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Mike Nord

Irene Gerlinger Swindells Professor Emeritus of Music, Music Technology, Improvisation & Jazz Studies
Specialty: Creator and director of the Willamette University Music Technology Studios

Headshot of Mike Nord

Contact Information

Address
900 State Street
Salem  Oregon  97301
U.S.A.

Biography

Mike's teaching is guided by his ongoing work as a performer and recording artist on guitar and electronics. He focuses on improvised work, with a particular interest in interdisciplinary collaboration. Current projects include the music and dance theater group Noru Ka Soru Ka, a free improvisation dance and music collaboration with Makoto Matsushima, an instrumental duo with percussionist Georg Hofmann, and Trio Untold, a jazz and free improvisation group with James Miley and Ryan Biesack. His most recent recording is Trio Untold (2018) on PJCE records.

Passionate about teaching in a range of settings, Mike has given or collaborated on workshops and clinics in the US and abroad for organizations including the Korea National University of the Arts (Seoul Korea), Jeju International Improvisational Dance Festival (Jeju, Korea), Theater Horizon (Hong Kong), Konservatorium Winterthur (Switzerland), Performing Arts Institute (Tokyo, Japan), Tokyo Sports Science University (Tokyo, Japan) Kathmandu Jazz Conservatory (Nepal), City Contemporary Dance Company (Hong Kong), Aalener Jazzfest (Germany), Escuela Nacional de Musica, Universidad Nacional Autonoma de Mexico; (Mexico City, Mexico). Jugendmusikschule Zurich, Hochschule fur Musik Zurich (Switzerland).

Recent electronic composition collaborations have included the installation piece Vortices with artist Ann Kresge, and poet Dawn Diez Willis, and The Alchemist  a score for choreography by Makoto Matsushima at the Korea National University of the Arts.

Education

  • B.A. Music (SUNY Buffalo, NY); M. M. Jazz and Commercial Studies (Manhattan School of Music, NY) ; Ed.M, Ed.D., Music and Music Education, (Columbia University, NY).

Published Recordings

  • Trio Untold (2018) with James Miley (keyboards) and Ryan Biesack (drums) Portland, Oregon: PJCE Records (PJCE 034)

  • “tree, wind, and flowers”(2015) with Georg Hofmann (percussion) and Andreas Stahel (flutes, voice). Newton Abbot, England: Leo Records (LR 747)

  • “Music of Noru Ka Soru Ka” (2013) Mike Nord, Georg Hofmann, Makoto Matsushima
    Newton Abbot, England: (Leo Records LR 680)

  • “ ….eeeasy…Live at La Fourmi” (2011). Noru Ka Soru Ka-Take the Leap. Independent release DVD. Switzerland: Dingo and Fox Productions

  • The Flow: Music for Improvised Dance” (2010) Mike Nord, Georg Hofmann
    Newton Abbot, England: Leo Records (LR 561)

  • Six Etudes (2007) Noru Ka Soru Ka.  Independent release DVD.  Salem, OR: Willamette University

  • “Biosphere” (2006) Carr Nord Hofmann Maddox. Newton Abbot, England: Leo Records (LR 456)

  • Computer World Podcast  (2006). Incidental music.

  • “In Walks Art”  (2004). Carr  Nord Hofmann with Art Maddox and Randy Kem. Newton Abbot, England: Leo Records (LR 401).

  • “Frame Drumming” Free Hand Style (2000). with Peter Fagiola. Milwaukee, WI. :Hal Leonard.

  • "Along the Edge" (1999). Carr  Nord Hofmann. Aachen ,Germany: Nabel Records.

  • "Coast to Coast". (1997). Carr Nord  Hofmann. Aachen ,Germany: Nabel Records.

  • "NYZ" (1988).  Basel, Switzerland: Pink Seven Records.

Selected Live Performance on Guitar and Electronics

Makoto Matsushima Mike Nord. Improvisational music and dance duo collaboration. Theater Horizon, (Hong Kong) 2018.  Korea National University of the Arts (Seoul, Korea 2018) Jeju International Improvisational Dance Festival, (Jeju Island, Korea, 2018)  Tours in Japan including tv broadcast (2012, 2015). Performances in US 2010, 2017. Interactive performance with art installation by Adam and Rosalyn Rothstein (juror Amanda Wojick) at Project Space Gallery, Salem, OR. Performances in Hong Kong Peoples Fringe Festival 2012.

 

Mike Nord and Georg Hofmann with Andreas Stahel.  Improvisational trio with Georg Hofmann (percussion) and Andreas Stahel (flutes, voice). Tours in Switzerland 2014, 2015. 2016, 2017 US performances 2015, 2016.  Leo Records recording artists.  Studio broadcast for CCTV, Salem, OR

 

Trio Untold (Willamette Underground Trio): improvisational electric/electronic free jazz, Quintet: original jazz compositions. With James Miley, Ryan Biesack. Tours in Nepal (2012, 2014, 2016).  Performance and recording with North Indian Classical musicians Rabin Lal Shrestha, Prabhu Raj Dhakal, Suresh Raj Bajracharya, and  Milan Tandukar, sponsored by US Embassy in Nepal and Kathmandu Jazz Conservatory. Upcoming Performance in Mexico, October 2018

 

The Meeting Place with Mon Ning Improvisational music and dance duo collaboration.  Hong Kong University. 2015

 

Noru Ka Soru Ka.  Improvisational inter-art collaboration (music and dance) with percussionist Georg Hofmann and Japanese dancers Makoto Matsushima, Mao Arata, and others (performances in Japan, 2006, 2012; the US, 2007, 2009: 2011, 2013; Switzerland 2011, 2012, 2013; China, 2013.  Festival appearances include OGGImusica, Shenjzhen Fringe Festival) Collaborations with visual Artist Ann Kresge, Recordings for Leo Records (CD), Dingo and Fox Productions (DVD). 

 

Lawson Inada/Mike Nord (2006, 2015)  Improvisational inter-art collaboration with Oregon State Poet Laureate.  Loucks Auditorium, Salem, OR; Willamette University, Salem, OR 

 

Ride On (2014) Improvisational inter-art collaboration with Tokyo-based dancers Mao Arata, Baba Roa, and Asuka Kanemori.  Additional music performance with Miho Igi and Kuri (Japan) and Thambunesia (Indonesia) AsiaTri Jogja Festival, Yogyakarta, Indonesia.

 

3 Montag Series (2012) Invited guest for improvisational music and dance collaboration series.  With Andrea Boll, Hideto Heshiki, Mao Arata (dance) and Andreas Staehel (voice, flute).   TanzHaus Theate  Zurich, Switzerland

         

100 y 200 Años de Kitsch en Mexico (2010) Improvisational inter-art performance work at Cabaret Voltaire, the “birthplace” of Dadaism in Zurich, Switzerland.  International cast with visual projectionist Doris Steinbichler (Austria), actor Nestor Falls (Cuba) dancer Tonatiuh Ruiz (Mexico), dancer/actress Mercé de Rande ( Spain), percussionist Georg Hofmann  (Switzerland)

 

The Flow (2010) Improvisational inter-art collaboration with percussionist Georg Hofmann and dancers Hideto Hishiki and Merce deRande (performances in Switzerland)

 

Noh Sound Silence (2009). Improvisational work inspired by the Noh drama Futari Shizuka. With Mark Powers (percussion) and visiting Japanese artists Kumi Nakajima (violin), Miki Sugiura (voice). Willamette University, Salem OR

 

Footprints (2008) Improvisational Inter-art collaboration (music and dance) with percussionist Georg Hofmann and dancers Nurya Egger and Hideto Heshiki (performances in Basel, Zurich, and Winterthur, Switzerland) Recording for Leo Records

       

Carr Nord Hofmann Maddox (2003-2010) as  Carr  Nord Hofmann  (1995-2003 Nabel Records artists).  Original Jazz Compositions.  Recordings, broadcasts,  educational outreach, Numerous tours including Japan, Switzerland, Germany, U.S, Mexico.  Festival Appearances: Aalen [Germany]  Jazz Festival; Festival Internacional Cervantino [Mexico] 1; Music on the Mountain [US]; Koetzting Kultursommer [Germany. Radio and television concert broadcasts (US, Mexico).  Collaborations with other musicians including, Christoph Baumann, Robert Dick, Hans Koch, Steve Gorn, Randy Kem. Recordings for Nabel Records, Leo Records

 

Why. (2006). Composer/performer.  Original work for flute, piano, electric guitar, and sampled voices.   New Music at Willamette concert. Willamette University, Salem OR

 

Crossing Borders  (2004). Composer/performer. Intermedia tour in Mexico (2004) with video/print artist Ann Kresge and musicians Remi Alvarez and Georg Hofmann.  Participation in Sin Compás improvised music festival.  (see also  Recorded Compositions in Multimedia Installations)

 

“From Raga to Downtown” (2003).  Improvisational music recital with Steve Gorn (bansuri flute) and Benjy Wertheimer (tablas).  Willamette University, Salem OR

Recorded Compositions in Multimedia and Interdisciplinary Settings

            Functions: The Alchemist (2018) MIDI sequenced score for dance.  Commissioned by Makoto Matsushima for performances at the Korea National University of the Arts.  Seoul, Korea

 

            Vortices (2015) electronic soundscape for Inter-art collaboration with visual   artist Ann Kresge and poet Dawn Diez Willis. Andrew Myers, juror.  Project Space Gallery.  Salem ,OR.

 

            Landscapes (2014).  Text-based electronic soundscape for Inter-art collaboration with visual artist Ann Kresge.  Project Space Gallery.  Salem ,OR.

 

            Fury (2010).MIDI sequenced score for dance.  Commissioned by Matthew Nelson.   Performances at People Dance, Willamette University, Salem OR (2011) and at the American College Dance festival NW Regional Conference (2011)

 

           Healing Forest (2009). Gallery Installation (juried) , Created electronic soundscape for inter- media  collaboration with visual artist Ann Kresge.  Royal Nebeker, Juror.  Project Space II Gallery. Salem , OR

 

          Dervish  Collaboration with artist Alexandra Opie.  Video with electronic music.  George Fox University Art Gallery (2008). Willamette University Library faculty Research  Showcase (2008)

         Buy Simplify Collaboration with artist Alexandra Opie.  Video with electronic music.  George Fox University Art Gallery (2008).

 

          Crossing Borders  Collaboration with artist Ann Kresge DVD -projected installation.SAA Project Space , Salem OR (2008), Bush Barn Arts Center, Salem OR (2007). PAN Gallery. Portland, OR (2005), Midwest Information Technology Center/National Institute for Technology in Liberal Education Media, New Symposium (2005),

 

         Layers of Mystery” (1995). MIDI Sequence and digitally manipulated audio.  Intermedia  video/music/sculpture installation.  Widow Jane Mine,  Rosendale  NY

Conference Presentations

Arts Integration: How, What, and Why.  Arts Integration Conference for Educators: Create Integrate, Explore (Lane Arts Council).  Eugene, OR 2017

Improvisational Music and Dance: Finding Each Other.  With Matthew Nelson. National Dance Education Organization, International Guild of Musicians for Dance, American Dance Therapy           Association joint meeting. Minneapolis, Minnesota, 2011

MainStage 0n Stage: An Electronic Performer’s POV. College Music Society/Association for Technology in Music Instruction joint meeting.  Atlanta, GA 2008

Electro meets Acoustic: Improvisations for Violin and MIDI equipped Electronic Guitar with Laptop Electronics. With Richard Carr and Richard Hornsby. College Music Society/Association for  Technology in Music Instruction joint meeting.  Atlanta, GA 2008

Invited Panelist: Lab management session: Association for Technology in Music Instruction/College Music Society. Salt Lake City, UT 2007

Language Learning and the Arts: Digital Music Composition As A Means to Language Expression. With W. Gregory and M.Danan. International Conference on the Arts in Society. Edinburgh, Scotland 2006

Crossing Borders: Process and Product from the Music and Visual Artists’  Perspectives.  With Ann Kresge. Invited presenter.  Lafayette College Music and Technology Workshop.  National Institute for Technology in Liberal Education. Easton, Pennsylvania.  2006.

Sustaining Faculty Collaboration: Lessons from (and for) the West Coast Technology Project. Invited roundtable participate. With Kristine Bartanen, Alex Wirth-Cauchon and Brenda Barham-Hill.  Association of American Colleges and Universities, Learning and Technology: Implications for Liberal Education and the Disciplines.  Seattle, Washington. 2006.

Interactive Performance Collaborations for Digital Artists.  Invited presenter. National Institute for Technology in Liberal Education. Lake Forrest,  Illinois 2006

Crossing Borders: Multi-dimensional Media Collaboration. College Music Society/Association for Technology in Music Instruction joint meeting.  Quebec City, Canada   2005

Intermedia: Improvisation meets Digital Media Live!.  Invited speaker/facilitator for Music Session. Midwest Information Technology Center/National Institute for Technology in Liberal Education Media, New Symposium.  Grinell, IA 2005

Digital Music and Animation:  A Music and Computer Science Co-Curriculum Model Midwest Information Technology Center/National Institute for Technology in Liberal Education Media, New Symposium.  Grinell, IA 2005

Digital Music Techniques Meets Animation: A Co-Curriculum Model.  College Music Society/Association  for Technology in Music Instruction joint meeting.  San Francisco,  CA.  2004

Transitions: A Professional Development Model for Collaborative Multimedia Creation w.  with G Orr.  Ed-Media World Conference on Educational Multimedia, Hypermedia & Telecommunications. Honolulu, HI 2003

Classroom, Lab, and Technology:  An Integrative Approach to Music Theory Instruction, with M. Duerksen. Northwest Regional Conference of the College Music Society.  Portland, OR 2003

Passing On the Composers Art: Curriculum for Creating Music through Technology.  Technology Institute for Music Education, Music Educators National Conference Biennial. Nashville, TN.  2002

Curriculum, Competence, and Confidence: A 3C Approach to Teacher Preparation for Technology-integrated Practice.  Society for Information Technology and Teacher Education International Conference.  Nashville, TN.  2002

The Other Conversation: Teaching Practice and Music Technology. Technological Directions in Music Learning Conference : Institute for Music Research.  San Antonio, Texas.  2002

Creating a Music Technology Lab: Lessons from the Front. Technological Directions in Music Learning Conference : Institute for Music Research.  San Antonio, Texas.  2001.

Constructing a Toolkit for Creativity-based Music-integrated Interdisciplinarity. College Music Society, Northeast Regional Meeting.  Potsdam, NY.  1999

Music In The Classroom (MITC): A design model for the creation of WWW based distance learning resources for professional development.  Technological Directions in Music Learning Conference : Institute for Music Research.  San Antonio, Texas.  1999.

Music In The Classroom (MITC).  Research Poster Session.  Music Educators       National Conference, Eastern Division Meeting.  New York, NY.  1999.

Constructing Music Concepts through Improvisation.   Lecture-Recital. Northeast Regional Meeting, College Music Society.  Albany, NY.  1998.

Jazz Lecture-Recital. Mohonk Cultural Seminars  Lake Mohonk, NY.  1993.

Performing  Arts Presentation.  Conference on Interdisciplinary Curricula, General Education and Liberal Learning.  New Paltz, NY. 1993.

 

Selected Workshops/Seminars Presented

Functionen in Movement Improvisation.  With Makoto Matsushima. Musical accompanist and collaborator.  Workshop in Improvisation Movement with Actors and Directors as part of “New Directors’ Movement.”  Theater Horizon, Hong Kong (2018)

Free Improvisation for All Instruments: Workshop for advanced music students.  Konservatorium Winterthur, Winterthur Switzerland 2015, 2016, 2017

Improvisation masterclasses (multi-day, multi Topic) with Willamette Underground (James Miley, Ryan Biesack, Mike Nord,)  Kathmandu Jazz Conservatory, Kathmandu, Nepal. 2016        

Jazz Guitar performance clinic (multi-day).  Kathmandu Jazz Conservatory, Kathmandu, Nepal 2016

Active Listening for Improvising Dancers: City Contemporary Dance Company (CCDC) Hong Kong. 2015

Music Teacher Training Seminar.  Multi-session workshop. Nepal Music Educators’ Society (NMES).  Kathmandu Jazz Conservatory. Kathmandu Nepal 2014

Faculty Training. Multi-session workshop. Kathmandu Jazz Conservatory. Kathmandu, Nepal  2014

Jazz small group performance coaching. Kathmandu Jazz Conservatory. Kathmandu, Nepal 2014

Jazz Guitar.  Multi-session workshop. Kathmandu Jazz Conservatory. Kathmandu, Nepal 2014

Free Improvisation for All Instruments: Workshop for all musicians.  Peoples Fringe Festival, Hong Kong 2013

Free Improvisation for All Instruments: Workshop for advanced music students.  Konservatorium Winterthur, Winterthur Switzerland 2013 

Free Improvisation for All Instruments: Workshop for advanced music students.  Konservatorium Winterthur, Winterthur Switzerland 2012

Working with Music and Musicians in Free Improvisation: Workshop for advanced dance theater students at Pappa Tarahumara Theater Company/Performing Arts Institute, Tokyo, Japan (with Makoto Matsushima). 2012        

Public Lecture/ Performance for Nichinan  International Cultural Exchange organization (with Makoto Matsushima).  Nichinan Cultural Center, Nichinan Japan  2012

Improvisational Music and Dance: Matt Nelson/Mike Nord. Workshop and performance.  Winona State University.  Winona, Minnesota. 2011

Approaches  to Improvisation :A 3-part workshop for Classical Musicians Konservatorium  Winterthur. Winthur, Switzerland  2011

Approaches  to Improvisation :A 3-part workshop for Classical Musicians Konservatorium  Winterthur. Winthur, Switzerland  2010 

Approaches  to Improvisation :A 3-part workshop for Classical Musicians Konservatorium  Winterthur. Winthur, Switzerland  2008

Digital Music Workshops.  Creativity Across the Curriculum Conference.  National Institute for Technology in Liberal Education.  Willamette University, Salem, OR 2008

Plenary . Creativity Across the Curriculum Conference.  National Institute for Technology in Liberal Education.  Willamette University, Salem, OR 2008

Composition As A Means to Language Expression: A Case Study of WU-TIUA Collaboration. With  W. Gregory.   Faculty Colloquium.  Willamette University, Salem OR.  2006

Digital Music Technology: New Capabilities/New Works Institute for Continued Learning.  Invited Lecture.  Willamette University, Salem OR.  2006. 

Crossing Borders: Improvisation  meets New Media. Clinician:  International Association  for  Jazz Education  International Conference.  New York.  2006

Contemporary approaches to Jazz  performance and composition.  Institute for Continued Learning.  Invited Lecture.  Willamette University, Salem OR.  2005.

A New Model for Interdisciplinary Teaching and Collaboration in Multimedia. With  G. Orr.  Faculty Colloquium.  Willamette University, Salem OR.  2005

Approaches to Free Improvisation  - A hands-on workshop for all Instrumentalists.  Escuela Nacional de Musica, Universidad Nacional Autonoma de Mexico.  Mexico City, Mexico.  2004

Sound Design with BIAS Peak.  Oregon Technology Education Network(OTEN)  PT3 Winter Conference.  George Fox University, Portland, OR. 2004. 

The Arts and War: Music.  Willamette University teach-in Willamette University, Salem OR. 2003

Free Improvisation  Master classes.  Carr Nord Hofmann artists residency. Paul G. Allen Foundations Fund for Music grant. Willamette University, Salem OR. 2003

Willamette University

Music Department

Address
Willamette University
900 State Street
Salem Oregon 97301 U.S.A.
Phone
503-370-6255
503-370-6260 FAX