UBC Alum Dr. Fidelia Lam
In this Q&A we trace how studies in Music Technology shaped UBC Music alum Dr. Fidelia Lam’s (BMus’15, MA, PhD) lifelong creative pathways. Reflecting on her time in UBC’s then‑new Minor in Applied Music Technology, this artist and Assistant Professor shares how hands‑on experimentation, interdisciplinary thinking, and a deeply supportive learning environment sparked a lasting engagement with music, media, and technology. Dr. Lam’s story underscores the role of curiosity, mentorship, and institutional support in empowering emerging artists to take creative risks—insights that speak directly to the transformative potential of the Dr. Bob Pritchard and Dr. Keith Hamel Award in Music Technology and New Media.
What inspired you to pursue the Minor in Applied Music Technology at UBC?
Music 119 was a first-year required course with Dr. Bob Pritchard (Dr. Bob) and offered a well-rounded and hands on introduction to how digital technologies can augment and develop with musical practice. The course provided access to technologies and processes I wouldn’t have otherwise been aware of or had access to, and the minor (which was new at the time), offered a clear path of exploration into interdisciplinary pathways of exploring music, technology, and performance.
You are now working as an artist and as an Assistant Professor in the Faculty of Arts & Science and School of Graduate Studies at OCAD University. How did your Music Technology education inspire your career?
Being introduced to music technology as an undergraduate opened the door to interdisciplinary practices that were still emerging at the time (or at least not as prevalent as now) and that I didn’t know were possible. I love the practice-based approach of making, experimenting, performing, and iterating—which differed from the other more traditional comprehensive approaches of my other classes. It led me to graduate and doctoral studies in areas of media arts. I’m still using and revisiting skills and knowledge I learned in the Applied Music Technology minor in the classroom and professional practice!
“Being introduced to music technology as an undergraduate opened the door to interdisciplinary practices that were still emerging at the time…I’m still using and revisiting skills and knowledge I learned in the Applied Music Technology minor in the classroom and professional practice!”
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?
What stands out most from my time at UBC studying music technology was how Dr. Bob and Dr. Keith Hamel fostered a supportive environment through their shared collaborations, humour, and deep knowledge. I received access to studio facilities and spaces where, as a student, I was invited to pursue my curiosities and develop interdisciplinary collaborations. This enabled me to experiment, fail productively, all while supporting me with openness and patience both in and beyond the classroom.
“We need creative innovators who are curious, experimental, and understand technology from both theoretical and practical perspectives to help understand and address the polycrises we currently find ourselves in.”
The Dr. Bob Pritchard and Dr. Keith Hamel Award in Music Technology and New Media supports students who want to experiment and innovate. Why do you believe this kind of student support is important, and what impact do you hope donors can make for the next generation of music‑tech creators?
Globally, we find ourselves entangled in multiple interlocking polycrises, manifesting at multiple scales and intimacies. We need creative innovators who are curious, experimental, and understand technology from both theoretical and practical perspectives to help understand and address the polycrises we currently find ourselves in. Music Technology and New Media, as I was introduced through Bob and Keith allow music-tech creators and media makers to explore, imagine, and articulate critical spaces and possibilities that we need now more than ever.
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.
