Learning a musical instrument is a complex process involving years of practice and feedback. However, dropout rates in music programs, particularly among violin students, remain high due to socio-economic barriers and the challenge of mastering the instrument. My dissertation explores the feasibility of accelerating learning and leveraging technology in music education, with a focus on bowed string instruments, specifically the violin. My research identifies workflow gaps and challenges for the stakeholders, aiming to address not only the improvement of learning outcomes but also the provision of opportunities for socioeconomically challenged students. Three key areas are emphasized: designing user studies and creating a comprehensive violin dataset, developing tools and deep learning algorithms for accurate performance assessment, and crafting a practice platform for student feedback. These efforts seek to democratize access to quality music education and address dropout rates in music programs.
Snehesh Shrestha is a Ph.D. candidate at the University of Maryland College Park, working with Dr. Cornelia Fermüller (UMIACS), Prof. Yiannis Aloimonos (Computer Science), Dr. Ge Gao (Information Studies), and Dr. Irina Muresanu (School of Music). Snehesh also works at NIST as a visiting researcher, where he is involved in developing new standards for human-robot interaction.
His research is at the intersection of robotics, artificial intelligence, human factors, and music education. He aims to build rich and intuitive experiences that can empower people by filling in gaps where people cannot and amplifying their abilities where they can. Currently, Snehesh is working on developing technologies for AI-empowered violin education.