Nick Hwang is an interdisciplinary artist and researcher who delves deep into the confluence of art, technology, and interaction, particularly emphasizing collaborative multi-user interactive experiences. He is currently an Associate Professor at the University of Wisconsin at Whitewater. With academic roots in music and digital media, Nick earned his Ph.D. in Compositional and Experimental Music & Digital Media at Louisiana State University. He holds a Master’s degree in Music Composition from Louisiana State University and a B.A. in Theory and Composition from the University of Florida.
Hwang’s practice centers on collaborative, multi-user interactive experiences, blending programming, audio, and design to create immersive works that democratize art-making and champion inclusivity. His creations span audiovisual, gestural, and explorative mediums, from interactive installations to live performance systems and networked platforms such as Collab-Hub.io.
Hwang’s research interests include computer music, networked musical performance, game design/development, human-computer interaction, and AI in music. He has presented his research and creative output at leading conferences such as SEAMUS, ICMC, Ars Electronica, NIME, ISEA, SIGGRAPH, and the Edinburgh Festival Fringe. As co-founder and CTO of Lyrai, he helped lead AI-driven digital acoustic modeling, which was recognized with an NSF I-Corps award.
His portfolio features prominent commissions including “Dracones Nursery” for alto saxophone and interactive electroacoustics (TurnUp Festival, University of Arizona, New York Electronic Music Festival), “Fishing for Jörmungandr” for two tubas and electronics (commissioned by Andy Larson), and theater music for “Everyman in the Circus of Life” (commissioned for Dr. John’s Folks Middle School). His residencies and exhibitions include the interactive audiovisual installation “Resonate” (Roberts Gallery, UW-Whitewater), electroacoustic score “Origin” (Movement Theatre, Edinburgh Festival Fringe), and “Resonating Stories” as Artist in Residence at the Wisconsin League of Public Municipalities Fall Conference.
Innovative interactive works define Hwang’s creative output, including “You are the Product,” which invites real-time mobile audience participation, and telematic multimedia performances like “SHP of THSEUS,” presented at the New York Electronic Music Festival and SEAMUS. Grants, best paper and teaching awards, and honors from major organizations such as NSF, ICMA, and UW-Whitewater regularly support his research and workshops.
Through interdisciplinary collaboration, Hwang mentors undergraduates, leads ensemble and camp programs, and contributes as an editor and reviewer for scholarly journals and conferences. His students have won composition competitions and international prizes for innovative work, and have published their video games on platforms such as Steam. His dedication empowers students and audiences to engage with innovative artistic experiences, blending composition, technology, and exploration on a global scale.