Andrea Wong at John Korsrud’s Absolute Unit at SFU Atrium
Photo: Diane Smithers
UBC alum Andrea Wong (BKin’19) is a Kinesiology graduate who minored in Applied Music Technology (AMT). She traces her career path as a new media artist and sound designer back to her education in music technology. Her work currently spans immersive soundwalks and experimental performance projects to collaborative operatic and improvisational work. Andrea’s career reflects the interdisciplinary, hands-on spirit that defines Music and New Media Technology at UBC.
In this Q & A, Andrea reflects on the mentors, collaborators, and learning environment that empowered her to take creative risks and how student funding, such as the Dr. Robert Pritchard and Dr. Keith Hamel Award in Music Technology and New Media, could help unlock bold, compassionate innovation for the next generation of music-tech creators.
What inspired you to pursue Music Technology at UBC?
When I discovered UBC’s Minor in Applied Music Technology program, I was completing my bachelors of kinesiology. The AMT program was intriguing to me as it seemed to have a fantastic mix of not just conceptual intellectual learning, but also hands-on application. I thought this would be a fun and meaningful addition to my undergraduate experience and time proved my assessment was correct.
You now work as a new media artist and sound designer and have been involved with interesting projects such as ECHOES Interactive Soundwalks and collaborating with fellow UBC alum Teiya Kasahara (BMus’07) on their alternative opera project. What was it about your experience studying Music Technology that inspired this rich and varied path?
Studying Applied Music Technology placed me in an environment of students from various fields of study: computer science, engineering, music composition and biology. This diversity, mixed with the collaborative projects-based class structure, bubbled a growing passion I continue to have for multidisciplinary group work.
L to R: Teiya Kasahara (they/he) & Andrea Wong, Butterfly Project
Photo: Lucky Tang
The diverse, interdisciplinary and experimental nature of the projects I have been involved with as a freelance artist today are heavily influenced by my AMT experience, particularly being part of UBC’s Laptop Orchestra, Sonic UBC Laptop Sounds and Sensors (SUBCLASS). It involved designing live concert performances that integrated multiple interactive technologies. Every project was an inspiring reminder of how much was technologically possible in teams with wildly different backgrounds and strengths. In fact, SUBCLASS was what persuaded me to pursue an artistic career path; I repeatedly reminded Dr. Bob (Pritchard) that the AMT program single-handedly ruined my acupuncture career plans (in the best way!).
“Studying Applied Music Technology placed me in an environment of students from various fields of study: computer science, engineering, music composition, biology. This diversity, mixed with the collaborative projects-based class structure, bubbled a growing passion I continue to have for multidisciplinary group work.”
When you think about your time studying Music Technology, what aspects of that learning environment most empowered you to experiment, grow and take risks as an artist?
In addition to the interesting assortment of students, the AMT program had a fantastical curriculum. My previous music background was recreational in nature, primarily from studying classical piano. The Applied Music Technology program introduced me to other artists and composers who worked with new technologies of their time. It also sent me off wide-eyed with wildly different listening assignments packed with novel sounds in recordings and compositions, and fed off my curiosity by facilitating a healthy reflection of what music is and can be (with and without technology). In addition to listening to such works, we had many hands-on projects with various hardwares and softwares. These activities encouraged us to play with technology, and within that play, I would discover so so many exciting possibilities. The graduating capstone project was a challenging endeavour and graduating requirement. Having an expert such as Dr. Keith Hamel to mentor me personally in my colour-tracking software project was a deep privilege I am grateful for to this day.
“I hope the next generation of music-tech creators can create freely and radically, with deep meaning and relevance, and paired with revolutionary compassion and hope in what’s possible.”
This Dr. Bob Pritchard and Dr. Keith Hamel Award in Music Technology and New Media will support students who want to experiment and innovate—as you do so beautifully. Why do you believe this kind of support is important, and what impact do you hope donors can make for the next generation of music‑tech creators?
Experimentation and innovation are so important, particularly in our rapidly changing and unpredictable world. I believe they are what can challenge and free us from cages of convention, particularly important when convention no longer provides a solution to our current circumstances. I hope the next generation of music-tech creators can create freely and radically, with deep meaning and relevance, and paired with revolutionary compassion and hope in what’s possible.
A small donation can make a big difference!
Invest in the next generation of students exploring music technology and new media at UBC by removing financial barriers and putting the tools, training and cross-disciplinary collaboration in students’ hands. With your generosity, we can expand opportunities and build a strong network of students working at the intersection of music, technology and new media.
