Georgia Volioti

Dr Georgia Volioti

Senior Lecturer in Music, MMus Programme Director; BMus Director of Careers and Employability
BSc Hons, ARCS (Imperial College); MMus (Lond), PhD (Lond); LGSMD(P); AFHEA
37 PA 01

Academic and research departments

Music and Media.

About

Areas of specialism

Music Performance Studies (Musicology of Performance); Music Psychology; Music Education; Qualitative and Quantitative Research Methods

Affiliations and memberships

Society for Education, Music and Psychology Research (SEMPRE) - registered member.

Advance HE – Associate Fellow (accreditation reference: PR057289).

Performance Studies Network (PSN) - registered member.

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion in Music Studies (EDIMS) - registered member.

Healthy Conservatoires network - registered member.

MusicHE/Music Mark - representative for University of Surrey Music and Media.

Royal Musical Association - registered member.

Research

Research interests

Indicators of esteem

  • Indicators of academic recognition include:

    • Recipient of a VICI award (2021);
    • Recipient of a Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences Teaching Innovation award (2018);
    • Keynote speaker at The London International Piano Symposium (Royal Academy of Music, 2018), Reflections on Classical Sound Recordings: Prospects and Challenges for Performance Studies;
    • Shortlisted for the Music & Letters Westrup Prize for my article on Grieg Landscaping the gaze in Norwegian visual art and Grieg's op. 66 folksong piano arrangements (2017).

     

    Supervision

    Postgraduate research supervision

    Teaching

    Publications

    (2025, forthcoming). Volioti, G. 'A Lament for the Earth: Performing Loneliness and Liminality with Annie Lennox's "Dido"', in T. Armstrong, G. Volioti and C. Wiley (eds.), 'On Music', Performance Research (Taylor & Francis) - [Accepted].

    (2025, forthcoming). Armstrong, T., Volioti, G. and Wiley, C. (Eds.). C. 'On Music'. Edited Issue of Performance Research (Taylor & Francis) - [Accepted].

    (2025, forthcoming). Armstrong, T., Volioti, G. and Wiley, C. 'Editorial: Introduction', in T. Armstrong, G. Volioti and C. Wiley (eds.), 'On Music', Performance Research (Taylor & Francis) - [Accepted].

    (2024). Volioti, G. and Barolsky, D. Recorded Music in Creative Practices: Mediation, Performance, Education. London & New York: Routledge. SEMPRE Studies in the Psychology of Music. ISBN 9781032040608 DOI: 10.4324/9781003190004

    (2024). Volioti, G. 'Introduction: New Approaches to Integrating the Study and Practice of Recording in Higher Music Education', in Volioti, G. and Barolsky, D. (eds.), Recorded Music in Creative Practices: Mediation, Performance, Education. London & New York Routledge. SEMPRE Studies in the Psychology of Music. DOI: 10.4324/9781003190004-1

    (2024). Volioti, G. and Williamon, A. 'Nurturing the Musical Imagination: Listening to Recordings for Self-regulated and Creative Learning', in Volioti, G. and Barolsky, D. (eds.), Recorded Music in Creative Practices: Mediation, Performance, Education. London & New York: Routledge. SEMPRE Studies in the Psychology of Music. DOI: 10.4324/9781003190004-13

    (2024). Volioti, G. 'Does UK Opera have a Future to Sing About?' The Conversation, Arts and Culture, published online 10 July 2024. https://theconversation.com/does-uk-opera-have-a-future-to-sing-about-231205 

    (2024). Volioti, G., Waddell, G. and Williamon, A. 'Expert Listeners' Evaluation of Originality and Quality of Commercial Classical Piano Recordings'. In Kempf, A., Parncutt, R., Martínez, I. C., Pérez, J. B., Glasser, S., Osborne, M., Daffern, H., Waddington-Jones, C., O’Neill, K. and Schiavio, A. (eds.), GAPS2 - Global Arts and Psychology Seminar "Creativity in music and the arts": Book of Abstracts (pp. 124-126). University of Graz, 2024. http://dx.doi.org/10.25364/554.2024.1.

    (2023). Volioti, G. Liner Notes. Grieg: Lyric Pieces. Daniel Gortler (piano). Prospero Classical (1 CD: 64.20 minutes), pp. 7-12. Martin Korn Music Production. 

    (2023). Volioti, G. 'The Written and the Sung: Grieg's Piano Ballade and the Performativity of Genre', in E. Moreda-Rodriguez and I. Stanovic (eds.), Early Sound Recordings: Academic Research and Practice (pp. 202-224). Routledge. eBook: ISBN 9781003194521 DOI:10.4324/9781003194521-14

    (2021). Volioti, G. and Williamon, A. 'Performers' Discourses on Listening to Recordings'. Research Studies in Music Education, 43/3, 481-497. https://doi.org/10.1177/1321103X19899168

    (2021). Volioti, G. Book review of 'Musicians in the Making: Pathways to Creative Performance', J. Rink, H. Gaunt and A. Williamon (eds.), Oxford University Press, 2017. Psychology of Music, 49/4, 1058-1065. https://doi.org/10.1177/0305735619889009  

    (2020). Volioti, G. 'Rethinking Classical Sound Recordings: Creativities Beyond the Score', in A. Aguilar, R. Cole, M. Pritchard & E. Clarke (eds.), Remixing Music Studies: Essays in Honour of Nicholas Cook (pp. 61-75). New York: Routledge. eBook: ISBN 9780429433405 https://doi.org/10.4324/9780429433405

    (2019). Volioti, G. 'Expressive Gesture in Grieg's Recordings of Two Op. 43 Lyric Pieces: An Exploratory Principal Components Analysis'. Music Performance Research, vol. 9, 1-30 (ISSN 7155-9219).

    (2018). Volioti, G. Book review of 'Staging History: 1780-1840', M. Burden, W. Heller, J. Hicks and E. Lockhart (eds.), Bodleian Library, University of Oxford, 2016. Nineteenth-Century Music Review, published online 2 April 2018. https://doi.org/10.1017/S1479409817000908 

    (2017). Volioti, G. 'Landscaping the Gaze in Norwegian Visual Art and Grieg's Op. 66 Folksong Piano Arrangements'. Music & Letters, 98/4, 573-600. https://doi.org/10.1093/ml/gcx114

    (2017). Volioti, G. & Williamon, A. 'Recordings as Learning and Practising Resources for Performance: Exploring Attitudes and Behaviours of Music Students and Professionals'. Musicae Scientiae, 21/4, 499-523. doi:10.1177/1029864916674048 

    (2017). Volioti, G. 'Musing on The Past: Historical Recordings as Creative Resources of Piano Performance', in Cristine MacKie (ed.), New Thoughts on Piano Performance: Research at the Interface Between Science and the Art of Piano Performance (pp. 65-86). A London International Piano Symposium Publication, 2017. ISBN: 978-164007055-4

    (2017). Volioti, G. 'Re-imagining Operatic Objects: Commentary on "Phenomena, Poiesis, and Performance Profiling: Temporal-Textual Emphasis and Creative Process Analysis in Turandot at the Metropolitan Opera"'. Empirical Musicology Review, 12/3-4, 272-276. doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.18061/emr.v12i3-4.5957

    (2017). Volioti, G. Recording review of 'Edvard Grieg, Lyric Pieces, Stephen Hough pf Hyperion 68070, 2015 (1 CD: 73 minutes)', Nineteenth-Century Music Review, 14/2, 275-277. http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/S1479409816000422

    (2016). Volioti, G. Book review of 'Expressiveness in Music Performance: Empirical Approaches across Styles and Cultures', D. Fabian, R. Timmers and E. Schubert (eds.), Oxford University Press, 2014. Nineteenth-Century Music Review, 13/2, 335-340. doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/S1479409816000173

    (2015). Volioti, G. 'Reminiscing Grieg: A Study of Technostalgia and Modulating Identities'. The Musical Quarterly, 98/3, 179-211. doi: 10.1093/musqtl/gdv005

    (2014). Volioti, G. ‘Performing National-Cultural Identity: Rhythmic Gesture as the Phenomenology of the Folk’, in Nikos Maliaras (ed.), Proceedings of the International Musicological Conference the National Element in Music, 18-20 January 2013 (pp. 91-111). Faculty of Music Studies, University of Athens. ISBN: 978-960-93-5959-7

    (2012). Volioti, G. ‘Re-inventing Grieg’s Folk Modernism: An Empirical Investigation of the Performance of the Slåtter op.72, no. 2’. The Journal of Musicological Research, 31/4, 262-296. doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/01411896.2013.720914

    (2010). Volioti, G. ‘Playing with Tradition: Weighing up Similarity and the Buoyancy of the Game’. Musicae Scientiae, 14/2, 85-114. doi:10.1177/102986491001400204 

    (2007). Volioti, G. Book review of Adam Ockelford, ‘Repetition in Music: Theoretical and Meta-theoretical Perspectives’, Ashgate (RMA Monographs), 2005. Musicae Scientiae, 11/2, 325-330. doi:10.1177/102986490701100208 

    (2007). Volioti, G. Review of 4th International CHARM Symposium, Royal Holloway, University of London, UK (12-14 April 2007), 'Methods for Analysing Recordings'. CHARM Newsletter, Issue 3 (2007), 5-8.

     

    Peer-reviewed conference research papers (and invited contributions):

    (2025). Volioti, G. 'Evaluating Originality in Classical Performance: An Exploratory Investigation with Implications for Performers' Training'. (Abstract)     Royal Holloway, University of London, Music Department Research Seminar Series, 25 March 2025. [invited research seminar] 

    (2023). Volioti, G., Waddell, G. and Williamon, A. 'Exploring Expert Listeners' Evaluation of Originality and Quality of Commercial Classical Piano Recordings'. GAPS2 - Global Arts and Psychology Seminar "Creativity in Music and the Arts", York, Graz, La Plata and Melbourne, 14-16 September 2023. [conference research paper]

    (2023). Volioti, G., Waddell, G. and Williamon, A. 'Exploring Expert Listeners' Evaluation of Originality and Quality of Commercial Classical Piano Recordings'. International Symposium on Performance Science (ISPS 2023), Medical University of Warsaw, Poland, 17-20 August 2023. [conference research paper]

    (2023). Volioti, G. 'In Conversation with Artist in Residence Dr Anna Scott on Performing Recordings: Recording Performances', Institute of Advanced Studies, University of Surrey, 3 March 2023 (YouTube video, conversation starts @ 1:08:46) [public live-streamed seminar]. 

    (2022). Volioti, G. 'On and Off the Record: Reimagining Grieg's Ballade from Historical Recordings'. Grieg in Performance International Research Seminar 2022, University of Bergen, 2-3 September 2022. [conference research paper, by invitation]

    (2022). Volioti, G., McGuinness, S., Neumann, J. and Behan, A. 'Post-pandemic Performance: A Retrospective Prospective Round-table Discussion'. Sixth International Performance Studies Network Conference, University of Surrey, 30 June - 3 July 2022. [conference panel speaker]

    (2022). Volioti, G. 'Taking the Leap: Music Students’ Transitions into Professional Placement as a Route to Career Building'. Surrey ExciTes Conference, University of Surrey, 25 April 2022. [conference research paper]

    (2022). Volioti, G. 'Roundtable: Early Recordings Research and Future directions'. Interpreting Early Recordings: Critical and Contextual Perspectives. University of Glasgow, 6 January 2022. [invited panel speaker]

    (2021). Volioti, G. 'Roundtable'. Early Recordings: Impacts of a Transformative Technology, hosted online by Cardiff University and Bern University of the Arts, 21 July 2021. [invited panel chair and speaker]

    (2020). Volioti, G. 'Learning with Recordings as Cultural Capability: Towards Developing Listening Pedagogies'. Bootleg Opera and Pirate Queens, Bern University of the Arts, 2-4 September 2020. [conference research paper]

    (2019). Volioti, G. Early Recordings: Past Performing Practices in Contemporary Research, Pushkin House, London, 22 June 2019. [invited panel chair]

    (2018). Volioti, G. 'Reflections on Classical Sound Recordings: Prospects and Challenges for Performance Studies'. The London International Piano Symposium. Royal Academy of Music, 27-29 October 2018. [keynote speaker]

    (2018). Volioti, G. Performance Studies Network Fifth International Conference. Norwegian Academy of Music, Oslo, 5-8 July 2018. [conference research paper]

    (2018). Volioti, G. Seeing and Hearing the Beyond: Art, Music, and Mysticism in the Long Nineteenth Century. Annual Conference of the Association of Art History. London, 5-7 April 2018. [conference research paper]

    (2018). Volioti, G. and Williamon, A. 'Unlocking the Anxiety of Influence: What Performers' Discourses Reveal about Listening to Recordings'. The Listening Experience Database Project: Methodologies, Identities, Histories. The Open University, Milton Keynes, 6-7 March 2018. [conference research paper] 

    (2017). Volioti, G. ‘Narrativity in Grieg’s Ballade Revisited: The Nineteenth-Century Pianist as Orator’, Department of Music and Media, Music Research Seminar Series, University of Surrey, 11 October 2017. [research seminar]

    (2017). Tenth Biennial International Conference on Music Since 1900 and Surrey Music Analysis Conference (ICMSN/SurreyMAC), University of Surrey, Guildford, 11-14 September 2017. [Member of conference committee and panel chair for sessions on 'Film & Music' (12 Sept. 2017), and 'Music & France' (14 Sept. 2017)]  

    (2015). Volioti, G. and Williamon, A. 'Listening to Recordings: Perspectives on Practitioners' Habits'. The Listening Experience Database Project, Listening to Music: People, Practices and Experiences, Royal College of Music, London, 24-25 October 2015. [conference research paper]

    (2015). Volioti, G. 'Three Levels of Vocality in Grieg's Piano Recordings'. PERFORMA'15, International Conference on Musical Performance, University of Aveiro, Portugal, 11-13 June 2015. [conference research paper]

    (2015). Volioti, G. 'Working with Piano Rolls: A Musicologist's Perspective', presented as part of my collaborative research seminar 'Rollin' On: Pianola Grooves Uncovered', Music Research Seminar Series, School of Arts, PATS Studio 1, University of Surrey, 25 February 2015. [Research presentation linked to public exhibition, 'The Player-Piano and Pianola', part of The Guildford International Music Festival 2015] 

    (2014). Volioti, G. 'Who Cares What You Listen: Musical Recordings as Cultural Products of Creativity', invited by Prof. Paul Sowden (Department of Psychology) and presented at the ILLUME Research Seminar Series, Faculty of Arts and Human Sciences, University of Surrey, 17 July 2014. [invited research presentation]

    (2014). Volioti, G. Eighteenth Biennial Conference on Nineteenth-Century Music, University of Toronto, Canada, 18-20 June 2014. [conference research paper]

    (2014). Volioti, G. 'Performing Memory and Nostalgia with Grieg's Historical Piano Recordings', Music Research Seminar Series, School of Arts, University of Surrey, 22 January 2014. [research seminar]

    (2013). Volioti, G. ‘Historical Recordings and Piano Performance’. The London International Piano Symposium, Royal College of Music, London, 8-10 February 2013 (Recipient of Music & Letters Trust Award). [conference research paper]

    (2013). Volioti, G. 'Performing Norwegian National-Cultural Identity: Rhythmic Gesture as the Phenomenology of the Folk'. International Musicological Conference, The National Element in Music, University of Athens, Greece, 18-20 January 2013. [conference research paper]

    (2011). Volioti, G. 'Between Tradition and Innovation - Whose Style Is It Anyway? An Empirical Investigation of the Performance Practice of Grieg's Slatter'. International Performance Studies Conference, PERFORMA'11, University of Aveiro, Portugal, 19-21 May 2011. [conference research paper]

     

    Public engagement & knowledge exchange:

    Conferences organised and hosted at the University of Surrey:

    (2025). Co-organiser and conference review committee member of Broadening Music Performance: New Approaches and Possibilities for Higher Music Education. University of Surrey, 26-27 June 2025. 

    (2022). Co-organiser (one of three) and review committee member of the Sixth International Performance Studies Network Conference. University of Surrey, 30 June - 3 July 2022. 

    (2019). Lead organiser and committee member of two-day International Research Forum New Takes on Recorded Music: Performance, Creativity, Technology, University of Surrey, 5-6 September 2019. Event supported by: The Music & Letters Trust (external funder), Performance Studies Network, and Department of Music & Media University of Surrey.

    Keynote address:

    (2018). 'Reflections on Classical Sound Recordings: Prospects and Challenges for Performance Studies'. The London International Piano Symposium, Royal Academy of Music, 27-29 October 2018.

    Public exhibition:

    (2015). 'The Player-Piano and Pianola'. A public exhibition hosted in association with The Guildford International Music Festival 2015. The Lewis Elton Gallery, University of Surrey, 9-18 March 2015. Exhibition co-organised and co-presented by Dr. Georgia Volioti and Professor Clive Williamson. Artefacts and instruments curated by Denis Hall and Rex Lawson. This exhibition brought to the public the sound of the reproducing piano and pianola alongside rare and unseen artefacts of early recording technologies (e.g., concert reviews and archival photographic material of the recording process). The event was complemented by a research seminar (on 25th February 2015, PATS 1, 4-6 pm), titled Rollin’ On: Piano(la) Groves Uncovered, which examined how pianola and reproducing piano rolls can shed light into the performance practices of renowned historical pianists, including Rachmaninoff, Stravinsky, Debussy, and Grieg.

    Public pre-performance talks:

    (2018). Pre-performance talk for Glyndebourne on Tour 2018. Invited by Beatrice Carey, Glyndebourne Education Department. New Victoria Theatre, Woking, 20 November 2018.

    (2014). 'Verdi's La Traviata: A Pre-Performance Talk of Tom Cairns' Production', by invitation of Glyndebourne's dramaturg Cori Ellison for Glyndebourne Tour 2014, New Victoria Theatre, Woking, 29 October 2014.