Kevin Purrone earned his BM in music theory from the Eastman School of Music. After taking a year to research creativity, improvisation, and performance, he continued his formal studies at Indiana University. He began a long series of solo and collaborative performances in the United States and Europe, and composed many pieces for traditional and electronic instruments.
Finding questions related to the generation of creativity, cognitive complexity of improvisation, and integrative productivity unanswered, he began work on his PhD at Texas' interdisciplinary studies program. There he explored aesthetics, visual art, theater, dance, and music, and researched creativity and cognitive complexity in human endeavors. After completing this degree, he took a position at a mid-western university. He composed a number of scores for silent film, and his music has been performed to great critical acclaim in this country and abroad.
While teaching piano and serving as a college advisor, Dr. Purrone continued his interdisciplinary research and began formal studies in psychology. These studies in psychology in combination with his previous work have helped to create a foundation of understanding of the process and systhesis that occurs interpsychically during the creative process. He currently works with high school students in New York. Dr. Purrone's creative work includes the score to "The Goddess," a film made in Shanghai in 1934. He performed this score at the Egyptian Theater during the 2004 Seattle Film Festival, and at the 9th Annual San Francisco Silent Film Festival. He continues to compose, and has recently finished his first book of tangos for piano solo.
Two CD's and a DVD of his work are available from the
San Francisco Silent Film Festival
C.V.
(Resume)
Seminar in Critical Thinking about the Arts; information about Improvisation, Memorization, and Piano Technique.
Listen to music while you are visiting (there are a number of midi files you can choose, including some original compositions, classical piano music, ragtime, and jazz).
Read a stimulating essay about
Music Education in the 21st Century