We are excited to welcome Barbara Nerness to the TIMARA department. Barbara will be serving as a Visiting Assistant Professor for the 2026-2027 academic year.
Barbara is an artist and researcher with experience working in music composition, live performance, video, and cognitive science. Barbara received her PhD and Doctoral Certificate in Composition from Stanford’s Center for Computer Research in Music and Acoustics (CCRMA). Prior to joining the TIMARA faculty, Barbara taught Technology and Applied Composition at the San Francisco Conservatory of Music.
Barbara’s research primarily focuses on brain dynamics measured by EEG during music improvisation. Her interest in the connection between the body and sound has also become a frequent source of artistic inspiration. Her recent works, including “BIOMETRICKS,” a solo show and collection of interactive installations created for the 2025-26 Sound Residency program at Audium Theater in San Francisco, have incorporated biosignals such as heartbeat, breath, and brainwaves as sound sources. Barbara’s use of biometric signals in both her solo and collaborative work often relates to her broader investigation of the body, surveillance, and technological subversion.
Improvisation is a key feature of Barbara’s artistic practice and teaching style.
“I’m very into improvisation myself. In the classroom, I like to leave open space in the moment to go where interests are, and go with the feeling,” Barbara said. “As much as I can, I try to be present to what people are asking and go in that. I feel like it makes it a bit more engaging.”
Highlights of her first few weeks at Oberlin have included working with her students and experiencing the great Midwestern outdoors.
“[The students] are all super eager and curious. I feel like it makes my job very easy. I really love the two classes I’m teaching, so it’s great to have it feel mutual,” Barbara said. “I also love the landscape and the area with the crickets and all that green. I’m coming from the West Coast where it’s very dry. It’s much more vibrant and lush here.”
With the year just getting started, Barbara is excited to have a front row seat as her students bring their creative pursuits to life.
“I’m looking forward to seeing everyone’s concerts and recitals. I feel like I’m already getting glimpses of what people are working on, and I really love being able to see the whole process,” Barbara said.
We are grateful to have Barbara joining the department this year. We look forward to all the knowledge, creativity, and support she will continue to bring to the TIMARA community.
Learn more about Barbara and her projects on her website: https://www.barbaranerness.com/
