Visual and Performing Arts News

Audio Engineering Society Student Recording Competition Finalists!

Published October 24, 2023

Audio and Sound

Three Michigan Tech Students were selected as finalists in the Audio Engineering Society (AES) Student Recording Competition. They will present their recordings at the AES Conference in NYC on October 26th.

Spencer Beasley (Audio Production and Technology) was selected as a finalist in the Modern Studio Recording & Electronic Music category for his recording “Glass Air”.

Matthew Fisher (Sound Design) was selected as a finalist in the Sound for Visual Media category for his recording “Alarm”.

Rowdy Vyverberg (Sound Design) also was selected as a finalist in the Sound for Visual Media category for his recording “RPG Audio Implementation”.

Finalists in the music mixing competition were students from major international universities, including the Peabody Institute (Johns Hopkins), University of Toronto, Hochschule Düsseldorf, McGill University, Indiana University, and Arizona State University. Michigan Tech was the only school with three student finalists in the competition. Congratulations!

Midwest Arts XPO Conference Report

Published October 4, 2023

By Tanya Maki

Art

Kier Birondo (Rozsa Marketing Manager) and Hannah Rundman Lowney (Rozsa Audience Manager) recently attended the Midwest Arts XPO in Indianapolis, IN. They served on four panels that tie directly to the mission of Michigan Tech: launching new technologies through innovation.

Traditional Media, Social Media, and AI: Rozsa digital programs were a popular topic of discussion. Many people were interested in connecting with Kier to learn more about the implementation and the performance of digital programs at the Rozsa Center.

Presenting in Rural Communities: A participant told Hannah after the session that the Rozsa Center and the many ways it operates and the things that are happening there was their primary takeaway from the entire conference, confirming the positive and noteworthy reputation of the Rozsa Center.

Ticketing Systems & Data Management: Many session attendees were there specifically to learn about the Pay As You Are Able (PAYA) ticketing initiative at the Rozsa Center.

Making Your Events More Earth Friendly: This session highlighted the sustainability strategic initiatives implemented at the Rozsa Center, resulting in paper and waste reduction and saving Michigan Tech thousands of dollars.

Christopher Plummer and Andrew Burton Presenting at Oct. 9 Research Forum

Published October 4, 2023

By Tanya Maki

Audio and Sound

by Office of the Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs

Distinguished Professor Christopher Plummer (Visual & Performing Arts) and Distinguished Professor Andrew Burton (College of Forest Resources and Environmental Science) will be featured at the Michigan Tech Research Forum (MTRF) on October 9. The event will be held in the Memorial Union Ballroom A. The lectures will begin at 4 p.m. Networking and light refreshments will begin at 3:45 p.m. and will continue after the lectures.

Plummer’s presentation is titled “Sound as a foundation of our built and digital environments.”

Burton’s presentation is titled “Long-term ecological research – the gift that keeps on giving.”

Additional details can be found on the MTRF website.

The Office of the Provost presents the MTRF with support from the Vice President for Research Office. The forum showcases and celebrates the work of Michigan Tech researchers and aims to strengthen discussions in our community. All are welcome, including the general public.

New Music in the Mine Presented by Michigan Tech Music

Published October 3, 2023

By Tanya Maki

Music

Hard hats are required — and provided — to hear this exciting new music by contemporary composers in the Quincy Mine hoist building. This annual sell-out show will contain some of the best music you haven’t heard yet! View Digital Program in advance.

Here is this year’s lineup:

THURSDAY
Pat Booth, saxophone
conScience: Michigan Tech Chamber Singers
Adam Hall, cello
Adam Meckler, trumpet
Stephen Rush, piano

FRIDAY
conScience: Michigan Tech Chamber Singers
Susie Byykkonen, flute
Michael Christianson, tuba
Adam Hall, cello
Stephen Rush, piano

About

Michigan Tech Music has a long history of high-quality music ensembles open to students from all majors on campus. Its composition program, bands, orchestra, jazz, and choral ensembles expose students, faculty, and the community to the artistic and communicative values of music and the power it has to change lives. Each group performs regularly in the Rozsa Center for the Performing Arts and in venues in the community.

Living composers, unusual instruments, and unique spaces are all at the forefront of the bold, delightful, and innovative experiences the Keweenaw has come to expect from New Music at Michigan Tech. Led by Dr. Libby Meyer, New Music invites you to experience concerts, workshops, speaking events, and masterclasses by some of the greatest living composers and classical musicians.

Libby Meyer is a composer whose work reflects the natural rhythms and patterns of the world around her. Her music, including chamber, orchestral, choral, wind symphony, film, dance and theater, has been commissioned and performed throughout the United States. An avid equestrian, kayaker and distance runner, Libby currently resides in Michigan’s beautiful Keweenaw Peninsula with her husband Evan, a Pyrenees Mountain dog, a secretive cat, and thousands of honeybees. She holds a DMA in Composition from Northwestern University and is a Teaching Professor in Music Theory/Composition at Michigan Tech University. Listen to recordings of Libby’s work.

Pay As You’re Able Ticketing

The Visual and Performing Arts Department believes that the foundation of an equitable and inclusive arts culture requires making events financially accessible to all. So, we are offering Pay as You’re Able ticketing for all of our Michigan Tech Music and Michigan Tech Theatre events. Learn more.

Accessibility

Accessible Parking
There are accessible parking spaces in the Quincy Mine parking lot.

Accessible Entry
The 1984 Hoist House is accessible by an ADA-compliant ramp, and a lift is available to access the 1918 Hoist House, where the performances will take place.

Print and Digital Programs

Digital Program
The full program will be available online at least one day in advance for all devices and is compatible with most screen readers.

Limited Print Program
Print programs containing limited show information will be available at the door.

Large-Print Program
A large-print version of the limited print program is available in advance online. A limited quantity is printed and available at the door.

Additional Information

Box Office Information
Accessibility Services
Parking Information
View All Upcoming Events
Volunteer at the Rozsa
Donate to support events like this

Listen to IPEC’s New Podcast Episode Featuring Libby Meyer

Published October 3, 2023

By Tanya Maki

Music

by Kendall Belopavlovich, Institute for Policy, Ethics, and Culture

In October’s episode of “IPEC Presents,” our guest and Institute for Policy, Ethics, and Culture (IPEC) executive committee member Libby Meyer (VPA) discusses her work as a composer, her guilty pleasure musical choices, and what it means to co-create with the world around us.

Meyer is a dynamic, insightful and well-rounded artist whose perspective on the world inspires us to deepen our relationships — and to liberate our idea of stealing to create.

Now streaming on Spotify and Apple Podcasts. Listen now.

Layered in Between: Prints by Erin Hoffman Presented by Michigan Tech Art

Published September 28, 2023

By Tanya Maki

Art

Erin Hoffman is an artist and printmaker from Muskegon, Michigan, who deals primarily with political and social concerns. Through the presentation of mismatched ideas and assemblages, her art serves as a prompt for critical thought and new conclusions.

CONTENT GUIDANCE | war
PRESENTER | Michigan Tech Art
VENUE | Rozsa Galleries A-Space
EXHIBIT OPEN | September 15 – November 4
HOURS | M-F 8 A.M.-8 P.M. AND SA 1-8 P.M.

ARTIST STATEMENT

I feel that one experiences and draws conclusions about the world through the assembly of mismatched ideas and sensorial memories. Sometimes the associations of these ideas are seemingly random and other times there are lines that can be drawn between them that may lead to overarching truths or conclusions. I hope my work will lead viewers to new conclusions.

My work uses printed and hand drawn/painted imagery taken from historical references to reflect on current social and political issues.

About

Erin Hoffman has been involved in the art community since early childhood. She was first published at age six in a local Fort Wayne, Indiana newspaper, “The Sentinel” for her visual interpretation of “A Sunny Day.” She is currently a full-time tenured art instructor at Muskegon Community College in Muskegon, Michigan teaching Printmaking, Art Appreciation, Drawing, Painting, Figure Drawing, Contemporary Art History and 2-d design.

She received her Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in 2001 from the University of Northern Iowa in Cedar Falls, Iowa and received her Master of Fine Arts degree in 2005 at the University of Georgia in Athens, Georgia. Both degrees are in printmaking.

Erin completed work at two artist residencies in 2018, the first being the Skopelos Foundation of the Arts in Skopelos, Greece and the second at Centrum in Port Townsend, Washington. She has exhibited work in group and solo exhibitions all over the US.

Her work mixes relief printmaking techniques with intaglio, lithography and hand-painted material. It uses historical and politically themed imagery to examine aspects of contemporary American society.

Interdisciplinary collaborations. Gallery exhibits. Community projects. There are many ways to experience Michigan Tech Art. Michigan Tech Art is part of the Michigan Tech Visual and Performing Arts Department.

The Rozsa Galleries offer dynamic exhibits that showcase engaging work — from local to international artists. We strive to offer diverse programming that supports our students and our community. Our professional A-Space hosts two curated exhibits each year. A-Space strives for diverse, engaging, and thoughtful programming that supports contemporary artists and deepens our student’s learning. Local, regional, national, and international artists exhibit here. A-Space shares a wall with Gallery B, our student gallery classroom. This offers special opportunities for our students to observe and participate in the galleries year-round.

Vienna-Prague-Dresden | Led by Lisa Gordillo, Mary Cyr, and Kent Cyr

Published May 30, 2023

By Steve Mintz

Temple of Tyn Prague — Temple of Tyn at Old Town Square in Prague (Courtesy of: Denis Poltoradnev-Unsplash)

Imagination. Creativity. Local and world histories. Art. Theatre. Music. Design. Michigan Tech’s first arts-focused study abroad is an immersive experience. Students from many campus majors are taking part: from Theatre and Sound Design, Humanities, and Chemistry, to Biomedical and Environmental Engineering. The trip focuses on art, theatre, architecture, and culture, with a special emphasis on the Prague Quadrennial, one of the largest theatre design events in the world. Students explore world heritage sites, study works of art in museums and galleries, attend performances, and reflect on local/global history, culture, and connection. The trip is open to all majors and is designed for students whose interests benefit from creativity and new perspectives – in other words, everyone. Follow us on the trip blog and on Instagram.

St. Vitus Cathedral rises above the Vitava River in Prague (Courtesy of: William Zhang-Unsplash)

Prague Astronomical Clock (Courtesy of: Jack Hunter-Unsplash)

SPEAK Resilience Receives Curriculum Innovation Award

Published May 10, 2023

By Tanya Maki

Awards

SPEAK Resilience (Sustainability, Psychology, Ecology, Arts, Kultur) received a Spring 2023 award for Curriculum Innovation from the Tech Forward Initiative on Sustainability and Resilience (ISR). Co-PI’s include our very own Lisa Gordillo, Associate Chair and Associate Professor, Visual and Performing Arts, along with Tara Bal (CFRES), and Sam Smith (CLS).

SPEAK Resilience will be an interdisciplinary sustainability program for Michigan Tech students to study in Björkö-Arholma, Sweden. The program will include a collection of four courses: one each in psychology, ecology, and the arts; and one interdisciplinary course team-taught by the faculty co-PIs. The co-PIs will develop a program that draws on each of their specialties to create immersive, interdisciplinary curricula. Learn more about SPEAK Resilience.

Category: Awards

Published May 10, 2023

By Tanya Maki

Awards

Visual and Performing Arts Student Awards

The Department of Visual and Performing Arts has announced its student award and scholarship recipients. Each year, a nomination and selection process is conducted by VPA faculty and staff with input from department students to identify outstanding student achievement. Below is a list of recognized students.

Student of Promise: Rowan Parsons

Rowan Parsons is a third-year Sound Design major. Rowan is interested in broadcast media, and has been the Head of Productions at WMTU Houghton 91.9 FM for the past two years and will be shifting to Head of Events this coming year. They work with Michigan Tech IT and Athletics on the live broadcast of sporting events. They were the Front of House Mixing Engineer for Michigan Tech’s recent production of the musical Chess. They love spending time with their friends in the department, hanging out with their cat, and playing video games.

All Arts: Izzy Waldie

Izzy Waldie is a fourth year student majoring in Audio Production and Technology with a Minor in Computer Science. Izzy is the president of the student organization Above the Bridge Records, a student recording label, and Vice President of SoundGirls. Izzy has worked on many theatre shows as both a sound designer and sound system designer. She blends her creative and technical skills working for IT as a media tech specialist and an AV engineer for MTU Athletics. She is also a sound designer and film editor for Tech’s CinOptic Enterprise, and is currently working on promotional videos for Isle Royale National Park. Izzy also plays in multiple bands, including being the drummer for JAZTEC, MTU’s premier jazz combo. Last summer, Izzy secured a prestigious internship at Shure in Chicago, one of the biggest audio companies in the world, and she will be returning for another internship there this summer. As an avid hiker and outdoor enthusiast, she is very excited to return to Houghton for her final semester in the fall.

Arts: Bobbie Desgrange

Bobbie is a soon to be graduate from Lansing, Michigan. They will be getting their BS in Theater and Entertainment Technology with an Art minor. During their time here they have worked as a Scenic Artist in 5 VPA productions, and with two of their peers put on the first independent student gallery in the Rozsa titled Me, You, & Us. Along with that, they recently collaborated with Lisa Gordillo this past year to design an installation piece in the Minerals and Materials building.

Sound: Mason Waldrip

Mason Waldrip is a graduating senior in the Audio Production and Technology major. He
came to Michigan Tech in 2018 as a Computer Science major but quickly fell in love with
audio production when he took an elective course in the department. Since then, Mason
has been involved in the department most notably through working at the Rozsa,
working on several theatre productions, becoming the president of the Audio
Engineering Society at Michigan Tech, and designing and building multiple studios.
Mason also formed his band Bouquet with his friends and has been gigging, writing, and
recording for just over a year. Along with the band, Mason will be releasing an EP during
the summer. He has a passion for music, video games, live-streaming, programming,
photography, and snowboarding.

Music: Aidan Conrade

Aidan Conrade is a third year Sound Design student with a minor in Music Composition. They enjoy putting their knowledge of sound design together with their music to create unique and creative pieces for all types of projects. On top of this, they also play bass guitar and upright bass in a variety of groups at Michigan Tech, including the Playtesters, MTU’s video game jazz ensemble, which is a student-lead group that specializes in arranging their favorite video game tunes into various styles of jazz and adjacent genres to grow as musicians! When they are not working on a project or writing/listening to music, they are exploring the outdoors or discovering the latest indie games. Their goal after university is to join the video game and/or film industries as a sound designer and composer, where they will work to curate immersive and expressive experiences for others to enjoy!

Theatre: Maisie Whitaker
Department Scholar: Maisie Whitaker

Maisie Whitaker is a 4th year student studying Theater and Entertainment with emphasis in Mechanical and Craft alongside an Art Minor. She works as both gallery assistant and scene shop assistant. She also is a Peer Mentor to incoming students as they start their way into college. Maisie has a great love for all things theater and art of course but also finds joy in animals, nature, crafting, and reading. She is looking forward to participating in the VPA faculty led study abroad trip to the Prague Quadrennial. She was one of three artists featured in first student professional art show ‘Me, You, and Us’ down in the A-Space Rozsa Gallery. Maisie credits her success within the VPA department to her professors who have encouraged her growth as a student. She also recognizes her friends and peers who make every production or event that much easier to be apart of.

Milton Olsson Music Award: Alex Hudson

Alex is a Computer Engineering student from Alto, Michigan, near Lowell. He started playing violin when he was 11 and has since enjoyed performing in a wide variety of ensembles—including the Lowell Fusion Rock Orchestra, Grand Rapids Youth Symphony, multiple pit orchestras, and MTU’s own Video Game Jazz Ensemble. Alex is also an aspiring composer and is currently working towards a minor in music composition. Whether creating it or playing it, he finds music to be one of the best ways to express himself and de-stress after rough days.

Marian and John Irish Award for Environmental Art: August Camp

August Camp is a graduating senior in applied ecology and environmental science, and was a student last fall in Art & Nature. August considered deep questions of seeming binaries, such as beauty and horror, or natural vs. artificial. He was interested in the possibility that plastic can be both beautiful and an embodiment of the climate catastrophe we’re experiencing. And wanted to explore the way anthropogenic actions mimic natural disturbances across the landscape. They thought hard about how to position viewer-participants to consider the complexity of our climate crisis, including our individual, conflicted lifestyles.

Don Keranen Jazz Awards

Published April 19, 2023

By Tanya Maki

Director of Jazz Studies, Adam Meckler, has announced this year’s student recipients for the Don Keranen Endowed Scholarship Awards.

Each year, excellence in Jazz is recognized by way of the Don Keranen Memorial Jazz Scholarship. Three students are chosen by their peers in recognition of improvement, excellence, and leadership. Our award winners this year include R&D Bass Player Jay Jamison-Sawicki, Workshop Brass Band Harrison Harland, and Lab Band Lead Tenor Saxophonist Liam Cacioppo.

These students all showed leadership, dedication, excellence, and improvement this year. I am grateful for them, and wish them continued success in the coming years.
Director of Jazz Studies, Adam Meckler

Michael “Jay” Jamison-Sawicki is a First-Year majoring in a Bachelor’s in Power Distribution Engineering at Michigan Tech. He discovered his love of Jazz, however, his Senior year of High School where he was recruited by the Jazz/Honors Band at Summit Academy North. Ever since his time there, he’s played bass in the Research and Development Big Band at MTU, picking up multiple skills and learning valuable musical lessons that continue to further bolster his musicianship.

Harrison Harland is a second year at Michigan Tech, and a double major in Accounting and MIS. Harrison started playing bass guitar 3 years ago and the MTU jazz program has been an excellent first experience in both jazz music and performing live music! To Harrison, playing music is all about sharing cool ideas and spreading good vibes the whole way!

Liam Cacioppo is a saxophonist that has been playing for 12 years. He is from Ingleside, Illinois but frequent trips to the Upper Peninsula made him become familiar with Tech and its extreme winters. While being an engineer takes up most of his time, he always tries to find some time to continue playing jazz. Alongside playing jazz you could find him skiing, taking a walk around, or wearing a sweater.

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