I am pleased to announce that MuzHack members are now able to inform of their availability for workshops, which to me goes hand in hand with publishing open music hardware, as it allows makers to connect with their audience (and vice versa). It should also allow for more efficient (and enjoyable) sharing of knowledge and skills, as would-be makers get the chance to learn from the experts, and socialize with other enthusiasts.

Perhaps even more pleasing is that the first workshop profile belongs to none other than the esteemed Professor Nicolas Collins, of the Department of Sound at the the School of the Art Institute of Chicago, a well known figure in the field of hardware hacking and author of the book Handmade Electronic Music — The Art of Hardware Hacking. The latter is an oft recommended introduction to music hardware hacking, and serves as curriculum for Collins' international workshop activities. I have secured a copy for myself, and will use it as a guide in entering the world of music hardware.

In addition to being a renowned hardware hacker, Professor Collins is an accomplished electro acoustic composer whose career stretches over more than 40 years. He studied with famed composer Alvin Lucier at Wesleyan University and worked for many years with legendary electronic pioneer and John Cage associate David Tudor. He has been Visiting Artistic Director of Stichting STEIM (Amsterdam), and a DAAD composer-in-residence in Berlin. Since 1997 Collins has been editor-in-chief of the Leonardo Music Journal.