selected research / writing / teaching

sound and activism: acoustic ecology and sound art in the time of environmental crisis

<panel discussion with Garth Pain, Sabine Faust and Andrea Polli>
<video archive is here - part of for earth day art model 2022>

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transformative pedagogy: creative explorations in acoustic ecology and sonic art

<presented at the transformations of musical creativity in the 21st century conference>
<presentation slides are here>

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DIY and one-off instruments: unique approaches to electronic musical instrument design

<presented at the sustainable sounds: interrogating the materials of music making technologies conference, Edinburgh>
<presentation slides (without sound files) are here>

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the eighth nerve guitar: a personal reflection on instrument design and computer-mediated performance

<published in the proceedings of the ACM international conference on tangible, embedded and embodied interaction>
<paper is located here>

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teaching acoustic ecology and sound art: dialogues across disciplines

<pedagogical research talk given most recently at the ecomusics & ecomusicologies conference>
<supporting web site, with presentation materials is here>

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improvising with computers: will we be assimilated?

<an artist / research talk I have been presenting at a number of conferences>
<presentation slides (without audio / video) are here (pdf)>

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computer-mediated / interactive performance:
moving boundary problem case study (pdf)

<a paper written w/ David Birchfield, presented at the enaction in arts conference, grenoble, france>
<listen to moving boundary problem>

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SMALLab: a mediated platform for education (pdf)

<a paper written w/ David Birchfield and Gary Minyard while at ASU; presented at the ACM SIGGRAPH conference>
<see current project information or info on the the ASU - arts, media, and engineering program>

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beginner's mind: an environment for sonic improvisation (pdf)

<a paper given at ICMC>
<listen to beginner's mind>

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computer-mediated improvisation - ph.d. dissertation

dissertation table of contents / introduction (pdf)

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three meditations: a discussion of a recent work (pdf)

<includes background and context, aesthetic and technical concerns and analysis of each movement>
<listen to three meditations for prepared piano and computer>

teaching

<selected classes>

MUSIC 203: acoustic ecology and sonic art: Mount Holyoke College

<The field of acoustic ecology is particularly concerned with how we create, interpret and interact with the sounds around us and how imbalances in the soundscape may affect human health and the natural world. Through reading, discussion, listening sessions, independent research, and hands-on projects, we will examine the broad interdisciplinary fields of acoustic ecology and sonic art. We will engage historical, conceptual, and aesthetic aspects of sound as a cultural, environmental, and artistic medium, with an emphasis on listening, psychoacoustics, soundscape studies, field recording and soundscape composition. We will question predominate ideas regarding the relationships between location, environment, sound, silence, music, and noise, and test these ideas through individual and group research as well as hands-on sonic art projects>

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MUSIC 202: electronic and computer music: Mount Holyoke College

<This course will explore a range of approaches and techniques involved in the creation of electronic and computer music, including aspects of form and development, analog and digital synthesis and signal processing, basic computer music programming, and audio recording and production techniques. The focus of this seminar will be a series of exercises and creative projects that develop aesthetic and technical abilities. This creative work will be supported and enriched by selected reading and listening examples, as well as ongoing technical labs and demonstrations>

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MUSIC 102: music and technology: Mount Holyoke College

<It is now possible to record, manipulate, and compose music with a variety of powerful and flexible tools using the personal computer. Through reading, discussion, demonstration, listening sessions, technical tutorials and hands-on projects, we will explore the techniques, practices and aesthetics surrounding creative applications of current and emerging music technologies, including sound recording and editing, mixing, synthesis and music sequencing>

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MUSC 482: recording techniques 2: Towson University

<This recording course will focus on advanced tracking, editing, mixing, and production techniques. There will be in-class tech labs and demonstration sessions that will contribute to the development of core technical skills, as well as prepare students for individual and collaborative studio projects. Class meetings will include recording or production sessions in the Music Department studio>

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MUSC 281: recording techniques 1: Towson University

<Through reading, discussion, listening sessions, independent research, technical tutorials and hands-on projects, we will examine the theory, techniques and practices surrounding audio recording. Particular class meetings will consist of recording sessions in the Music Department recording studio>

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VAST 205: new media: Holy Cross

<New Media radically explores diverse and contemporary methods of digital production and output, raising issues regarding the nature of the physical art object, the expanding role of emerging digital processes in artistic production, and the role new media art plays in the production and dissemination of contemporary artistic practice>

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VAST 105: digital studio 1: Holy Cross

<A hands-on introduction to digital art making processes and approaches. Think creatively, work digitally and examine the potential of digital art making as a new form of art>

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ARS 261 / MUS 261: sonic art: theory and practice: Smith College

<An exploration of conceptual, theoretical and compositional aspects of sound and listening, acoustics / psychoacoustics, social-cultural contexts of sound and recording, sound aesthetics and symbolism, soundscapes and acoustic ecology, as well as sound in relationship to other media>

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ARS 166: introduction to media arts and technology: Smith College

<An exploration of the intersections of art and technology across a wide range of technologically mediated experimental / interdisciplinary practices, including digital imaging, sonic art, interactive installations, physical / tactile computing, digital writing, computer mediated performance, as well as emergent new media art and research topics>

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CSC 106: introduction to computing and the arts: Smith College
team taught with Eitan Mendelowitz

<An exploration of computation as an artistic medium, with creative approaches to computer programming as the central theme. Through readings, viewings, group discussion, labs, projects, critiques, and guest artist / researcher presentations, we will examine a range of computational art practices, while developing a solid foundation in basic computer programming approaches and techniques>

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