Meet our team
Professors
Liliana Araújo (she/her)
Assistant Professor
Liliana Araújo is an academic, researcher and chartered psychologist focusing on performance psychology and performance science. Her research focuses on performer's health and wellbeing, and performance enhancement and culture change. She is Assistant Professor of Applied Performance Sciences at Schulich School of Music of McGill University.
Full bio here // liliana.araujo@mcgill.ca
Andrea Creech (she/her)
Professor
Andrea’s research has covered a wide range of issues in formal and informal music education contexts, including interpersonal dynamics in instrumental learning and teaching, informal learning in school music, inclusion, and music for positive youth development. Her recent research has focused on intergenerational and lifelong music-making in community contexts, as well as the pedagogies and facilitation approaches that can support positive musical experience and lifelong learning.
Full bio here // andrea.creech@mcgill.ca
Isabelle Cossette (she/her)
Associate Professor
Isabelle Cossette is a former flute performer and a researcher in performance science specialized in respiratory physiology and instrumental pedagogy. She is an Associate Professor of Music Education and Performance Science at the Schulich School of Music of McGill University.
Full bio here // isabelle.cossette1@mcgill.ca
John Mac Master (he/him)
Associate Professor
Tenor John Mac Master has enjoyed a 40+ year career singing the most dramatic tenor roles in opera and concert all over the world. His teaching and research are centered on the art and science of voice pedagogy, health and wellness (onstage and off!), and the evolution of voice teaching in universities and conservatoires.
Full bio here // john.macmaster@mcgill.ca
Current students
Matthew Chan (he/him)
PhD student, Applied Performance Sciences
Canadian violist Matthew Chan is an active researcher, educator, and performer. His research focuses on motivational climate, school culture, and rest and recovery in music performance training. Equally at ease in orchestral, chamber, and solo settings, he has performed as a soloist with multiple orchestras and regularly freelances in Québec and Ontario. Matthew earned his MMus in Viola Performance from McGill University, and BMusPerf in Viola Performance with a minor in French Studies from the University of Toronto.
Full bio here // matthew.chan3@mail.mcgill.ca
Caroline Holden (she/her)
PhD candidate, Applied Performance Sciences
Caroline Holden (she/her) is a researcher and educator currently pursuing a PhD in Applied Performance Sciences at McGill University’s Schulich School of Music. With a background in voice performance and psychology, her research explores the cognitive mechanisms of rumination and its impact on music student’s well-being.
Full bio here // caroline.holden@mail.mcgill.ca
Theodore Lysyk (he/him)
PhD student, Applied Performance Sciences
Theodore Lysyk is a PhD student whose research interests are injury prevention and musician wellness for percussionists. He holds a Bachelor of Music from University of Lethbridge, and a Master of Music degree from McGill University, both in percussion performance. Theodore’s practical experience informs a pragmatic approach to the prevention of injuries that are associated with four-mallet technique. Beyond research, he performs around Montreal and through the Schulich School of Music as an orchestral musician, drumset player, and tabla soloist, and also has a dedicated routine to physical fitness through powerlifting and cycling.
Full bio here // theodore.lysyk@mail.mcgill.ca
Maitreyi Muralidharan (they/them)
PhD student, Applied Performance Sciences
Maitreyi Muralidharan (they/them) is an Indian-American violinist currently based in Montreal. They are the co-founder of the Windwood Music Festival and the violinist in the violin-piano ensemble, Duo Perdendosi. Maitreyi is a Ph.D. student in Applied Performance Science at McGill University, where they are studying emotional embodiment and how it affects the performer's experience of playing an instrument.
Full bio here // maitreyi.muralidharan@mail.mcgill.ca
Nikki Puchkov (she/her)
PhD student, Applied Performance Sciences
Nikki Puchkov is an RCM-certified teacher who has been teaching piano, music theory, history, and harmony since 2013. She holds an MSc in Performance Science from the Royal College of Music and a BMus in Music Education (Piano), with minors in Historical Keyboard and History from the University of Toronto. Nikki employs a variety of pedagogical approaches—including Kodály, Orff, Dalcroze, and Suzuki—to accommodate diverse learning styles and enhance the inclusivity of music education. Her research centres on accessible music notation, inclusive pedagogy for neurodivergent learners, and the integration and effects of technological advances on fostering the musical development of students with special educational needs.
Full bio here // nikole.puchkov@mail.mcgill.ca
Raphael Salonga (he/him)
PhD student, Applied Performance Sciences
Raphael Salonga began his musical studies at Philippine Research of Developing Instrumental Soloists, a program by the St. Scholastica’s College Manila, Philippines, with the Manila Symphony Orchestra. He was eventually invited to be one of the first few young musicians to perform with Manila Symphony Orchestra whilst being a member of the Orchestra’s Academy program. Raphael received his Bachelor of Music Performance with Honours in 2021, and Master of Music Performance in 2023 from the University of Toronto. His areas of research are collaborative learning, behaviours, and feedback in student-led environments. 
Full bio here // raphael.salonga@mail.mcgill.ca
Paul Schulz-Courtemanche (he/him)
PhD student, Applied Performance Sciences
Former student collaborators
Christopher Keach (he/him)
DMus, Performance Studies (Trumpet)
Christopher Keach is a Montreal-based professional musician, educator, and researcher. He completed his DMus degree in Trumpet Performance at McGill University, where he also received his MMus in Trumpet Performance. Christopher also holds a B.M. in Trumpet Performance and Bachelor's of Music Education from The Crane School of Music at SUNY Potsdam. His research focuses on practice techniques and their effect on long-term retention and memory. 
Full bio here // christopher.keach@mcgill.ca
Theodora Nestorova (she/her)
PhD, Interdisciplinary Studies/Applied Performance Sciences
Bulgarian-British-American soprano, researcher, and teacher Theodora Ivanova Nestorova was a Ph.D. Candidate (Interdisciplinary Studies) at McGill University’s Schulich School of Music. A multifaceted vocalist, educator, and clinician, Theodora is a registered vocologist passionate about performance science and performing arts medicine. 
Full bio here // theodora.nestorova@mcgill.ca
Kyle Zavitz (he/him)
Post-doctoral Researcher
Music educator and jazz pianist Kyle Zavitz is a Postdoctoral Researcher at the Schulich School of Music, McGill University in the area of Performance Science. His research interests center around education sociology and higher music education pedagogy.
Full bio here // kyle.zavitz@mcgill.ca