Creative Projects
Creative endeavors — in particular, creative writing, music, and visual art — have always been an important part of my life. Although my career in academia has left me little time to pursue these interests over the past three decades, I have never left them behind completely. Instead, I have actively sought out and welcomed artistic collaborations in which my knowledge of Russian language and literature have played an integral part.
Going forward, I have plans to indulge my love of creative writing and author at least three original books: a young adult novel, an historical novel, and a personal memoir. I also hope to continue writing poems in both English and Russian.
Below are descriptions of my previous collaborative creative projects; I am always looking for exciting new opportunities of a similar kind, so if you have something in mind, please reach out!
Translator, Four Poems of Marina Tsvetaeva, for the CD The Cave of Wondrous Voice by composer Mark Abel
A collaboration with the California-based classical composer, who used my translations of four poems by Tsvetaeva (“The Sibyl,” “Two Trees,” “O Sorrow Floods My Eyes!,” “God Bent Under”) for the lyrics of the first-ever solo musical setting of Tsvetaeva's poetry in English, scored for soprano with piano and English horn accompaniment
(Delos record label release May 1, 2020)
Russian Romantics: A Recital of Sergei Rachmaninov's Art Songs, and a Conversation about their Poetic, Pedagogical, and Performance Contexts
On-stage commentary during a live performance of Rachmaninov's art songs, together with pianist Nikolai Choubine and soprano Laurel Thomas; song settings included poems by well-known poets (Pushkin, Balmont) along with some much less known, including three female poets (Davidova, Beketova, Galina)
(April 16, 2014)
Translator and On-Stage Reader, Picturing Rachmaninov: Music, Poetry, and Painting in Concert
On-stage readings of the original Russian versions and my new English translations of eight Russian poems, with projected images of paintings and Rachmaninoff’s Etudes-Tableaux Op. 39 performed by pianist Stephen B. Cook
(March 18, 2010)
Now published in a multi-media, interactive format!
Guest Curator, Darker Shades of Red: Official Soviet Propaganda from the Cold War
An exhibit at the Snite Museum of Art, University of Notre Dame: I researched and wrote exhibit labels and informational panels and assisted with the design of the exhibition; I also led several educational tours for students and faculty
(September 19-November 14, 2010)