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McLean Macionis

Assistant Professor

McLean Macionis is a forward-thinking artist, producer, and educator working at the intersection of sound art, technology, and contemplative practice. Under the moniker Alighted, he creates electronic and electroacoustic music that blends minimalist sensibilities with sounds drawn from the natural world. His teaching areas include acoustic ecology; audio engineering (including mixing and mastering); contemplative practice; music production and technology; and recording.

Before joining the faculty at SUNY Plattsburgh, McLean was a professor of the practice at Middlebury College (Vermont), teaching courses in electronic music and production. He holds an M.F.A. in music technology from California Institute of the Arts (CalArts), where he later taught mechatronic sound art and interface design. His work includes published research for the International Conference on New Interfaces for Musical Expression (NIME), and performances with the CalArts Machine Orchestra at REDCAT in Los Angeles.

Before relocating to the Adirondacks, McLean spent more than a decade in Los Angeles composing for network television, scoring franchises such as Top Chef, The Real Housewives, and Paris In Love. He now operates Garden Broom Recordings from his studio in upstate New York.

His original music and remixes have been featured by BBC Radio 6, Los Angeles Magazine, LA Weekly, NTS, Dublab, Sofar Sounds, Dirtybird Radio, KCRW, Beatportal, Kompakt, Palette Recordings, A Closer Listen, Igloo Magazine, B’SPOQUE Magazine, ADSR Collective, Seven Days, Addison Independent, and more.

Performance highlights include Walt Disney Concert Hall, REDCAT, Troubadour, Vibiana, Sofar Sounds Listening Room, Plex Arts Festival, Mechanic’s Hall, Mahaney Arts Center Dance Theatre, The Sharon Disney Lund Theater, Wild Beast Music Pavilion, Roy O. Disney Hall, Brand Library, and CalArts Expo.

  • Education
    • M.F.A. — Music Technology, California Institute of the Arts
    • B.A. — Diplomacy and World Affairs, Occidental College
  • Teaching Areas
    • Acoustic ecology
    • Audio engineering
    • Contemplative practices
    • Music production
    • Music technology
    • Recording
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