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Dr. John Vance Gilbert is widely regarded as a visionary in reshaping performing arts education at the collegiate level by integrating technology to enhance all facets of artistic creation. Appointed in 1968, he was tasked with designing the foundational structure and documents for the Department of Music and Performing Arts at New York University's Steinhardt School. Over the course of five decades, he pioneered innovative programs, most notably an experimental multimedia workshop called IMPACT. Dr. Gilbert was a trailblazer in the 1990s, being the first to bring a music department online. He led efforts in remote arts collaboration, significantly contributing to the groundbreaking Internet2 production Songs of Sorrow, Songs of Hope-an interactive performance between the University of California at Irvine and NYU. This work was the first artistic response to the tragic 9/11 attacks on the World Trade Center, showcasing his influence in both the technological and emotional dimensions of the arts.