Details:
On the evening of Thursday, May 21st, we were thrilled and delighted to present Acousti-dapted, an evening focusing on the specific aesthetic and creativity involved in adapting an acoustic instrument with electronics and effects. Julie Licata played a processed vibraphone, Troy Kunkler played an effected drumset (a la Joe Tomino) and Chris Weldon played two effected ancient instruments, a Turkish cimbalom and a harp.
About the artists:
Julie Licata is a percussionist/drummer, noisemaker, collaborator, and educator. Her performances range from improvisational soundscapes and works with computer processing, to solo marimba and percussion, chamber ensembles, orchestras, theater pits, Indonesian gamelan and West African drum ensembles. Julie recently accepted the position of Assistant Professor and Director of Percussion at Capital University in Columbus, Ohio. As a performer, Julie focuses on promoting emerging composers and seeking new modes of musical expression with particular emphasis on improvisation and the integration of live analog and digital electronics. She recently released an album, resound/unsound, with co-creators Andris Balins and Brett Masteller; the album features percussive improvisations with time lag accumulation, feedback looping, and modular synthesis. Within this musical realm, Julie has performed at the Society for Electro-Acoustic Music in the US, the International Computer Music Conference, CHIMEFest in Chicago, IL, and numerous new music venues across the US.
Troy began playing percussion in middle school band. He went on to study music at Ohio University, where he studied classical percussion with Roger Braun and Joseph VanHassel and drum set with Guy Remonko. In college, Troy participated in as many ensembles as possible and was known for borrowing large stacks of scores from the library to read through. Since college, Troy has played, toured, and recorded with a variety of bands and ensembles on drum set, bass, and vibraphone. Some past projects include: Radarhill, Mosses, and a rock opera written by local composer Nick Weckman about worms taking over the planet entitled “Worms Rise Up”. Currently, Troy plays drums with October Ember, The Francis Bacon Band, guitarist Mike Sopko, bass with Marvin The Robot, and drums and vibraphone as a soloist, bandleader and freelancer. As an instructor, Troy has taught students of all ages and loves to help people find joy playing music and develop their unique sound based on their interests and influences. Outside of music, Troy enjoys being outdoors, running, tennis, card games, and movies.
Chris Weldon has been engaging in creative endeavors for you to see, hear, taste and recall for several decades.