Prior Research + Creative Activity
Prior Research & Creative Activity
Faculty and students in Cliffe College know that research and creative activity is about discovery. We invite you to explore the history of our faculty’s past endeavors, which showcases a diverse landscape of incredible accomplishments. At the heart of this focus are the distinctive contributions of a diverse range of renowned experts, working in new and innovative ways to amplify impact in their fields, communities, and regions.
National Association for Music Education National Conference Presentations
Associate professor of music education Daniel Keown gave two presentations at the National Association for Music Education National Biennial Music Research and Teacher Education Conference in Maryland November 2 – 6, 2022. His presentations were titled “Discovering the Lost Ark of Possibilities: Bringing Visibility to the Invisible Art Form of Film Music in Your Music Classroom” and “Influence of Workshop Training on Preservice Music Educators’ Self-Reported Abilities and Level of Support for Using DAW Technology to Teach Music Concepts.”
“Wind” CD release
Professor of music Caroline Oltmanns released her new piano CD “Wind” November 1, 2022. Created around the subject of wind, the album features work from Claude Debussy’s “Voiles” and “Bruyeres,” along with Franz Liszt’s “Erlkönig” and “Orage.”
Guest conductor: “Requiem” and “Giving Voice to Peace”
Associate professor of music Hae-Jong Lee was the guest conductor of the New England Symphonic Ensemble at Carnegie Hall May 28, 2022. Under guidance from MidAmerican Productions Inc., Lee conducted John Rutter’s “Requiem” along with directing a choral concert titled “Giving Voice to Peace.”
Art in Embassies program
Professor of art Dragana Crnjak’s painting “No Luck Unlocking” was selected by the U.S. Ambassador to Serbia Christopher Hill to be on display at the Serbian Embassy in Belgrade until 2025. The painting is Crnjak’s second to be selected for the Art in Embassies program. She previously had a painting displayed at the U.S. Embassy in Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina for four years.
"Shh. . ."
A painting completed by professor of art Dragana Crnjak titled “Shh . . .” was recently included in the WOMEN PAINT catalog. Produced by the Page Bond Gallery in Richmond, Virginia, the online catalogue is a survey of 24 artists. A portion of sales go to the UNICEF Children in Crossfire of Ukraine Crisis fund.
“Fostering Inclusivity”
Associate professor of theatre Katherine Garlick was selected to present her research, “Fostering Inclusivity in Academic Costume Spaces,” during a juried poster session at the National Conference of the U.S. Institute for Theatre Technology held March 2 – 5, 2022 in Baltimore, Maryland.
Performance at Conservatory of Boulogne-Billancourt
Professor of music James Umble was invited to perform at the Conservatory of Boulogne-Billancourt in France as part of the 90th birthday party for French saxophonist and teacher Jean-Marie Londeix. Umble studied with Londeix at the National Conservatory of Bordeaux, France, and in 2000, authored the biography, “Jean-Marie Londiex, Master of the Modern Saxophone.”
2021 Mid America Print Council Conference
Professor of art Joseph D'Uva was recently selected to participate in the Call to Action Print Portfolio Exchange at the 2021 Mid America Print Council Conference through Kent State University. D’Uva and YSU alumna Ashley Vaughn will create an edition of prints that will be exhibited at the conference.
ALC VideoArt Festival
Professor of art Dana Sperry had two video works screened at the ALC VideoArt Festival at the Museo de Arte Contemporáneo de Alicante in Spain.
ArsDocta International Music Festival
Professor of music Misook Yun presented a virtual masterclass and lecture at the ArsDocta International Music Festival held August 2 – 8, 2021 as one of just 17 faculty in attendance. In addition, she was a featured soloist in performances of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart’s “Alleluja” and Leonard Bernstein’s “Glitter and Be Gay” with the Butler County Symphony Orchestra.
“Vezovi” art exhibit
Professor of art Dragana Crnjak’s exhibit “Vezovi” was installed at The Cultural Center of Trebinje in Trebinje, Bosnia July 18, 2021. The artwork was a contemporary site-specific wall drawing inspired by Zminjanje embroidery.
"Playing the Unplayable"
Professor of music Caroline Oltmanns published “Playing the Unplayable,” an ebook that tackles reviving old musical pieces, how to find the perfect repertoire, and how to select the best stage attire.
“Peripheries”
Professor of art Dragana Crnjak created an exhibit titled “Peripheries” that will be open to the public April 2 – 30, 2021 at the Page Bond Gallery in Richmond, Virginia.
2020-21 Cuyahoga Community College Concert Series
Professor of music Caroline Oltmanns presented a livestream concert Sunday, March 21, 2021, as part of the 2020-21 Cuyahoga Community College Concert Series, performing works by Claude Debussy, Raymond Wilding-White, Friedrich Gulda, and Ludwig van Beethoven. The same day, she also performed at the BOP STOP in Cleveland as part of the Cleveland Composers Guild.
International Conference for Saxophone Performance and Pedagogy
Professor of saxophone James Umble performed a contemporary work for solo saxophone by composer and theorist Andrew Mead at the 2021 International Conference for Saxophone Performance and Pedagogy, hosted by the University of Florida. Mead wrote and dedicated the work to Umble, who has been performing Mead’s work extensively in recent years.
NAfME Music Research and Teacher Education Conference
Associate professor of music Daniel Keown had two research studies selected by a peer-reviewed panel for presentation at the 2021 National Association for Music Education’s Music Research and Teacher Education Conference. One study, titled “Examination of Identified Frequency and Location of Music Characteristics within Motion Picture Soundtracks,” was supported by a grant through the YSU Office of Assessment.
Illinois Wesleyan University Jazz Festival
Professor of music Kent Engelhardt will present “Learning and Practicing the Basics of Jazz Harmony” at the 46th annual Illinois Wesleyan University Jazz Festival. Created for students of middle school age and all teachers, the materials and processes he will present can be used in self-teaching, private and group lessons, and jazz ensemble or concert band rehearsals.
“Closer Than They Appear”
Artwork completed by McDonough Museum of Art director Claudia Berlinski was included in two recent exhibitions: the “Invitational Art Show – Excellence/Defining Space” at the Peninsula Art Academy, and “Unbound: The Altered Book” at Chico Art Center in Chico, California. She also had her piece, “Closer Than They Appear: Winter Thaw,” featured in the February issue of Apero.
Screenprinting exhibitions
Professor of art Joseph D’Uva recently exhibited his artwork in several shows, including at the Columbus Printed Arts Center, the Gathered Glass Blowing Studio, and Weber Fine Arts in Omaha, Nebraska. His artwork featured lithography, screenprinting, and flocking printmaking.
Philosophy of Music Education Review
Associate professor of music Paul Louth published a new article, “Emphasis and Suggestion versus Musical Taxidermy: Neoliberal Contradictions, Music Education and the Knowledge Economy,” in Philosophy of Music Education Review.
“The Why Here: 1877 Railroad Strike”
Professor of art Dana Sperry has created an audio walk that explores the Great Railroad Strike of 1877 called “The Why Here.” Located in Pittsburgh, the walk examines the physical and intellectual connections between the largely forgotten uprising and the technology advancements currently taking place just blocks away by big-tech companies such as Uber.
Creating inclusive programs
The McDonough Museum of Art has created three new initiatives—the Muse Series, the Emerging Artist Series, and the Scribe Literary Collaborative—in an effort to create inclusive programming and increase community engagement and outreach.
“Tango”
Professor of music Dave Morgan was recently featured on The Cleveland Orchestra’s YouTube channel for a joint performance of his song “Tango” with The Cleveland Duo, comprised of pianist Carolyn Warner and violinist Steve Warner.
“Portal”
McDonough Museum of Art director Claudia Berlinski’s collage, titled “Portal,” was selected as a winner in the fine art category of the Creative Quarterly journal. Berlinski also recently had work exhibited in the Akron Soul Train Gallery and the Niza Knoll Gallery in Denver, Colorado.
North American Saxophone Alliance Biennial Conference
Professor of music James Umble was invited to play in a recital at the 2020 North American Saxophone Alliance Biennial Conference at Arizona State University.
Wind Ensemble at OMEA
Professors of music Stephen Gage and Brandt Payne conducted a concert by the YSU Wind Ensemble at the 2020 Ohio Music Education Association’s Professional Development Conference. The performance featured assistant professor of music Andrew Mitchell on trombone.