Kingsman International Music Academy

Faculty

At Kingsman International Music Academy, our faculty are more than just educators; they are visionaries, pioneers, and active practitioners at the forefront of their respective fields. They are the intellectual architects who guide our students in bridging the divide between artistic creativity and scientific rigour. Our diverse team comprises accomplished academics, industry veterans, and researchers from across Europe, each bringing a unique blend of expertise and real-world experience to the classroom. They are the living embodiment of our interdisciplinary ethos, fostering a dynamic learning environment where innovation is born from collaboration and critical inquiry.

Music Technology and Sound Engineering

Dr. Mārtiņš Siliņš

Role: Head of Programme, Professor of Audio Engineering

Biography: Dr. Siliņš is a preeminent figure in the field of psychoacoustics and immersive audio. A native of Latvia, he completed his doctoral studies in Berlin, focusing on the cognitive effects of spatial sound design. Prior to joining Kingsman, he spent over a decade as a lead sound designer for a major European gaming studio, where he developed proprietary algorithms for real-time ambient sound generation. His research interests lie at the intersection of neuroscience and sonic architecture, exploring how soundscapes can be engineered to influence human emotion and spatial perception.

Selected Publications:

  • Siliņš, M. (2022). Cognitive Mapping of Sonic Environments: An Immersive Audio Perspective. Journal of Sound and Vibration, Vol. 451, pp. 119-134.
  • Siliņš, M., & Koppel, L. (2019). Algorithmic Soundscapes: A Generative Approach to Ambiance. Journal of the Audio Engineering Society, Vol. 67, Issue 7/8, pp. 542-558.
  • Siliņš, M. (2018). The Psychology of Reverb: Auditory Perception in Virtual Reality. Proceedings of the 145th AES Convention, Paper No. 10452.

Ms. Anja Schmidt

Role: Senior Lecturer in Music Production

Biography: Anja Schmidt is a renowned music producer and mastering engineer with a portfolio spanning classical to electronic music. After graduating from the renowned Detmold University of Music, she established a successful independent studio in Hamburg, where she worked with a diverse array of artists. Her pedagogical approach centres on blending creative artistry with technical mastery, and she is an expert in analogue and digital signal chains. Ms. Schmidt frequently conducts workshops on advanced mixing techniques and the business of independent music production.

Selected Publications:

  • Schmidt, A. (2021). The Digital Mastering Workflow: A Hybrid Approach to Analogue Warmth. Sound On Sound Magazine.
  • Schmidt, A. (2017). The Art of the Sidechain: A Creative Mixing Technique. Journal of Music Technology Education.
  • Schmidt, A. (2016). Producing with the Artist: A Collaborative Guide to the Studio. (Book chapter in The Modern Producer’s Handbook).

Business of Creative Industries

Dr. Elina Koivisto

Role: Professor of Creative Entrepreneurship

Biography: Dr. Koivisto, a Finnish national, is a leading academic and consultant specialising in intellectual property and business strategy for creative ventures. She holds a PhD in Economics from the University of Helsinki and has a background advising tech startups and cultural institutions. Her research focuses on the valuation of intangible assets and the legal frameworks governing the digital creative economy. At Kingsman, she teaches a range of subjects, from startup funding models to intellectual property law, preparing students to navigate the complex commercial landscape of the arts.

Selected Publications:

  • Koivisto, E. (2023). Valuing Digital Art: The Economics of NFTs and Blockchain. Journal of Cultural Economics, Vol. 47, Issue 2, pp. 121-140.
  • Koivisto, E., & Virtanen, M. (2021). Copyright in the Age of AI: A Legal and Economic Analysis. European Intellectual Property Review, Vol. 43, Issue 11, pp. 698-712.
  • Koivisto, E. (2020). Creative Clusters: A Case Study of Urban Economic Development. Journal of Urban Affairs.

Mr. Stefan Novak

Role: Senior Lecturer in Marketing and Data Analytics

Biography: Mr. Novak, from Poland, is a seasoned marketing professional with over 15 years of experience in the entertainment and music sectors. He holds a master’s degree in Business Administration and has worked with some of the biggest names in the industry, overseeing data-driven campaigns for album launches and global tours. His expertise lies in using marketing analytics to predict consumer behaviour and optimise promotional strategies. His teaching at Kingsman combines academic theory with practical case studies, ensuring students are equipped with the skills needed for the data-driven world.

Selected Publications:

  • Novak, S. (2022). Predictive Analytics in Music Marketing: Forecasting Success from Streaming Data. Music Business Journal.
  • Novak, S. (2020). The Psychology of the Playlist: Analysing User Behaviour on Streaming Platforms. International Journal of Music Education.
  • Novak, S. (2019). Brand Building for Artists: A Social Media Guide. (Book).

Economics of Art and Culture

Dr. Jānis Bērziņš

Role: Professor of Cultural Economics

Biography: Dr. Bērziņš is a respected Latvian economist and historian with a deep specialisation in the economic history of art. He earned his PhD in Economic History from the London School of Economics, and his work examines how economic forces have shaped artistic movements and cultural consumption over centuries. His courses delve into topics such as art market bubbles, the economics of public funding for the arts, and the societal impact of cultural policies. He provides a critical, historical lens through which to view the contemporary creative economy.

Selected Publications:

  • Bērziņš, J. (2021). The Dutch Masters and the Tulip Mania: An Economic History of Artistic Supply and Demand. Journal of Economic History, Vol. 81, Issue 4, pp. 889-915.
  • Bērziņš, J. (2018). Patronage and Power: The Economics of Renaissance Art. Cultural Studies Review, Vol. 24, Issue 1, pp. 45-63.
  • Bērziņš, J. (2016). Public Funding and Art Innovation: A Comparative Study. Journal of Cultural Policy & Management.

International Relations and Cultural Diplomacy

Dr. Klara Ivanova

Role: Associate Professor of Cultural Diplomacy

Biography: Dr. Ivanova is a highly regarded political scientist from the Czech Republic with a specialisation in cultural soft power and transnational relations. She holds a PhD from Sciences Po in Paris and has served as a cultural advisor to various international non-profits. Her research explores how cultural exchange programmes, film, and music are used as tools of statecraft and international cooperation. She is an expert in negotiating cultural agreements and understanding the nuanced role of art in conflict resolution and global governance.

Selected Publications:

  • Ivanova, K. (2023). Art and Statecraft: Cultural Exchange in Post-Soviet Geopolitics. Journal of International Affairs, Vol. 76, Issue 2, pp. 243-261.
  • Ivanova, K., & Kowalski, A. (2021). The Film Festival as a Diplomatic Tool: A Case Study of European Cinema. International Journal of Cultural Policy.
  • Ivanova, K. (2020). Beyond Borders: The Role of Music in Fostering Cross-Cultural Understanding. Foreign Affairs.

Architectural and Spatial Design

Dr. Lukas Ehlers

Role: Professor of Sonic Architecture

Biography: Dr. Ehlers, a German architect and sound engineer, is a pioneer in the field of sonic architecture—the discipline of designing spaces with both visual aesthetics and acoustic performance in mind. He holds a PhD from the Technical University of Munich and has led award-winning projects for concert halls and museums across Europe. His research focuses on the integration of sustainable materials for acoustic optimisation and the use of biomimicry in architectural design. He is a strong advocate for creating environments that not only look good but also sound and feel right.

Selected Publications:

  • Ehlers, L. (2022). Bio-acoustics in Building Design: Mimicking Nature’s Soundscapes. Journal of Architectural Engineering, Vol. 28, Issue 3.
  • Ehlers, L., & Koch, M. (2019). Beyond the Visual: Designing for the Aural Experience in Public Spaces. The Architectural Review.
  • Ehlers, L. (2018). The Geometry of Sound: Optimising Performance Hall Acoustics. (Book).

Ms. Agnė Jankauskas

Role: Lecturer in Sustainable Design

Biography: Ms. Jankauskas is a Lithuanian-born designer and urban planner with a specialisation in sustainable and human-centred design. She earned her master’s degree from the Vilnius Academy of Arts and has extensive experience working on public art installations and urban regeneration projects. Her work is guided by the principle that design should be a force for social and environmental good. At Kingsman, she teaches students to integrate sustainable practices, from material selection to energy efficiency, into their design projects.

Selected Publications:

  • Jankauskas, A. (2021). Designing for Community: Public Art and Urban Spaces. Journal of Urban Design.
  • Jankauskas, A. (2019). Reclaiming the City: Sustainable Materials in Urban Regeneration. Journal of Sustainable Architecture.
  • Jankauskas, A. (2018). Ephemeral Art, Lasting Impact: Temporary Installations and Public Engagement. (Book chapter).

Computational Arts and Data Science

Dr. Anna Varga

Role: Professor of Computational Arts

Biography: Dr. Varga, from Hungary, is a leading figure in the intersection of artificial intelligence and creative expression. With a PhD in Computer Science from the University of Cambridge, her work focuses on developing algorithms for generative art and using data visualisation as a tool for artistic storytelling. She has exhibited her work in major galleries and museums across Europe. Her teaching at Kingsman challenges students to see data not just as a set of numbers, but as a new medium for artistic exploration and human expression.

Selected Publications:

  • Varga, A. (2023). Generative Music from Neural Networks: An Algorithmic Approach to Composition. Leonardo Journal, Vol. 56, Issue 1, pp. 67-82.
  • Varga, A. (2021). The Aesthetics of Data: Visualising Complex Datasets as Art. Journal of Creative Informatics.
  • Varga, A., & Horváth, P. (2020). Machine Learning for Artistic Style Transfer. (Conference paper, Proceedings of the International Conference on Generative Art).

Mr. Petr Kováč

Role: Senior Lecturer in Data Science

Biography: Mr. Kováč is a data scientist and analyst from Slovakia with a deep interest in the analytics of cultural consumption. He holds a master’s degree in Statistics and has worked with leading streaming platforms and cultural institutions to analyse audience behaviour and trends. His expertise lies in developing complex models to understand how people discover, consume, and share art and media. At Kingsman, he teaches students to use data science to make informed decisions in the creative and business worlds.

Selected Publications:

  • Kováč, P. (2022). Predicting Viral Content: A Data-Driven Analysis of Online Media. Journal of Digital Culture.
  • Kováč, P. (2020). Audience Segmentation in the Arts: A Cluster Analysis of Cultural Consumption. International Journal of Arts Management.
  • Kováč, P. (2019). The Digital Patron: Analysing Donation Behaviour on Crowdfunding Platforms. (Book chapter).