Dr. cory ryan kasprzyk (he/him) is a musician who writes, performs, and promotes work engaged in sustainability, nonintention, and veganism. His compositions—praised as “timbrally striking” (HurdAudio) and “full of wind, height, and velocity” (Baltimore City Paper)—extensively explore field recording and are grounded in found composition: relinquishing most musical decisions to observed environments. Using saxophone, dry ice, and electronics, he has performed in diverse settings—from the New World Symphony Orchestra to experimental improvisers with the High Zero Foundation. Additionally, he has managed music programs for underserved populations providing outreach, educational, and charitable support.
His work has garnered performance credits including Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center, Steinway Hall, the Experimental Media and Performing Arts Center, and others throughout North and South America, Europe, Asia, and Australia. He has also presented at festivals including BEAST FEaST, CEMIcircles, Electroacoustic Barn Dance, Electronic Music Midwest, ICMC, PASIC, SEAMUS, SCI Region/National Conferences, Symposium on Acoustic Ecology, Third Practice, and others. Alongside a TEDx talk and other speaking engagements, his publications and recordings can be found on Computer Music Journal (MIT Press), Field Notes (Gruenrekorder), Green Field Recordings, New Focus Recordings, and SEAMUS. Commissions and performances have led to collaboration with Alarm Will Sound, Kevin Toksöz Fairbairn, Dana Jessen, Kylwyria, Conor Nelson, Andrew Pelletier, among others.
He has participated in informal study and masterclasses with Alvin Lucier, Tristan Murail, Kaija Saariaho, Barry Truax, Hans Tutschku, and Trevor Wishart. A graduate of Grand Valley State University, he holds two master’s degrees from the Peabody Conservatory, as well as a doctorate from Bowling Green State University, where his research focused on sound, equality, and environment. In addition to teaching a diverse array of students ages 7 to 70 for over two decades, he has also served on the faculties of Bluefield College, CalState–Monterey Bay, LIU–Brooklyn, Mansfield University, Morgan State University, Queensborough Community College, and Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. He is now faculty at the Manhattan School of Music’s Precollege and a full-time Lecturer at York College (CUNY).
curriculum vitæ [upon request] | blog [inactive] | #fromdebk
contact: coryryancomposer [at] gmail.com