Erika Donald

Ph.D. candidate in Music Education
Supervisor: Prof. Marcelo M. Wanderley, Dr. Virginia Penhune (Psychology, Concordia University)

Email: erika [at] music [dot] mcgill [dot] ca
Web:
Fax: +1 (514) 398-2962
Phone: +1 (514) 398-4535 ext. 094846

Research Interests

  • Movement, coordination, and motor learning using 3D motion capture technology
  • Effective teaching strategies and teacher education
  • String performance and pedagogy
  • Technology and interaction in music performance and education
  • Contemporary music, chamber music, non-Western music

Academic Background

  • Ph.D. candidate Music Education - McGill University, in progress
  • M.Mus. Solo Cello Performance - McGill University (Canada), 2008
  • B.Mus. Cello Performance - University of Manitoba (Canada), 2005

Current Projects

Past Projects

  • The CIRMMT/McGill Digital Orchestra Project - Performance Research Assistant
  • Jeux d'ombres for cello with live electronics and dance - collaboration with composer Anthony Tan and dancer/choreographer Melina Stinson
  • At the Core: Effects of tempo on bow arm and torso movements of highly skilled cellists using motion capture technology - collaboration with David-Anthony Savoca, Dr. Julie Côté and Dr. Marcelo M. Wanderley (funded by a SSHRC Master's Scholarship)

IDMIL Publications

Other Publications

Conference Presentations and Published Abstracts

  • Erika Donald, Virginia Penhune, and Marcelo Wanderley. (2013). Learning to Play the Cello: An analysis of 3D movement and the effects of visual and auditory feedback throughout the learning process. Society for Music Perception & Cognition (SMPC), Toronto, ON, August 2013.
  • Erika Donald. (2012). Abstract & poster: “Performance Students as Future Studio Teachers: Are they prepared to teach?“ 30th International Society for Music Education (ISME) World Conference and Commission of the Education of the Professional Musician (CEPROM), Athens and Thessaloniki, Greece.
  • Erika Donald, Theodora Stathopoulous, and Lisa Lorenzino. (2012). Abstract & presentation: “Adopt or Adapt? El Sistema as an Inspiration for Music Education in Canada.” In Proceedings of the 30th International Society for Music Education (ISME) World Conference, Thessaloniki, Greece: 372.
  • Erika Donald, Marcelo M. Wanderley and Isabelle Cossette. (2010). “Effects of tempo on bow arm and center of mass movements in highly skilled cellists and their pedagogical implications.” 11th International Conference on Music Perception and Cognition, University of Washington, Seattle, USA.
  • Erika Donald. (2010). “The Teaching Practices of Irene Sharp: Exceptional Cello Pedagogue.” 29th International Society for Music Education (ISME) World Conference and Forum on Instrumental & Vocal Teaching, Beijing, China.
  • Erika Donald. (2010). “Paving the Way: Balancing Short-Term and Long-Term Goals in Studio Teaching” International Conference on Multidisciplinary Research in Music Pedagogy, University of Ottawa, Ontario.
  • Erika Donald. (2009). “Jeux d'ombres: Reflections on interaction and collaboration in live electronics.” The Performer's Voice: An International Forum for Music Performance & Scholarship, National University of Singapore, Singapore.
  • Poster: Erika Donald, David-Anthony Savoca, Julie Côté, Marcelo M. Wanderley, and Isabelle Cossette. (2009). “At the Core: Effects of tempo on bow arm movements and postural stability of highly skilled cellists. Congrès FAMEQ: Fédération des associations de musiciens éducateurs du Québec, Montréal.
  • Erika Donald and Xenia Pestova. (2009). “The Digital Orchestra Project: Digital Musical Instruments and Performance Practice.” SPARK Festival of Electronic Music and Arts, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA.
  • Erika Donald. (2009). “Balance & Bowing: Investigating the Effects of Tempo on Bowing and Torso Movements in Expert Cello Playing” McGill University Music Graduate Students’ Symposium, Montreal.
  • Erika Donald and Xenia Pestova. (2009). “The Digital Orchestra Project: Digital Musical Instruments and Performance Practice.” McGill University Music Graduate Students’ Symposium, Montreal.

Invited Talks

Recent Performances

  • X-Periment: an international dialogue on Artistic Experimentation in Music - ORCiM-Pentacon Research Festival. Television Sky by Eliot Britton. EP trio. Ghent, Belgium, October, 2011.
  • Electronic Music Studies Network / Electronic Music Foundation sforzando! conference. Television Sky by Eliot Britton. EP trio. New York City, USA.
  • International Conference on New Interfaces for Musical Expression (NIME). Television Sky by Eliot Britton. EP trio. Oslo, Norway.
  • Cluster New Music & Integrated Arts Festival. Solo cello and EP trio performances. Winnipeg, Manitoba, 2010.
  • MusiMars Contemporary Music Festival. Premiere of Ferrofluid by Eliot Britton. Montreal, 2009.
  • MUTEK: Electronic Music and Digital Creativity Festival. Middle Clouds: Family A, B, C for amplified string quartet and laptop by Ben Shemie. Montreal, 2008.
  • Music + Technology Incubator III. sounds between our minds by D. Andrew Stewart. CIRMMT/McGill University, Montreal, 2008.
  • Premieres and recording of Jeux d'ombres for cello with live electronics and dance by Anthony Tan with Erika Donald and Melina Stinson. Montreal, 2008.
  • MusiMars Contemporary Music Festival. The Digital Orchestra project: Premieres of The Long and the Short of It (solo cello) by Heather Hindman and sounds between our minds (soprano t-stick) by D. Andrew Stewart . Montreal, 2008. Recorded live for CBC Radio 2 ('The Signal').

Selected Workshops

  • What Every Musician Needs to Know About the Body, Andover Educators 5th Biennial Conference, Montclair State University, NJ, 2011, and McGill University (organizer), 2011.
  • International Summer School in Systematic, Comparative and Cognitive Musicology, Centre of Excellence in Interdisciplinary Music Research, University of Jyväskylä, Finland, 2009.
  • Irene Sharp Cello Seminar, Stanford University, 2004.

Teaching Experience

  • Guest Artist and Teacher, Afghanistan Winter Music Academy, Kabul, Afghanistan, 2012 and 2013. See article: Canada is rebuilding Afghanistan through music - one cello at a time
  • Course Lecturer, Basic Materials of Western Music I - MUAR 201, McGill University, Fall 2012.
  • Course Lecturer, String Techniques - MUIT 201, McGill University, Winter 2011.
  • Cello Faculty, Brandon Suzuki Summer Institute, Brandon University, Brandon, MB, July 2010.
  • Teaching Assistant, The Art of Listening - MUAR 211, McGill University, Winter 2010.
  • Substitute Lecturer, String Techniques - MUIT 201, McGill University, Winter 2009.
  • Guest Instructor, Winnipeg Summer Cello Institute, Winnipeg, MB, 2008.
  • Cello Instructor, McGill Conservatory of Music, McGill University, 2007 - present.
  • Private Cello Instructor, Montreal, QC, 2007 - present.
  • Cello and Suzuki Group Class Instructor, University of Manitoba Preparatory Studies Program, Winnipeg, MB, 2001-2006.
  • Program Coordinator, City of Brandon Kids in Bloom Summer Day Camp, Brandon, MB, 2002.
  • Counselor, Kids in Bloom and YMCA Summer Day Camps, Brandon, MB, 1998-2001.