Michael Kropf is a Michigan-based composer whose work deals with hidden emotions and evocative places. He has collaborated with Marin Alsop, the Telegraph Quartet, the San Francisco Conservatory Orchestra, and the Aspen Contemporary Ensemble. Michael completed his Masters degree in Composition at the San Francisco Conservatory of Music in 2016, where he won First Prize in the Highsmith Orchestral Composition Competition. Born in Danbury, Connecticut, Michael received his Bachelor of Music degree from New York University. His teachers and mentors have included David Conte, John Adams, Justin Dello Joio, Luboš Mrkvička, and Youngmi Ha. He is currently pursuing a Doctoral degree in composition at the University of Michigan.

Learn more about Michael Kropf and listen to his work here: http://www.michaelkropfmusic.com

Listen to Michael discuss his musical influences, favorite instrumentation, and the remote recording and production of his 2020 piece "Distant Sea" with Del on Episode Twelve of Open Parameter | Podcast.

Vanguard Reed Quintet is a reed quintet based in Ann Arbor, Michigan that is committed to breaking new musical ground, increasing the depth and diversity of the reed quintet’s core repertoire, and engaging audiences with innovative, adventurous, and inspiring musical experiences. 

In 2020, Vanguard released its debut album, Red Leaf Collection, featuring world premiere recordings of six works commissioned by the ensemble.  Vanguard’s members are Sagar Anupindi (oboe), Mickayla Chapman (clarinet), Sean Meyers (saxophone), Nico Chona (bass clarinet), and Jaquain Sloan (bassoon). 

Learn more about Vanguard Reed Quintet here: https://www.vanguardrq.com

Listen to Mickayla and Sagar discuss the reed quintet genre, the process for planning and recording Red Leaf Collection, and Vanguard's upcoming plans with Abby and Del on Episode Eleven of Open Parameter | Podcast. 

Haley Nelson is a playwright and dramaturg based in Dallas, Texas. A graduate from Southern Methodist University with a BFA in Theatre, Nelson is a 2019-2021 NNPN Producer-in-Residence with Kitchen Dog Theater. She is also currently involved in Cry Havoc Theater Company’s 2020-2021 season. Her other accolades include time as Mark Bly’s assistant at the Kennedy Center MFA Playwrights Workshop, a Production Assistant at the Pittsburgh CLO’s New Musical Weekend, an intern at the Ko Festival, and as the Fall Literary Fellow at Geva Theatre Center. 

Learn more about Haley Nelson and her "innovative work with words" here: https://www.haleynelson.me

Listen to Haley discuss her variety of work, upcoming projects, and what it means to be a dramaturg with Del on Episode Ten of Open Parameter | Podcast.

HEWMAN is a collaborative dance collective that reimagines the traditional model of a dance company by engaging individual artists to collaborate as equals in the creative process. Cofounded by Jason Collins, James Lindsay Harwell, and Ingrid Kapteyn, HEWMAN explores the essential nature of the audience in their work. They have self-produced three evening-length installations in unconventional venues across New York City and are now exploring the translation of their work from open immersive settings to the stage.

Learn more about Hewman Collective here: http://www.hewmancollective.com

Listen to Ingrid and Lindsay discuss the inception of HEWMAN, their goals as a collective, and audience involvement in their performances with Del on Episode Nine of Open Parameter | Podcast. 

Allison Simpkins (SMU '20, Peabody '22), Nicolas Farmer (SMU '20, MSM '22), and Reed Mullican (SMU '20, TCU '22) each transitioned from earning an undergraduate degree in music to embarking on a graduate program during the height of the pandemic. Join us as we explore this topic together and discuss the challenges presented by virtual music graduate school.

Learn about Allison and her piano performance / composition work here: Allison Simpkins Learn about Nicolas and his horn performance / composition work here: Nicolas Farmer Music Learn about Reed and his vocal performance / conducting / composition work here: About

Listen to Allison, Nicolas, and Reed discuss their backgrounds and experiences in graduate school thus far with Del and Abby on Episode Eight of Open Parameter | Podcast.

Angelica Reisch is an NYC-based artist focused in video and installation work as well as art publishing and cultural organizing. Reisch co-founded the artist collective DADE and from 2016-2019, printed and published two full publications entitled “Holding Pattern." In 2018, Resich earned her BFA in Studio Art from the Meadows School of the Arts in Dallas, TX and currently works as a graphic designer in New York City.

Learn more about Angie and her work here: https://www.angelicareisch.com/

Listen to Angie discuss her career as an artist, publications with DADE, and graphic design work with Del and Stejara on Episode Seven of Open Parameter | Podcast.

Reagan Brumley is the Director of Performing Arts for Irving ISD. In this position, he supervises the district’s band, choir, dance, orchestra, and theater programs, where he oversees student instruction, curriculum development and implementation, and also provides professional development for the performing arts faculty.  During the COVID-19 pandemic, Reagan founded the Dallas Chamber Wind Ensemble, a group “comprised of professional players and teachers in the DFW area” that is “dedicated to performing the best in original [chamber] literature for winds."

Learn more about Reagan and his work with the Dallas Chamber Wind Ensemble here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/720153392254358 (And stay tuned for an upcoming performance with the DCWE, streamed live on YouTube and Facebook!)

Listen to Reagan discuss the formation of the DCWE and the impacts of the pandemic on music education with Del and Abby on Episode Six of Open Parameter | Podcast.

#openparameter #openparameterpodcast #chambermusic #musiceducation #DCWE #Dallas #IrvingISD #fineartseducation

Phillip Fischer is a graphic designer based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. He has worked in package design for companies such as Kimberly Clark, Pepsi, and Milwaukee Tool, and currently serves at the Lead Designer at Core Creative, a Milwaukee-based advertising and branding agency. Fischer has also expanded his graphic design work into 3D art, and uses the computer as an integral tool for his work in the visual arts.

Learn more about Phillip and his work with Core Creative here: https://www.corecreative.com/about/people/philfischer/

Listen to Phillip discuss his graphic design work, 3D art, and teaching with Del and Stejara on Episode Five of Open Parameter | Podcast.