Composer - Performer - Researcher
Publications
AFTERnaut: A Multi-Modal Interactive Interface for Embodied Exploration of Neural Synthesis Latent Spaces
Evan O'Donnell and Atau Tanaka
AIMC 2026
We present a multimodal interactive interface for exploration and embodied mapping of complex neural synthesis latent spaces. Most users felt they could identify interesting sounds through the system and build embodied interactions which felt intuitive or useful. This supports bespoke and embodied applications of neural audio synthesis models by non-specialist musicians...
Gesture Mapping for Embodied Rhythmic Expression: A Case Study on Expressive Affordances
Evan O'Donnell and Atau Tanaka
MOCO 2026
We provide a case study applying movement and muscle sensors to work with rhythmic phrase and pattern in digital music performance systems. While there is much prior research on gesture-sound mapping, comparatively little focuses on rhythm. However, strong correlations between rhythm and movement suggest productive untapped creative affordances...
Real-Time Gesture Classification via Multi-Modal Sensor Data for Intuitive Performance Mapping
Evan O'Donnell and Atau Tanaka
CMMR 2025
We present an approach to real-time continuous gesture recognition via accessible classification and regression tools and its application in an embodied musical performance workflow. By combining electromyogram (EMG) muscle signals with gyroscope and accelerometer data from a wireless inertial measurement unit (IMU) system, we attained well-rounded descriptors of ongoing gestural arm movements...
A Practice-Based Methodology for Capturing Embodied Gesture-Rhythm Relations in Small Datasets
Evan O'Donnell and Patrick Hartono
AIMC 2025
This paper introduces a practice-centered methodology for building gesture and rhythmic phrase datasets to support music composition and performance. Rooted in individual investigations into gestural sensor use for sculpting rhythmic expression in electronic music, the approach integrates an improvisation analysis method developed by Rodrigo Constanzo with sound-tracing workflows...
Academic Presentations and Performances
NIME: International Conference on New Interfaces for Musical Expression, London, UK, 2026
"A Body Knows the Pattern: A Performance System Exploring Embodied Rhythm and Phrasing via NIME": Read here
Live Performance.
RMA-MTI Study Day: Embodied Research Methods in Music & Sound, Liverpool, UK, 2026
"How Does the Body Know the Pattern?"
Oral presentation.
MOCO: The 10th International Conference on Movement and Computing, Montpellier, France, 2026
"A Body Knows the Pattern: A Performance System Exploring Gesture Mapping and Embodied
Rhythm": Read here
Live Performance.
DMRN+19: Digital Music Research Network One-day Workshop, London, UK, 2024
"An improvisation analysis method with machine learning for embodied rhythm research."
Oral presentation: Watch here.