“Footprint,” is the latest brainchild of Cory Cullinan—a man who’s not just a chart-topping musician but also a composer, author, award-winning educator, and all-around creative dynamo. “Footprint” is an emotional rollercoaster that invites you to interpret it through your lens.
The blueprint of “Footprint” was laid out somewhere during Cory’s college days at Stanford University in the late ’80s, inspired by the legendary John Chowning. Back then, Cory had the vision but not the tech—imagine trying to piece together field recordings without digital audio workstations. Fast-forward to the mid-2020s, after a serendipitous encounter with Dr. Chowning at a concert, Cory decided it was time to dust off that old idea.
With the help of his former student and current studio manager, Elizabeth Anaya, they brought “Footprint” to life just in time for a performance in front of Chowning himself, coming full circle in absolute, poetic purity.
“Footprint” isn’t just a one-and-done piece. It comes in three flavours: as an audio experience, an interactive live performance, and a multimedia project that’s a collaboration with Cory’s daughter, Sidney Cullinan. When Cory premiered it for his students, their interpretations varied wildly, just as he hoped. This piece is all about personal connection—each listener gets to shape their own experience.
At the live premiere in San Jose, Dr. Chowning cheering him on, Cory dedicated the piece to his mentor, who humorously shouted, “Cory, you did it!” Clearly, this project is more than just music; it’s about community and shared experiences.
Sidney created the visuals for the project, and with her impressive resume—from directing Grammy-winning music videos to crafting impactful environmental campaigns—is the perfect partner. As she juggles her studies at UC Santa Barbara, she’s making her mark in the environmental movement while keeping her creative juices flowing. And let’s not forget Cory, who’s not slowing down anytime soon. He’s gearing up to host a series of lectures and performances honouring John Chowning in Colorado this next February.
