Dr. Kirsty Beilharz is Director of Music Engagement at HammondCare and a Visiting Fellow at the University of Edinburgh U.K., applying music research in the context of aged, restorative and palliative care, with a focus on music in dementia research. She is former Professor of Music, Sound and Interaction Design in the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences (FASS) and Faculty of Design, Architecture and Building (DAB), at the University of Technology, Sydney (UTS) Australia. Previously, she was Digital Media program director at the University of Sydney Design Lab from 2001-2008. Her research integrates music and generative [algorithmic and biologically inspired Artificial Life] processes applied to sound, real time audio-visual interaction and information sonification. Her interaction design research focuses on gesture and motion tracking to produce musical hyper-instruments that augment conventional acoustic capabilities and audio-visual installations. Beilharz's research funded by Australian Research Council, UTS & University of Sydney R&D Scheme, works with sensors, gesture-controllers, video-tracking & data to develop interactive and responsive sonification (auditory display) & multimedia environments. This research has been exhibited at the Media Architecture Biennale in Vienna, Bondi Sculpture by the Sea, Paris Cité International des Arts, Tin Sheds Gallery, Sydney Powerhouse Museum, in the U.K., Taiwan and at Sydney Esquisse Art Festival.
Dr. Kirsty Beilharz is an Internationally recognized composer and time-based and interactive media artist. Her ensemble, orchestral and electronic compositions have been performed by the Nouvel Ensemble Moderne (Montreal, Canada), Ensemble Recherche (Freiburg, Germany) and by the Sydney, Melbourne, Tasmanian and Western Australian Symphony Orchestras. She has won International prizes and commissions including recognition at Gaudeamus World Music Days Amsterdam, Paris Rostrum, Hannover Biennale, by Nouvel Ensemble Moderne Forum Montreal.