My musicological work addresses the musical institutions and listening practices of nineteenth- and twentieth-century Europe and North America from the combined perspectives of musicology and nostalgia studies, with a particular attention to French music, media and technologies, and film music. I have published on these topics in English and French and have presented at international conferences in America and Europe.
In my dissertation, "Sounding Nostalgia in Post-World War I Paris," I explored the ways nostalgia was experienced and cultivated collectively in a variety of sonic and musical activities in the Parisian public sphere in the aftermath of World War I, and how these activities intersected with civic life, politics, urbanism, and nationalism.
I am also interested in the technical and cultural impacts of the cross-fertilization of musical genres and art forms, and in the technological mediation of nostalgic experiences.
Follow the links below to read samples of my musicological work. You can also find my complete curriculum vitae at my Academia.edu profile.
I am currently a Part-Time Professor at the University of Ottawa (Canada), where I teach musicology and music theory, in both English and French. Previously, I taught and designed courses at the University of Pennsylvania (USA). Courses taught:
MUS1301: Canadian Instrumental Music (Topics in Music Appreciation)
MUS1703: Éléments de musique I
MUS2331: Forms and Styles I: Middle Ages and Renaissance
MUS2332: Forms and Styles II: Baroque and Early Classical
MUS3705: Introduction à l'écomusicologie (Musique et pensée critique)
MUS3733: Formes et styles III : Fin du classicisme et début du romantisme
MUS3734: Formes et styles IV : Fin du romantisme et début de l'époque moderne
MUS3735: La musique du XXe siècle
MUS4301: John Williams: His Music and His Legacy (Seminar 1)
MUS4928: Advanced Research in Music: Tools and Methods (bilingual course)
MUS6370: French Modernism Between Past and Future (Topics in Musicology)
[UPenn] MUSC030: A Thousand Years of Musical Listening
[UPenn] MUSC049: Listening to Nostalgia from the Phonograph to YouTube
Teaching is the bridge between my work as a musicologist and my passion for sharing knowledge. My priorities as a professor are to make music relevant to students from different backgrounds and of diverse musical interests, and to cultivate their excitement even when the topics of some classes might be far from their own experience as listeners. Therefore, the final goal in my courses is not for my students to memorize facts, but primarily to develop the skills needed to think critically about musical cultures, and to engage at a deeper level with their sonic environment beyond what is discussed in the classroom. I want my students to be more attentive to the ways they—and their environment—are affected by music on a daily basis. I believe that the best way to achieve this goal is by fostering participatory learning and by creating a space where students feel safe and welcomed to share ideas. Teaching Interests:
Western art music, with special attention to French music
nostalgia studies
film music
opera and American musical theatre
global perspectives on modernism
music technology & media studies
cultural politics
Musical Contributions
I am a pianist, chorister, and former saxophonist trained in the classical repertoire and jazz. I enjoy collaborative musical experiences more than anything else, regardless of the style, genre, or size of the ensembles.
As a pianist, I have participated in several music competitions, including the Canadian Music Competition (provincial finalist, 2009). I have performed in ensembles (as a professional and as an amateur) in genres ranging from the Baroque cantata (as harpsichordist) to musical theatre and opera (as répétiteur and pit musician), in addition to accompanying instrumental recitals in music from all periods. Some of my performances can be heard on SoundCloud.
As a chorister, my previous engagements have included the Orchestre Métropolitain (under Yannick Nézet-Séguin) and the Choir of the Church of St. Andrew and St. Paul (under Jordan de Souza).
Finally, as a saxophonist trained in jazz, I founded a (now-defunct) jazz quartet for which I realized the arrangements.
Various Projects
The John Williams Piano Collection
The John Williams Piano Collection presents a complete listing of music by composer John Williams published in piano and piano-vocal arrangements. Over the course of his career, around 300 different pieces by Williams have been arranged for piano. Intended for collectors and researchers, this website gives a full and detailed inventory of these publications. It also includes a bibliography of scholarly articles about the music of John Williams. Visit The John Williams Piano Collection!
Compositions and Music Editing
I have composed over 70 piano, instrumental, and vocal pieces, some of which are available for purchase on SheetMusicPlus.com. For more information, click on each sample page to access the online store.