The University of Michigan School of Music, Theatre & Dance announces that Professor Zeynep Özcan will join the faculty as assistant professor in the Department of Performing Arts Technology in fall 2023. Özcan, who has served as a lecturer in the department since 2020, is an internationally established electronic music composer, educator, and author. Her works have been performed and presented throughout the world at leading venues such as the International Computer Music Conference and Audio Engineering Society.
“As I take on this new role as a member of the SMTD community, I look forward to contributing to the innovative work of our department at the intersection of art and technology, forming new collaborations within and outside our unit, and furthering our deep commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion,” Özcan shared.
Özcan’s work explores biologically inspired musical creativity, interactive and immersive environments, and generative systems. She specializes in the implementation of software systems for audiovisual art and sonification, and hardware systems for musical expression and large-scale interactive installations. She was selected as one of the first certified trainers for the industry-standard audio programming platform Max, and collaborated with the developers of the platform on new features.
Further, Özcan is passionate about community building and creating multicultural and collaborative learning experiences for students through technology-driven creativity. She has led numerous equity-focused educational programs and workshops that aim to amplify underrepresented voices in music technology around the world.
“The Department of Performing Arts Technology is honored to welcome Dr. Zeynep Özcan to our faculty. In her teaching and in her creative practice, Zeynep centers the work of women as composers, performers, DJs, and sound designers,” noted Sile O’Modhrain, chair and associate professor of the Department of Performing Arts Technology. “Zeynep is currently directing the Girls in Music and Technology summer program and has inspired many of its participants to apply to the PAT program. We are very much looking forward to having her join us in the fall.”
Özcan received her PhD in music from Istanbul Technical University, and her MA in history of architecture and BA in philosophy from Middle East Technical University.