Paul Mizzi
I am a flutist and doctoral candidate at the University of Iowa. My musical interests include the European Medieval, Renaissance and Baroque traditions as well as pre-industrial music from around the world, especially India, China, Japan, Africa, and the Middle East. I am also interested in improvised and non-literate musical traditions, amateur music making, pop music, video game music, electronic and internet music, and more.
My research interests include video game music, early internet culture, and popular music of the 2000's. I am fascinated with the wisdom of pre-industrial cultures from around the world, especially India, China, Japan, Africa, and the Middle East. I am also interested in Psychology, Sociology, Media Studies, East Asian philosophy and religion, contemporary social issues, and more. My favorite thinkers and writers include Vandana Shiva, Tich Nhat Hanh, Carl Jung, Josephine McCarthy, and more.
As an aspiring college professor, I believe that universities are places for exploration, creative experimentation, exposure to a broad range of ideas and values, mentoring, personal development, and more. As a musician, I believe that music is a lens through which which we can explore and experience humanity. It's a vehicle which can be used to learn about ourselves and others as well as express our own creativity. All music emerges from a cacophony of rich cultural traditions which can be expressed though performance, listening, analysis, and discussion of music. Professional musicians, amateurs of all ages, and audiences are all equally vital members of an artistic ecosystem which music needs in order to thrive.
My education includes a Bachelors of Music from Bowling Green State University, an Masters of Music from the Manhattan school of music, and a Doctorate of Music Arts (in progress) from the University of Iowa. My flute teachers were Brandy Hudelson, Conor Nelson, Tara O'Connor, and Nicole Esposito. Numerous other college faculty, peers, audiences, friends, and others have also played an invaluable role in my development.
I am always looking for connections with creative people. You can reach me via email to share your thoughts and comments.