School of Humanities and Sciences
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Katherine Whatley
Ph.D. Student in Japanese, admitted Autumn 2019
Current Research and Scholarly InterestsMy research examines the relationship between the written and the spoken word in Classical Japan. I take this relationship as the starting place and explore the role of music in Classical Japan through looking at words-as-song. From this vantage point, I argue that music was a primary mode of communication amongst people (especially women) and their surroundings—interpersonal, international, and inter-environmental. I am also a composer and koto performer working on a dissertation composition.
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Spark Wu
Master of Arts Student in Music, admitted Autumn 2023
BioSpark皇毅, a dynamic and talented rapper, singer, and producer from Taiwan, embarked on his musical journey at the tender age of 15, working as a freelance contract producer. His early start in the industry allowed him to hone a diverse set of skills, including music production, sound effects creation, film scoring, singing, and rapping.
In 2016, at just 16 years old, Spark demonstrated his entrepreneurial spirit by establishing ROLE PRODUCTION, a company he founded with the accumulated earnings from his collaborations with friends on various projects like short films, advertisements, and commercials.
His artistic breakthrough came in 2020 with the release of his debut album, "Fairy Fakeass Tale," under the esteemed HIM International Music record label. This album stood out for its innovative use of Grimms' Fairy Tales as allegories to critique societal appearances; it delved into the deceptive veneer of beauty that masks underlying corruption, violence, and sexuality, mirroring the dark themes prevalent in these classic tales.
The album's unique narrative approach, coupled with collaborations with renowned artists such as Karencici and F.I.R., quickly propelled "Fairy Fakeass Tale" to popularity. This success opened doors for Spark, leading to numerous performance opportunities across Taiwan.
Furthering his commitment to his craft, Spark graduated from the University of Michigan in 2023 with a Bachelor's degree in Performing Arts Technology. He is currently furthering his academic pursuits with a Master’s degree at Stanford University, continuing to blend his artistic talents with academic excellence.
