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Watch: CCM alum Timothy O'Neill on AI's future influence on classical music

Presented as part of 'CCM Speaks,' led by the UC Alumni Association

headshot of Rebecca Butts By Rebecca Butts
3 minute read June 14, 2024

Watch the first alumni guest lecture presented as part of CCM Speaks, a new series led by the UC Alumni Association.

In the first installment of CCM Speaks, UC College-Conservatory of Music alum Timothy O'Neill (BM '03, MM '04, MS '06) presents "A New Renaissance: AI's Future Influence on Classical Music."

O'Neill weaves together a unique blend of high-level expertise and decades of experience in the tech and music sectors. He is a Senior Director of Engineering & Data Science for a public software company where he manages approximately 150 technical personnel in Product Development, co-leads Artificial Intelligence strategy for the organization, and regularly presents to internal and external business leaders on AI's impact to industry.

As a violinist, he has toured nationally and internationally and is featured on multiple recordings and ViolinMasterclass.com. He was a co-founder of NeXT Ens, one of the first electroacoustic ensembles in the U.S., with performances across the country, numerous world premieres and multiple artists' residencies. As a composer, he debuted at age 15, conducting the premiere of his first-string symphony. His works have been performed subsequently at such venues as the Kennedy Center.

Lecture summary: As Artificial General Intelligence (AGI) speeds toward reality within the next few years, it is imperative that we develop a plan to converge Human and AI contributions to preserve the unique power of humans within art and creative expression. Classical music is a soul-impacting art form that, despite centuries of historic significance, has declined in popularity over the past few decades. Without intervention, it risks further marginalization confined to museums, archives and background music for advertisements. My vision is that the current GenAI wave (and eventually AGI) poses a revitalization opportunity, a new renaissance. I will unpack four key objectives needed to realize this forward-thinking vision as well as share an original audiovisual composition for Violin and GenAI.

  • Produced by CCM Digital
  • Lighting: Nick Widmeyer 
  • Camera Operators: Ryan Dull, Liam Whyte 
  • Sound: Melissa Godoy 
  • Editors: Aislinn Moss-Buckley, Annie Thompson

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CCM's dynamic and influential alumni network includes over 14,500 artists, teachers, entrepreneurs, researchers, leaders and professionals around the world. The support of our generous alumni financially, or through the donation of your time and talent provides an exceptional experience for our current students and fosters a culture of excellence at the college. 

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Featured image at top: Pan's Fountain in CCM's Alumni Gardens. Photo/UC Marketing + Brand

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