PG Research Student Profiles

Browse our current Postgraduate Research Students below and find out more about the projects they are working on

For a list of those who have successfully completed PhDs at the RNCM since the programme commenced in 2009, see our PG Research Alumni page.

Jack Adler-McKean

Towards a comprehensive tuba performance practice The development of a musical instrument requires both a reflexive, critical evaluation […]

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Jason Alder

Jason’s research focuses on the sonic possibilities of the contrabass clarinet, explored through composer-performer collaboration He’s also investigating […]

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Anna Appleby

Anna is composing an opera in collaboration with poet Niall Campbell for performance by the BBC Philharmonic. Composer […]

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David Bainbridge

Hegemony/electronic mediation David’s project is a study of the political category of hegemony, and of mediation via electronic tele-communications […]

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Kerry Baldwin

The influence of Berio’s Sequenza V on trombone repertoire and technique: Performances and thesis Kerry’s research project is in […]

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Isabel Benito Gutiérrez

Isabel is working towards a PhD in composition at the RNCM, researching about the connection between music and […]

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Devon Bonelli

Devon is studying his PhD in Composition with his supervisors Prof. Emily Howard, Dr Simon Clarke, Dr Sam […]

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Caroline Bordignon

Caroline’s research involves collaboration between fine art and music with a focus on composition and painting. Caroline began her studies […]

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Elspeth Brooke

The Application of Cinematographic Techniques and Aesthetics of Proximity and Perspective to Musical Composition In the first year […]

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Matthew Brown

Matthew Brown is a composer and violist, born in 1985 in Canterbury, England. He trained as a chef […]

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David Cane

Representations of disability in post-war British opera David’s research, aligning itself with the emerging interdisciplinary field of enquiry, […]

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Jo-Yee Cheung

Jo is an RNCM-funded music education researcher looking at the role of parents in the development of metacognition in […]

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Nate Chivers

Nate Chivers is a Composer & Guitarist who is PhD research student at RNCM. He is currently researching […]

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Caroline Clegg

Caroline’s performance-based research is the creation of new site-specific music and drama pieces in the setting of Heaton […]

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Harvey Davies

Harvey is undertaking a large-scale project to make the world première recordings of much of the chamber music […]

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Meriel Price

Meriel’s research expands on her existing creative practice, investigating nuances of the art – life relationship in order […]

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Eleanor Guenault

Eleanor’s research interests surround the issues of diversity in music education, and specifically the question of gender balance […]

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Jennie Hartley

Jennie’s research into music education looks at composition in the higher key stages of secondary schools, with particular […]

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Christian Jones

Opera North bass and contrabass trombonist Christian Jones began playing at the age of ten, progressing through Staffordshire’s […]

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Naomi Kayayan

Taking the methodological approach of Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA), Naomi’s PhD will report on the findings from two […]

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Simon Knighton

Simon’s research will investigate the area of acoustic instrumentation plus electronics and will tackle the issue of the […]

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Rob Laidlow

Robert’s work involves developing creative tools and methodologies for composers, based on artificial intelligence, and collaborating with leading […]

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Zakiya Leeming

Portfolio of compositions: Naturally occurring patterns and concepts

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Bofan Ma

Bofan has long believed in the charm of live concert performances. He regards the intricate entanglement between sound […]

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Molly Marsh

Molly is a PhD student in music psychology. Her research looks at musicians’ wellbeing and the role of education in reducing […]

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Peggy Nolan

Peggy’s research will investigate the correlation of Luigi Boccherini’s craft both as composer and cellist, towards the comprehension […]

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Rosalind Ridout

Rosalind’s research centres around her (moving) body as a flute player and performer, and is an autoethnographic exploration […]

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Tywi Roberts

Tywi’s current research project is focused around mapping the methodologies of digital composition over to the acoustic space, […]

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Ellen Sargen

Ellen’s research addresses ongoing shifts in the creative distribution between composer and performer A composer who predominantly works […]

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Davide Sciacca

Davide’s research examines early 19th century guitar repertoire inspired by the operas of Sicilian composer Vincenzo Bellini. This […]

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Maria Stratigou

Maria’s research aims to highlight and explore the piano Etudes of Louise Farrenc, a composer, performer, pedagogue and researcher, […]

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Melvin Tay

Melvin’s research explores re-realising opera through arrangements for chamber ensemble that would help facilitate performances by groups with […]

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Nick Waldock

Nick is a Practice-as-Research (PaR) student Nick is exploring Melodicism on the electric bass through original compositions and […]

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Alex Webb

Alex is currently conducting research into British Light Music; in particular the contributions made by Ernest Tomlinson (1924-2015). […]

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Anna Wright

The supporters and benefactors of the Royal Manchester College of Music (RMCM): musical patronage and philanthropy in Manchester, […]

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