Erin Demastes is an experimental composer, performer, and instrument maker whose research combines sound and technology with humor, drama, and absurdity. She uses everyday, household objects and hacked electronics for both her fixed media work and performances and subverts the use and perception of these materials with play and experimentation. By placing items in theatrical settings, Erin brings out the character of things we normally may not think twice about. In addition to her interest in physical materials, Erin also experiments with instruction and interaction design by playing with the boundaries of her scores, performances, and installations to find a balance between structure and uncertainty.

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Erin has presented her work at many venues including Coaxial Arts Foundation, Human
Resources LA, Betalevel, Soundpedro at Angeles Gate Cultural Center, Center for New Music, Navel LA, Mills College, and UC Santa Cruz and has performed at MoCA, Automata, The Women’s Center for Creative Work, Santa Monica Public Library, Walt Disney Concert Hall, and more. In addition to performing and building installations, Erin teaches composition and electronics workshops and has taught at Calarts, Pasadena City College, Coaxial Arts, and the Hackaday Superconference. She often works with organizations such as Indexical and the wulf. and is on the board of the Dog Star Orchestra.

Erin received an M.F.A. in Experimental Sound Practices and Integrated Media from California Institute of the Arts, a B.M. in jazz studies and piano performance from Loyola University New Orleans, and is currently pursuing a doctorate in experimental music and digital media at Louisiana State University. She worked as an audio technician, artist, and educator for five years in Los Angeles and as a jazz and classical pianist, composer, and arranger for ten years in the New Orleans area.

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