I’m Can Bilir, a composer-researcher and educator whose work connects contemporary composition with acoustic ecology, sound studies, and interdisciplinary humanities. Trained at Cornell in Composition & Musicology, work with DAW, creative coding, as well as acoustic instruments. I explore how sound shapes environments and communities—bringing together creative research, music theory, and critical inquiry. My music has advanced harmonies and melodies, and I able to compose for many genres and styles, world music instruments for live performances, film, and game. Alongside my composition practice, I teach, mentor, and conduct international academic and artistic projects, including fellowships and invited research across Oxford, Michigan, Chulalongkorn University, and my earlier Cornell teaching roles. My current research and residency work focuses on Kafka centenary themes and transformative communities, and I continue to publish and develop commissioned, cross-media sound work.

Can Bilir

I’m Can Bilir, a composer-researcher and educator whose work connects contemporary composition with acoustic ecology, sound studies, and interdisciplinary humanities. Trained at Cornell in Composition & Musicology, work with DAW, creative coding, as well as acoustic instruments. I explore how sound shapes environments and communities—bringing together creative research, music theory, and critical inquiry. My music has advanced harmonies and melodies, and I able to compose for many genres and styles, world music instruments for live performances, film, and game. Alongside my composition practice, I teach, mentor, and conduct international academic and artistic projects, including fellowships and invited research across Oxford, Michigan, Chulalongkorn University, and my earlier Cornell teaching roles. My current research and residency work focuses on Kafka centenary themes and transformative communities, and I continue to publish and develop commissioned, cross-media sound work.

Available to hire

I’m Can Bilir, a composer-researcher and educator whose work connects contemporary composition with acoustic ecology, sound studies, and interdisciplinary humanities. Trained at Cornell in Composition & Musicology, work with DAW, creative coding, as well as acoustic instruments. I explore how sound shapes environments and communities—bringing together creative research, music theory, and critical inquiry.

My music has advanced harmonies and melodies, and I able to compose for many genres and styles, world music instruments for live performances, film, and game.

Alongside my composition practice, I teach, mentor, and conduct international academic and artistic projects, including fellowships and invited research across Oxford, Michigan, Chulalongkorn University, and my earlier Cornell teaching roles. My current research and residency work focuses on Kafka centenary themes and transformative communities, and I continue to publish and develop commissioned, cross-media sound work.

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Work Experience

Research Associate at University of Michigan, Center for Southeast Asian Studies
January 1, 2023 - Present
Research associate contributing to scholarly work connected to music, sound, and regional studies within the Center for Southeast Asian Studies.
Albi Rosenthal Bodleian Fellow, Composer in Residence & Researcher (Kafka centenary / transformative communities project) at University of Oxford; Bodleian Libraries; Wadham College; Oxford International Song Festival
January 1, 2023 - Present
Composer-in-residence and researcher working on Kafka centenary themes and transformative communities, collaborating with Bodleian Libraries, Wadham College, and the Oxford International Song Festival. The role supports interdisciplinary creative research and public-facing scholarship aligned with sound studies and literature/sound inquiry.
Second Century Fund Postdoctoral Fellow, Digital Arts at Chulalongkorn University
January 1, 2022 - January 1, 2023
Postdoctoral fellowship focused on digital arts, audio technologies, acoustic ecologies, and soundscape analysis, linking creative practice with methods from acoustic ecology and sound studies.
Faculty Member & Instructor of Record at Bilkent University
January 1, 2019 - January 1, 2021
Taught orchestration and courses in acoustic/electroacoustic composition. Also taught or advised on film/game scoring and DAWs, supporting student development in contemporary composition and practical audio production skills.
Lecturer & Graduate Teaching Instructor; Assistant conductor and contemporary ensemble director at Cornell University
January 1, 2015 - January 1, 2019
Taught stylistic composition, ear training, computer music, and theory; served as assistant conductor and contemporary ensemble director in support of performance and contemporary repertoire.

Education

DMA, Composition & Musicology at Cornell University
January 1, 2015 - January 1, 2019
Ivy Plus Exchange Doctoral Scholar at Harvard University
January 1, 2017 - January 1, 2018
MFA, MM/BM at Cornell & Bilkent University
January 11, 2030 - August 28, 2026
MFA at Cornell University
January 11, 2030 - August 28, 2026
MM/BM at Bilkent University
January 11, 2030 - August 28, 2026

Qualifications

Add your qualifications or awards here.

Industry Experience

Education, Media & Entertainment, Professional Services, Non-Profit Organization