Maria Sappho, Master's Research Tutor.
Maria Sappho is a Puerto Rican American, currently working as an artist and researcher in the UK. Maria specializes in multi-species collaborative projects working from a practice that revolves around cyborg creativity with the AI named ‘Chimere’.
Maria wrote the first opera in 2021. It was made entirely in collaboration with AI, that includes the score, libretto, props, costumes, lighting design etc. In 2022, she developed a trans-human orchestra building new musical instruments, tuning systems and compositions based on communication between human, machine, and fungal logics. Elements of these new works were premiered at the Theatre Snt. Gervais in Switzerland at the Glasgow Improvisers Orchestra festival in Maria’s composition ‘concerto for virtualities and orchestra in workshop at the Huddersfield Contemporary Music festival (2022) and presented as part of the Creative Climate Awards presented around NYC in 2023.
She is currently part of furthering artistic practice with AI through her work on the Chimere Communities project, which is setting up international artistic hubs in South Africa and Lesotho for work in critically engaging with contemporary issues surrounding AI, globality, and creative practice.
Maria has had work shown around the world including exhibitions at the Cupola gallery (UK) Sunny Bank Mills (UK), MOA (IT), N Gallery (GR), GOMA (UK) and the Analix Forever gallery (CH). She has also worked with a number of large ensembles including the International Contemporary Ensemble (US), BBC Scottish symphony orchestra, Australian Art Orchestra, and the Instant Composers Pool (ND). Maria is a long-time member of the Glasgow Improvisers Orchestra and founding member of the Noisebringers ensemble in the UK.
Maria has also won multiple awards including the BBC radiophonic Daphne Oram award in 2021, Dewar awards in 2018 and New Piano Stars Competition in 2015. She gained her PhD as part of the European Research Council project IRiMaS where she assisted in the development of new software through her work in investigating the global practices of contemporary experimental improvisers. Maria also holds a MMus and BMus from the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland and is the current module coordinator for Sonic Improvisation at the Conservatoire. She runs the Feminist Free Improvisation Archive (for gender minority artists), curates for Mopomoso (Vortex Jazz bar London) and co-edits the political arts magazine the Mass. Her work has been published in the Cambridge University Press Organised Sound Journal, in Frontiers Psychology and she is currently working on a book publication with the Oxford University Press.
Instagram: @K33SIA
Website: mariasappho.com
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Write songs that last for generations
A great song can become truly timeless, remembered for generations as part of the world’s cultural legacy. Whether you want to craft a killer melody or pen poetic lyrics, our tutors will teach you everything you want to know, including all the production, performance, professional and entrepreneurial skills needed to ensure that your unique creations get the recognition they deserve. You’ll also benefit from A&R-style critique sessions, collaborative opportunities, access to fully equipped live rooms, recording studios and tech suites, and a community of inspiring contacts and friends.
To catapult your songwriting and music career to a whole new level, email our friendly Admissions Team at enquiries@icmp.ac.uk or give them a call on 020 7328 0222.
Songwriting courses
A great song can become truly timeless, remembered for generations as part of the world’s cultural legacy. Whether you want to craft a killer melody or pen poetic lyrics, our tutors will teach you everything you want to know, including all the production, performance, professional and entrepreneurial skills needed to ensure that your unique creations get the recognition they deserve. You’ll also benefit from A&R-style critique sessions, collaborative opportunities, access to fully equipped live rooms, recording studios and tech suites, and a community of inspiring contacts and friends.
To catapult your songwriting and music career to a whole new level, email our friendly Admissions Team at enquiries@icmp.ac.uk or give them a call on 020 7328 0222.