Ewan Collins

Before I started my Bachelor of Music, my background was deeply rooted in electronic music production. I wanted to branch out into writing more for live acoustic instruments and create sonic arts and audiovisual works. These were all skills that the School of Music teaches and helps facilitate.

After working as a freelancer for a while, I decided to enrol in a Master of Music. This allowed me to extend my academic knowledge further while still gaining work experience. A masters degree can also help get people to pay attention to your work.

I enjoyed the freedom to take my research in any direction I wanted. At the postgraduate level, you have more control over the focus of your study, which let me delve deep into specific topics. It also meant I could compose music for different groups and settings, whether on a computer or in a concert hall. This helped me develop my skills in all areas of sound-making.

During my time at University, I had two of my pieces played by the NZTrio, which was fantastic. Some of the work I am most proud of is yet to be released, so I have much to look forward to.

Along with teaching a course at the University, I am also doing freelance work in composition, production, and sound design. Some of my music has even been featured in an exhibition at the Auckland Art Gallery.

I am passionate about making new sounds through sound design, synthesis, and recording. This permeates into my work for sound effects in film and games and the music I compose.

I am also extremely interested in the perceptual aspects of sound – how our mind and senses handle auditory information. This is what my thesis focused on, and it opens up a whole new way to approach sound-making and understand how audiences can vary in how they hear and interpret sounds.