portfolio overview
the smol prof (Claire Marie Lim, artist project "dolltr!ck") is an educator, musician, and creative technologist whose research bridges electronic music performance, music technology, and inclusive student-centered pedagogy. Her work explores the intersection of creative practice, educational innovation, and community empowerment, with a focus on working with underrepresented groups and mentoring emerging voices in contemporary music.
practice-based research
the smol prof engages in artistic research through her electronic performance work, DJ sets, production techniques, and technology-based collaborations. Her projects investigate how live digital tools, performance systems, and hybrid workflows can foster expressive and culturally relevant experiences for today’s music learners and creators.
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Projects and activities include:
Live Electronic Performance + Breakdown Video Series
the smol prof creates hybrid artistic-pedagogical videos, featuring breakdowns of electronic performance techniques, including clip launching, live effects processing, looping, and hybrid synth workflows. These support student learning and peer teaching in electronic music education.
Multimedia AV Performances as dolltr!ck
Under her artist project "dolltr!ck", the smol prof creates genre-fluid live electronic performance sets that explore identity, digital culture, and emotional storytelling through performance, audio-reactive visuals, and original music writing and production.
Playback and Touring Technology Work
Under her professional name "Claire Marie Lim", the smol prof contributes to the contemporary performance world as a playback technician and touring artist, collaborating with Grammy-winning and independent acts to design and operate technical performance systems.
pedagogical innovation
the smol prof’s teaching research focuses on creating welcoming, accessible, and innovative educational spaces for students, particularly women, non-binary individuals, and learners from underrepresented backgrounds in music tech, such as students of Asian descent in the United States. Her pedagogy focuses on designing environments where students and educator colleagues feel empowered, seen, and equipped to thrive as contemporary music-makers.
​Instructional design includes:
Inclusive Curricula for Music and Creative Technology Topics
the smol prof develops courses that intentionally uplift underrepresented voices in music technology and performance, such as "Women in Electronic Music Performance Studies" and "Electronic Production Techniques for Vocalists". These feature a wide range of artists, genres, and practices, and emphasize cultural relevance, identity, and access. These classes consistently attract diverse student cohorts and foster strong community-based learning.
Project-Based Learning &
Real-World Tools
Hands-on approaches can help students apply theory through practice in contemporary music settings. Whether through remixing exercises, live performance builds, or aural skills modules grounded in popular music, the smol prof encourages students to explore their artistic voices using industry-standard platforms like Ableton Live, Logic Pro, MainStage, Pro Tools, and more. Assignments are scaffolded to support creative risk-taking and technical confidence.
Resource Development & Educator Support
Committed to supporting fellow educators in similar and adjacent fields, the smol prof creates resources that extend beyond the classroom. Her tutorials and articles offer guided breakdowns of performance workflows, with public-facing materials (e.g. videos shared via YouTube, professional development sessions via Zoom, conference presentations) that serve as tools for learning, mentorship, and ongoing dialogue across the music education community.
industry involvement
the smol prof engages in ongoing professional growth and academic discourse, frequently presenting and performing at renowned audio and music industry events and conferences. Her work connects formal/informal education, industry, and research, reflecting a commitment to both contemporary relevance and scholarly contribution.
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Scholarly engagement includes:
Professional Training &
Faculty Development
the smol prof regularly participates in programs that strengthen her teaching and technical expertise. She is part of the Ableton Certified Trainer network, a global community of expert educators, and has professional training in playback engineering and live show design with Laura Escudé's Electronic Creatives. She is an alum of Berklee's Equity Partners faculty development initiative, which emphasizes inclusive pedagogical practices.
Conference Presentations & Public Scholarship
the smol prof shares her research and teaching practices through public talks, guest workshops, and conference appearances. She has presented at events including SXSW, the NAMM Show, Audio Engineering Society conventions, SoundGirls conferences, and Women in Music community meetups, often focusing on DEI in electronic music education, creative workflow design, and artist development for emerging performers.
Academic Publications & Research Citations
the smol prof's professional and artistic work is cited in publications that explore music technology and gender, including "Push: Software Design and the Cultural Politics of Music Production" by Dr. Mike D’Errico (cited as dolltr!ck) and "Ageing and Contemporary Female Musicians" by Dr. Abigail Gardner (cited as Claire Marie Lim). These reflect her impact at the intersection of creative technology, identity, and education.