Nick Hwang is an interdisciplinary artist and researcher whose work explores the convergence of art, technology, and interaction, with a particular emphasis on collaborative, multi-user systems. He is currently an Associate Professor in the Media Arts and Game Development program at the University of Wisconsin–Whitewater. Trained in music and digital media, Hwang earned his Ph.D. in Compositional and Experimental Music & Digital Media from Louisiana State University, along with a Master’s degree in Music Composition from LSU and a B.A. in Theory and Composition from the University of Florida.
Hwang’s creative practice centers on participatory and networked experiences that blend programming, audio, and experiential design to democratize art-making and promote inclusivity. His work spans interactive installations, live performance systems, and distributed platforms, including the globally accessible networked music framework Collab-Hub.io. His projects integrate audiovisual, gestural, and exploratory modalities, encouraging audiences to move from passive observers to active collaborators.
His research interests include computer music, networked musical performance, game design and development, human–computer interaction, and artificial intelligence in music. Hwang has presented his research and creative work at leading international venues, including SEAMUS, the International Computer Music Conference (ICMC), Ars Electronica, NIME, ISEA, ACM SIGGRAPH, and the Edinburgh Festival Fringe. As a co-founder and Chief Technology Officer at Lyrai, he has led AI-driven digital acoustic modeling research, recognized with an NSF I-Corps award.
Hwang’s portfolio includes commissions such as 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 theatrical 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), the 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 enables real-time mobile audience participation, and telematic multimedia performances such as SHP of THSEUS, presented at the New York Electronic Music Festival and SEAMUS. His research and creative activity have been supported by grants, best paper awards, teaching awards, and institutional honors from organizations including the National Science Foundation, the International Computer Music Association, and the University of Wisconsin–Whitewater.
Through interdisciplinary collaboration, Hwang mentors undergraduate researchers, leads ensemble and summer camp programs, and serves as an editor and reviewer for scholarly journals and conferences. His students have received international awards, published commercial video games on platforms such as Steam, and presented work at national and international venues. Across research, teaching, and creative practice, Hwang is committed to empowering students and audiences to engage critically and creatively with emerging technologies, blending composition, computation, and exploration on a global scale.