Dr. Andy Kirshner

Biography

Andy Kirshner is a composer, performer, writer, and media artist known for creating music-theater works. He draws from an eclectic background in jazz, classical composition, theater, dance, video, and performance art to construct multidisciplinary compositions that explore the intersection of traditional performing arts and contemporary media. As a trained composer and saxophonist, Kirshner has studied singing, acting, and electronic media, and has served as the principal performer in many of his pieces. His works have been recognized and funded by the National Endowment for the Arts, Mary Flagler Cary Charitable Trust, Massachusetts Council for the Arts, Meet Composer, American Music Center, ArtServe Michigan, and the American Academy of Arts and Letters. Recent works include "Evening Tony Amore," a performance piece blending jazz voice and orchestra based on the myth of Frank Sinatra; a one-man video musical addressing race and nationalism; and "Four Haiku," a web piece. Kirshner is currently working on a post-human, sci-fi morality play titled "Museum Life and Death," which incorporates music, dance, motion capture technology, surround sound, and virtual actors. His music-theater works have been presented at various venues, including the Museum of African American History in Detroit and the Joyce Theater in New York City.

Research Interests