Current postgraduate researchers

Composition as documentary practice

This project sets out to bring the techniques of documentary film and theatre to music composition. Robert is supervised by Dr Richard Baker, Dr Laura Bowler and Prof Andy Lavender.

An investigation into the techniques and devices of contemporary jazz guitar

This project investigates  the techniques and devices of contemporary jazz guitar stylists Kurt Rosenwinkel, Wolfgang Muthspiel, Julian Lage and Jesse Van Ruller. Chris is supervised by Dr Paul Newland and Malcolm Miles.

Chris is a member of staff teaching in the Jazz department.

The new sound of Jazz

This project explores the influence of African rhythm on 21st Century American jazz. Andy is supervised by Dr Richard Baker and Robert Mitchell. 

Drawing in and on Guildhall: what happens when I take my practice of live graphic recording out of its commercial context?

Beatrice is trying to find out what happens when you move the practice of Live Graphic Recording from a commercial context into the world of collaborative theatre and back again. Beatrice is supervised by Emily Orley and Susannah Henry.

‘Making it real’: the role of the librettist in the creation of verbatim opera.

An exploration into the uses of verbatim text in operatic performance, positioning the librettist as mediator, collector and co-curator. The project also looks at the ethical implications of using verbatim material, including from marginalised communities and as trauma writing, and the ongoing relationships between writer, subject, composer and performer.

Towards fearless elite music performance training

Drawing on Psychological Safety research from fields like organisational and elite sports psychology, Margarida is studying how a climate of candor and interpersonal risk-taking is best applied and fostered within elite music performance training for optimal learning and performance. Margarida is supervised by Dr Karen Wise and Sophia Jowett.

Shifting power: democracy in cultural organisations

Adaptability and Transition of the Newly Qualified Music Therapist: Tools, Tea and Therapy

Earth music: exploring ways to integrate experiences of physical natural environments and their materialities with composition practices. 

Amy's research explores ways to musicalise physical experiences of naturally occurring materialities, phenomena, and environments through the practice of music composition. Amy is supervised by Prof Julian Philips, Dr Hollie Harding and Nell Catchpole.

Amateurism and Post-Disciplinary Practices in Music Composition.

This project looks at how approaches to music composition vary between 'amateur' and 'professional' composers, and what techniques, aesthetics, or concepts are gained or lost through learning and experience.

Towards a Neurocosmopolitan Model of Music Therapy with Autistic People: An Heuristic Inquiry

My research uses the process of heuristic inquiry to look at how the principles of the neurodiversity paradigm can influence music therapy practice with autistic people, moving towards a neurocosmopolitan approach. The living experience of autistic people is emphasised within my research, which will include an online survey, interviews and musical improvisation, as well as my own personal reflections on the topic. Hilary is supervised by Dr Karen Wise, Dr Kate Jones, and Dr Beth Pickard.

When Film Music Channels Misogyny.

This research will incorporate a summary history of feminist film criticism, asking at each turn how the critical constructs of the field (such as scopophilia and the presence of the male gaze) can be understood compositionally. Through a practice-as-research project, I will investigate Hitchcock’s cinematic grammar of the male point of view with special emphasis on the part of it that is least studied: the music.

'Imperfectionisms': composing as a discipline of correspondence

Investigating the Impact of the Feldenkrais Method on Classical Singers’ Technique, Performance, Wellbeing and Artistry.

Lars is researching how singers trained in the Feldenkrais Method demonstrate differences in vocal technique, performance qualities, vocal health and artistry compared to
singers trained using conventional vocal pedagogy.

Visible music: composition approaches

Fátima is exploring differing compositional strategies for dealing with music that is to to be staged. Fátima is supervised by Prof Julian Philips, Dr Hollie Harding and Dr Paul Newland.

The Book of Disquiet as a dramatic work - narrativity, temporality and dream in music

Through the creation of a series of new musical works for various forces, this doctoral research project consists of a sustained creative engagement with The Book of Disquiet by Fernando Pessoa, intercepted by a series of adaptive techniques, obtained through an engagement with established theories in adaptation studies. Framed as Practice-as-Research, the project aims to document the combination of creative, adaptive, interpretative, and analytical processes within the author’s practice, thereby offering new insight into both musical composition, and adaptation studies. Francisco is supervised by Dr Richard Baker, Prof Julian Philips and Matt Kaner.

Cross-fertilising medievalist aesthetics and spectral techniques in compositional practice

This project explores pacing, orchestration, and rhythmical fluidity of 14th century spectral music. Thomas is supervised by Prof Julian Anderson and Prof Nye Parry.

Bécquer, the Rimas (1871) and the emergence of a Spanish Lied

This project investigates the influence German romanticism, philosophy, ideas and aesthetics on Spanish writers and composers. Ricardo is supervised by Prof Sir Barry Ife and Graham Johnson.

Ricardo teaches as a Spanish language coach in the Vocal Studies department.

On Material Covering: Compositional Approaches to Conceptual Musical Covering

Joseph is researching how layers of musical material can be perceptibly shrouded or concealed through the superimposition of other musical layers. Joseph is supervised by Dr Paul Newland and Dr Sylvia Lim.

Navigating the Third Space in Facilitation and Practice

Sandeep is researching community music, transnational relations and devising process-oriented workshops in India and the UK. He is supervised by Dr Biranda Ford, Dr Preetha Narayanan and Dr Jo Gibson.

Translating the abstract: building a language of movement from the text and music of Kurtág's Kafka fragments

Becky is an opera singer researching approaches to movement in the performance of Kurtág's Kafka fragments. She is supervised by Prof Cormac Newark, Dr Toby Young, and Charlie Morgan.

Rational Emotive Behaviour Coaching as an intervention for psychological wellbeing and performance anxiety?

Jo is researching REBC as a means to equip conservatoire music students with the psychological skills to enable them to respond positively to the challenges they face. Jo is supervised by Dr Karen Wise and Jane Cook.

Jo holds the post of Performance Confidence Associate and was formerly Deputy Head of Wind, Brass and Percussion.

Exploring Romanticism: A Portfolio of Original Music Compositions

Composing with the aesthetic traits of romanticism and their stylistic implications. Owen is supervised by Prof Julian Philips, Prof Julian Anderson and Dr Steve Potter.

Composing Blackness: How can the processes, aesthetics and performance of Afro-diasporic music inform the creation of contemporary classical music?

Exploring how black musical thought can change and merge with contemporary classical to create new musical forms. Blasio is supervised by Prof Julian Philips, Corey Mwamba and Jan Hendrickse.

Transforming lived experience through the human voice – creative responses to the subject of mental health in contemporary vocal composition.

This practice-based research explores various methods of expressing lived experience through music composition, investigating how music can embody a documentary character. By integrating recorded speech, vocal performance, and diverse collaborative models, Michał's work examines the ethical considerations related to the authenticity of this representation, focusing on amplifying voices from underrepresented backgrounds. Michał is supervised by Prof Julian Philips, Prof Stephen Plaice and Dr Toby Young.

Sonata, what do you mean to me?

What does it mean to write piano sonatas in the 21st century? How does a composer today find a personal response to a canonical artefact? Matthew is supervised by Prof Julian Anderson, Laurence Crane, and Rolf Hind.

Matthew is a member of teaching staff in the Composition department.

The use of Vaccai's 'metodo pratico' as a dialogic tool in vocal pedagogy: towards a new edition

This project examines how a tradition and an aesthetic such as that of bel canto is passed on in studio pedagogy. Amy is supervised by Dr Karen Wise.

Amy teaches at Guildhall's Saffron Centre for Young Musicians.

(Un)Equal Temperaments: Finding practical solutions for the performance of non-12 Equal Temperaments by western concert performers

Strategies for rounding, performance and notation of Equal Temperaments. Pedro is supervised by Prof Julian Anderson and Malcolm Singer.

Domenico Corri’s ‘Singer’s Preceptor’ (1810): a critical study of its content, its potential use as a pedagogical tool in Music Conservatoires and its socio-political context in Scottish cultural life

This project interrogates Corri’s writings as a window through which to peer at the origins of the ‘’Bel Canto’’ school of singing. Mhairi is supervised by Prof Cormac Newark.

Mhairi teaches in the Historical Performance and Vocal Studies departments.

An operatic everyday

This composition project focusses on the ‘everyday’, the slippage between diegetic and non-diegetic musics, and transmedial adaption. Oliver is supervised by Prof Julian Philips and Dr Richard Baker.

Oliver is the current holder of the ROH Composer in Residence studentship.

Inclusive Teaching Practices in the Training of Music Therapists- Working Towards a Diverse, Inclusive and Supported Profession.

Creating a knowledge base exploring issues of diversity, equity and inclusion in music therapy as a contribution to curriculum and teaching development.

The disappearing boundary: A study on Chinese influences in Western piano compositions

Ke is researching the adoption of Chinese elements by Western composers in their compositions. Ke is supervised by Prof Ronan O'Hora and Rolf Hind.

Turning Singers’ Anxiety in Art-Song Performance Upside-Down: Adding Improvisational State of Mind, Including Speech-Inspired Emotional Prosody, to the Equation.

This performance-based research examines classical singers' performance anxiety and the incorporation of improvisational elements as a tool to cope with it. Adaya is supervised by John Sloboda, David Dolan, and Samantha Malk.

Composing in the uncanny valley

William is researching how concepts and theories of the uncanny may be of use to composers in their practice. William is supervised by Dr Richard Baker and Laurence Crane.

If You Build It, They Will Come: New Approaches To Concert Production For The 21st Century

This project seeks to addresse issues in classical engagement, including scale, content, and presentation through a series of multi-modal concerts. Jon is supervised by Dr Richard Baker and Dr Toby Young.

The Viola Sings: How Open Mics Can Inform the Development of ‘Arts Without Boundaries’

Sarah is investigating collaborative performance platforms that reframe borders between artists and audiences. Sarah is supervised by Dr Paul Newland and Sean Gregory.

Sarah is the current holder of the Barbican-Guildhall Studentship.

How might we ‘feminize’ actor training in the post-Grotowskian tradition

Anna-Helena's project navigates identity, authority, gender and interpretation in post-Grotowskian performer training. Anna-Helena is supervised by Prof Andy Lavender.

Bridging the bonds: can the care home become an active part of the local community through intergenerational music-making?

Liv is exploring community music as a musical-social-spatial practice in the context of care homes. Liv is supervised by Prof John Sloboda and Dr Jo Gibson.

Persian Carpetology as the Performance of Ritual

Maryam is investigating the hand-woven Persian Carpet and the processes of designing, weaving, darning and cleaning of this craft as the Contemporary Performance-art. Her project is funded by Guildhall Research Department. Maryam is supervised by Emily Orley, Laurence Crane, Laudan Nooshin.

Stealing and Stretching: The manipulation of time perception in contemporary performance practice as a composition technique

Sean is exploring how polyrhythmic, polymetric and polytemporal forms contribute to the development of the musical narrative. Sean is supervised by Dr Richard Baker and Dr Steve Potter.

Musical Performance in the Age of Live Music Recordings

Tatjana is investigating musicians’ perceptions of live-streaming in the context of the Covid-19 pandemic. Tatjana is supervised by Prof Cormac Newark, Dr Sarah Fuchs and Jacqueline Ross.

Unlocking experiences of hormonal contraception through performance practice

Katie is researching how performance practice can unearth and disseminate the ‘healthy patient’ experiences of women taking hormonal contraception/HRT. Katie is supervised by Dr Karen Wise, and Dr Alex Mermikides.

Katie is the holder of the Guildhall Arts and Health Studentship and has recently started teaching in the Production Arts department.

Unveiling the global stage for Chinese female pianists -- Musical Performing, Piano Education and Feminism in Chinese Cultural Context.

Since the founding of the People's Republic of China (PRC) in 1949, my project traces the professional development, performance aesthetics and repertoire evolution of Chinses women pianists across different historical periods, driven by the dynamic evolution of feminist ideologies in China. It also takes further investigation in the pedagogical methodology that specifically tailored for female piano learners within the broader context of Chinese piano education.

Locating Brazilian music within Contemporary Jazz Performance Practice

This project examines the convergence of jazz and Brazilian music and contemporary approaches to performing, arranging and improvising. Ed is supervised by Prof Julian Anderson, and Adam Osmianski.

Who got the power? Investigating power dynamics in one-to-one music therapy

Marianne is investigating how power dynamics present and fluctuate between music therapists and their patients. Marianne is supervised by Dr Karen Wise and Dr Kate Jones.

The Illusion Of One Hand

'Robert will compose a set of works for left hand only piano, measuring their effects on and feedback from a study group of pianists and potential implications for piano education. Robert is supervised by Dr Biranda Ford and Dr Steve Potter.

Searching for the lost treasure investigating classical Improvisation on the guitar in the 19th century

This project aims to bring practices of the past into dialogue with the present looking for transformative potentials along the way and in that process. In particular this research investigates improvisational practices on the classical guitar in the 19th century. Thomas is supervised by Dr Amy Blier-Carruthers, Professor David Dolan, Matthew Kaner and Toby Carr.

Orchestrating Scriabin’s Colour Hearing to Understand the Psychological Association Between Emotion, Colour and Timbre

Explore the comparisons between the ‘Chinese’ and ‘Western’ piano pedagogy on how the metaphor of orchestral instruments have been utilised in the piano practice and performances. Monica is supervised by Professor Ronan O'Hora and Dr Maria Razumovskaya.

Towards a Discursive Voice: Composing Electronic Music With Text

This project is concerned with devising new compositional methods for electroacoustic music that critically engage with the aesthetics of immersion. Seth is supervised by Prof Nye Parry and Dr Steve Potter. 

The Poetic Body in Visual Theatre: Co devising the lived experience of trauma

Mayra is investigating the impact of co-devising with people who have experienced PTSD. 

Iranian Opera, Phoenix Rising: The role of the collaborative and international Librettist

This project explores opera making and writing in Iran through the lens of the role of the librettist. Nazli is supervised by Prof Cormac Newark and Stephen Plaice.

Those who can, teach! A critical insight into current vocational teaching practices.

This project explores vocational pedagogy in higher education and how educational providers might respond to to changing student need. Andy is supervised by Dr Biranda Ford.

Andy is Head of Theatre Technology and Programme Leader on the BA Digital Design & Production. 

Teachers performing care: creating a framework of performance theory and practice for analysing caregiving in teaching practice and supporting the teacher-carer

Christina is exploring performative modes of understanding caregiving in teaching and the practical possibilities for artistic explorations of care in schools. Christina is supervised by Dr Biranda Ford and Dr Alex Mermikides.

Music Education Training, Social Justice and the ‘Class Ceiling’

This project examines how training in music conservatoires can most effectively support transformational change in young, underprivileged, lives. Jonathan is supervised by Prof John Sloboda.

Jonathan is Principal of Guildhall School.

Beyond Precision: Embracing the Spectrum of Movement in Digital Animation - A Study of Neurodiversity, Nuance and Authenticity in Motion Capture

This project fits into interdisciplinary fields at the intersection of digital technology, cinematic performance capture, and human physiology. It focuses on recording and representing the full spectrum of human movement, especially those subtleties often overlooked in conventional motion capture processes. Pete is working to create and document practice-based research alongside practitioners within acting, neurodiversity studies, and biomechanics. Offering fresh perspectives on how digital animation could more authentically represent the diversity of human expressions, experiences and movements.

The Singer’s Strategy: Accessibility, multi-modality and audiation in vocal jazz improvisation.

This project sits at the intersection of jazz improvisational pedagogy, audiation in vocal pedagogy, and neurodivergence, language development and echolalia (including Gestalt Language Processing). The project will develop an original jazz improvisational system for vocalists, informed by contemporary neuroscientific, musicological and pedagogical research.

Costuming the Collapse: a posthuman investigation into the degradation of the natural environment through performance costume

Rachel is exploring (dis)connection to the natural world through practical, mailable, and tangible outcomes. Linking to sustainable and considerate costume practices. Rachel is supervised by Emily Orley and Susannah Henry.

Forging a Composer’s Diasporic Identity: An Exploration of Chinese Cultural Symbols in My Practice.

Po Hang (Arthur) is creating a portfolio of original music by exploring interculturality and incorporating Chinese Cultural Symbols (CCS). He is  being supervised by Julian Anderson, Malcolm Singer, and Raymond Yiu.

Structural Organisation of Noisy Music – Finding a personal method of organising music with inharmonic sonorities.

This projects explores the ways transformations of noise and inharmonicity can be used as a structural element, particularly as an alternative to pitch organisation. Efe is supervised by Prof. Julian Anderson and Dr Aaron Einbond.

Understanding the Abstract: Application of Musical Archetypes to Representational Music

Goi is researching how composers may use cross-cultural musical gestures to represent extra-musical ideas in their compositions. He is  being supervised by Dr Richard Baker, Matt Kaner and Julian Anderson.

Performing Nuevo Tango on the free-bass accordion: functionality, technique, timbre

This research explores the potential of the free-bass accordion in nuevo tango performance and composition. Qianyu is supervised by Prof Sir Barry Ife, and Dr Steve Potter.