current research. We will explore the science behind 3D printing modalities such as fused deposition modeling, stereolithography, and selective laser sintering. We will also give a brief primer on image processing and segmentation, and discuss the connection between 3D printing, 3D modeling, and image processing. Finally, we will cover examples of 3D printing and image processing, mainly for biomedical applications.

Introduction to the math and physics behind waves with a focus on sound waves and how the physical properties of sound has been a driving force behind music history and evolution. First half of the class will focus on a conceptual introduction to the math and physics of waves, second half will focus on how music history, analysis, and composition relates to the material from the first half. Goal of this class is to use the math and physics of music to answer the question “what is music and what makes it sound good?”

Covers music history from late Beethoven to modern music. Will focus on the transition from Classical to Romantic styles, the Romantic era, and how this led to Impressionism, 20th Century music, and beyond. We will survey the biographical and historical contexts of key composers and the innovative theoretical and philosophical aspects of their music.

Covers music history from prehistoric music through Beethoven. Will focus on Gothic, Renaissance, Baroque, and Classical composers (1-2 from each period), and will cover the biographical and historical context of a few key composers and the innovative theoretical and philosophical aspects of their music.

Gustav Mahler was one of the greatest composers to ever live—many musicologists put him on par with Bach or Beethoven—yet Mahler still today does not receive the broader recognition that his colleagues do. This class will explore Mahler’s life, music, and world, and the legacy of his music in the broader context of Western art music. We will analyze excerpts of his symphonies, and discuss listening selections and videos of performances.

This class will be a survey of music history from the end of the Romantic period up to the present day. We will discuss primarily on early to mid 20th Century art music and the broader historical and philosophical significance of many musical works from this time period. Class will be structured around analysis and discussion of key works from major composers. Goal is to explore how world events (e.g. the World Wars, Great Depression, Imperialism, advent of the computer and motion picture) shaped music, and how music in turn shaped current events. Focus is on art music, with popular music and jazz if time allows.

Introduction to the math and physics behind waves with a focus on sound waves and how the physical properties of sound has been a driving force behind music history. First half of the class will focus on a conceptual introduction to the math and physics of waves, second half will focus on how music history, analysis, and composition relates to the material from the first half. Goal of this class is to use the math and physics of music to answer the question “what is music and what makes it sound good?”. Students are more than welcome to drop by for only one half.

Some of the basic math/physics behind waves with a focus on sound waves and a look into how these properties of sound have been a driving force behind music history. First half of the class will focus on the math/physics, second half will focus on music history, analysis, and composition and the applications of the material from the first half. For the history portion, the emphasis will be on the mathematics and physical properties of music and instruments throughout history. Students are more than welcome to drop by for only one half.

Covers music history from prehistoric music through Beethoven. Will focus on Gothic, Renaissance, Baroque, and Classical composers (1-2 from each period), and will cover the biography and historical context of a few key composers and the innovative theoretical and philosophical aspects of their music.

Covers music history from late Beethoven to modern music. Will focus on the transition from Classical to Romantic styles, the Romantic era, and how this led to Impressionism, 20th Century music, and beyond. We will study key composers and the biographical and historical contexts and the innovative theoretical and philosophical aspects of their music.

Some of the basic math/physics behind waves with a focus on sound waves and a look into how these properties of sound have been a driving force behind music history. First half of the class will focus on the math/physics, second half will focus on music history, analysis, and composition and the applications of the material from the first half. For the history portion, the emphasis will be on the mathematics and physical properties of music and instruments throughout history. Students are more than welcome to pop in for only one half.

1000 years of music history in 100 minutes. We will listen to and analyze various examples from the major musical time periods starting with Medieval and going all the way up to modern music. Focus will be on the lives and history of the composers and the historical significance of their musical innovations and compositional techniques. The last hour of the class will be devoted to questions and diving deeper into any material requested. Students are more than welcome to come and go since time periods will be taught chronologically and fairly independently of each other.

Exploring some of the mathematical and physical concepts behind musical pitch, harmony, and instruments. In the first part we'll look at some of the math and physics of waves and use these concepts to explain the overtone series and its applications in composition and instrument technique. In the second part will discuss musical harmony (dissonance and consonance) from the perspective of mathematics and explore its role in music history.

Exploration and discussion of the evolution of classical music from Beethoven and the Romantic era to Schoenberg, Berg, and Webern and beyond into modern day music. Will include discussion of various listening selections.