Tim Saeed is an associate professor in the Department of Music, Theater, Dance & Technology. He holds degrees in the areas of music theory and piano performance.
At VTSU, Tim teaches undergraduate music theory and musicianship courses, music history, and class piano. As a music theorist, his research interests focus on theories of expressive performance and analysis, specifically accent and rhythm as a basis for performance. As a piano instructor, he emphasizes healthy techniques to develop natural ability. In more recent years, Tim has also become interested in interdisciplinary analyses such as music and literature, music and film, and music and visual arts. Apart from his academic pursuits, Tim is a performing pianist dedicated to the music of J. S. Bach, Mozart, Chopin, Liszt, and Brahms.
Tim encourages all his students to explore traditions, knowledge, and experiences brought forth by various composers and performers. He approaches the study of music history as a means to develop a deeper understanding of all music, past and present. Tim also believes that knowledge of music fundamentals is one of the stages of every musician’s journey toward the development of their own voice in music. He aims to help his students see and experience music as an ongoing live performance—structured, organized, and yet free and expanding.