About Wendelin

Short Bio

Wendelin Bitzan is a musician, researcher in music, and digital content creator. He majored in piano, music education, sound engineering, and music theory, graduated from the Berlin University of the Arts, and holds a PhD in musicology from the Vienna University of Music and Performing Arts. After teaching at music universities in Berlin, Rostock, and Detmold, he currently works as a lecturer in music theory at Robert Schumann Hochschule Düsseldorf and as a visiting professor at Hochschule für Musik Dresden. Wendelin’s work is published in periodicals, edited volumes, and online journals, preferably in open access or as open educational resources. He also works as a freelance writer and composer and regularly appears as a collaborative pianist, vocal accompanist, and performer of his own compositions. He advocates for the interests of freelance musicians in professional associations and public media.

Curriculum vitae (PDF)
Extended biography (PDF)
List of publications (PDF)

Private Life

I live in a multi-ethnic district of Berlin with my partner and our two children. I do not own a motor vehicle. My favourite colour is dark blue, and I like to drink orange juice, black coffee, Spanish red wine, and Scotch whisky. My preferred playwrights are Anton Chekhov, Henrik Ibsen, and Yasmina Reza. As a seventh-grader, I was awarded the third prize in the table tennis school championship. I can neither play the guitar nor juggle, and I am a mediocre cook at best. Anyway, I once defeated John Cage in a game of chess in a dream.

Timeline

2024 – Visiting professor in music theory at the Dresden College of Music
2024 – Managing director of Tonkünstlerverband Berlin, association of professional musicians
2023 – Fellowship for teaching innovation from the Digital University North Rhine-Westphalia
2022 – Visiting professor at TU Dortmund University, Department of Music and Musicology
2019 – PhD graduation at the Vienna University of Music and Performing Arts
2018 – Lecturer at the Robert Schumann Hochschule Düsseldorf, Institute of Musicology
2014 – Adjunct teacher at the Humboldt University of Berlin, Department of Musicology
2013 – Enrolment in the musicological PhD program of Vienna Music University
2013 – Award in the composition competition of the Society for Music Theory (GMTH)
2012 – Award in the essay competition of the Society for Music Theory (GMTH)
2011 – Guest lecturer at the Berlin University of the Arts, Faculty of Music
2010 – Adjunct teacher at the Berlin University of the Arts, Rostock University of Music and Drama, and Detmold University of Music
2010 – Graduation with diploma degrees in music theory and sound engineering
2009 – Exchange studies at the Vienna University of Music and Performing Arts
2009 – Graduation with a degree in music education, majoring in piano performance
2005 – Enrolment at the Berlin University of the Arts, College of Music
2003 – Enrolment at the Detmold University of Music
2002 – A-level exams, Porta Westfalica Municipal High School
1982 – Born in Geseke, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany