Jesse Stiles Appointed to Stamps Faculty
Jesse Stiles, a renowned composer, performer, and educator, will join the Penny W. Stamps School of Art & Design in Fall 2024.
A longtime faculty member at Carnegie Mellon University, Stiles held appointments in both the School of Music and the School of Art. On May 16, 2024, the University of Michigan Board of Regents formally approved his position as an associate professor of art and design with tenure at Stamps.
“I am thrilled to join the Stamps School of Art & Design, a place renowned for its commitment to a transdisciplinary approach to cultural production and research,” said Stiles. “The Stamps School’s dedication to fostering creative practice and intellectual curiosity aligns perfectly with my vision of integrating diverse creative and academic disciplines.”
Stiles is known for his groundbreaking creative work in the realms of sound, music genres, and immersive art installations. Using generative algorithms to combine a wide range of mediums, Stiles reimagines installation spaces as immersive environments that provide a unique experience for visitors.
In addition to his professional work, Stiles is an experienced and skilled educator with a wide range of technical expertise and knowledge, particularly in computational media, performance, and sound arts. His expansive professional work includes performances, commissions, and exhibitions at the Smithsonian American Art Museum, Lincoln Center, and the Whitney Museum of American Art.
He has also appeared multiple times at Carnegie Hall as a soloist with electronic instruments. Jesse has served as the Music Supervisor for the Merce Cunningham Dance Company since 2010. With the Cunningham company, he received the 2012 ‘Outstanding Production in a Large Venue’ award from the New York Dance and Performance Awards for his Park Avenue Armory Event production. As a composer and sound designer, Jesse has extensive discography and filmography, producing dozens of records and scoring numerous films and video games. Most recently, he was the composer of the award-winning documentary Workhorse Queen.
In an announcement about Stiles’ appointment, Stamps Dean Carlos Francisco Jackson noted that his “interdisciplinary background and skills will help strengthen the Stamps 4D and InterArts/Performance curriculum and research agendas. His appointment to the Stamps faculty will provide an opportunity to meaningfully collaborate across the university’s AI and sound/performance educational and research imperatives.”
“I look forward to contributing to this vibrant community and collaborating with colleagues and students across campus to further the integrative, exploratory, and dynamic spirit that defines Stamps,” said Stiles.
Stiles begins his appointment in late August and will begin teaching courses at Stamps in January 2025.