2024 · McGill University · Co-founded & Chaired
Tech-Enhanced Music Education Symposium (TEMES)
Co-founded by Alberto Acquilino, Theodora Nestorova and Ziyue Piao, TEMES gathered researchers, educators, technologists and students from across North America and Europe to explore how technology can advance music learning and creativity. The hybrid panel welcomed 100+ in-person and remote participants alongside student demos from international institutions including Mila - Quebec AI Institute, Ottawa University and the University of Music and Performing Arts Vienna.
Highlights
- Keynote by Eran Egozy (MIT Music Technology Lab; co-founder, Harmonix Music Systems — Guitar Hero™, Rock Band™)
- Panels with McGill faculty and international experts from Carnegie Mellon University, New England Conservatory and University of Luxembourg
- Student demos from Mila, Ottawa University and the University of Music and Performing Arts Vienna
- Live performances and collaborations showcasing tech-enhanced music learning
Themes & Structure
As technology evolves rapidly, what trends in the coming years do you anticipate will significantly impact music education? This question anchored the symposium and branched into four threads: enhancing music training and performance; technology’s pedagogical impact from studio to stage; music participation and engagement; and accessibility and inclusion.
- Enhancing music training and performance
- Technology’s pedagogical impact from studio to stage
- Music participation and engagement
- Accessibility and inclusion
Each of the first three themes paired two experts (one in-person, one online) to spark contrasting perspectives for the hybrid audience, followed by an open discussion. A final collective dialogue linked all insights back to inclusivity and accessibility, with moderator reflections closing the session.
Panelists
- Eran Egozy (MIT) — Co-founder of Harmonix (Guitar Hero™, Rock Band™); MIT Professor of the Practice of Music Technology focusing on interactive music systems.
- Roger Dannenberg (Carnegie Mellon) — Computer music pioneer behind computer accompaniment, Audacity and the first intelligent Piano Tutor; professor emeritus in CS, Art & Music.
- Isabelle Cossette (McGill) — Leads the Music Performance and Body Lab; develops science- and tech-informed instrument pedagogies centered on biomechanics and musician health.
- Ian Howell (New England Conservatory) — Voice scientist and Associate Professor of Voice; bridges acoustic analysis, digital signal processing and vocal pedagogy.
- Andrea Creech (McGill) — Professor of Music Pedagogy; researches inclusion, informal learning and music across the lifespan, holding a James McGill Professorship.
- Luc Nijs (University of Luxembourg) — Studies embodied music learning and technology-mediated musician-instrument interaction; co-founder of the Jonet Chair on Music Making and Social Action.
Moderators
- Dr. Liliana Araújo (McGill) — Applied Performance Sciences scholar leading Canada’s first APS Hub; focuses on performers’ health, wellbeing and sustainable artistic careers.
- André Januário (McGill) — Bassoonist, lecturer and researcher exploring instrument design and performance practice; active internationally as performer and collaborator.
Impact
The symposium was recognized by the McGill University Engagement Fund for its impact on the academic and local community. TEMES fostered collaboration and innovation in tech-enhanced music education, advancing inclusive, research-informed practice and community engagement.