Hello! I’m Bevin Kelley, a senior sound designer and composer with over two decades of experience crafting immersive audio for toys, consumer electronics, theatre, and digital media. I design sounds, music, and interactive audio systems that enhance user experiences across devices, apps, and performances. I’ve collaborated with teams at Lab126/Amazon, Hasbro, Apple Hill Center for Chamber Music, and independent projects, always aiming to blend technical rigor with creative storytelling. I hold a PhD in Computer Music and Multimedia from Brown University, along with an MA and MFA in related fields. I’ve taught and mentored at Brown, and I enjoy exploring new sound territories—from instrumental performance to spatialized multi-channel and Dolby Atmos experiences. Based in Willits, California, I’m continually looking for opportunities to push the boundaries of sound design and music in innovative contexts.…

Bevin Kelley

PRO

Hello! I’m Bevin Kelley, a senior sound designer and composer with over two decades of experience crafting immersive audio for toys, consumer electronics, theatre, and digital media. I design sounds, music, and interactive audio systems that enhance user experiences across devices, apps, and performances. I’ve collaborated with teams at Lab126/Amazon, Hasbro, Apple Hill Center for Chamber Music, and independent projects, always aiming to blend technical rigor with creative storytelling. I hold a PhD in Computer Music and Multimedia from Brown University, along with an MA and MFA in related fields. I’ve taught and mentored at Brown, and I enjoy exploring new sound territories—from instrumental performance to spatialized multi-channel and Dolby Atmos experiences. Based in Willits, California, I’m continually looking for opportunities to push the boundaries of sound design and music in innovative contexts.…

Available to hire

Hello! I’m Bevin Kelley, a senior sound designer and composer with over two decades of experience crafting immersive audio for toys, consumer electronics, theatre, and digital media. I design sounds, music, and interactive audio systems that enhance user experiences across devices, apps, and performances. I’ve collaborated with teams at Lab126/Amazon, Hasbro, Apple Hill Center for Chamber Music, and independent projects, always aiming to blend technical rigor with creative storytelling.

I hold a PhD in Computer Music and Multimedia from Brown University, along with an MA and MFA in related fields. I’ve taught and mentored at Brown, and I enjoy exploring new sound territories—from instrumental performance to spatialized multi-channel and Dolby Atmos experiences. Based in Willits, California, I’m continually looking for opportunities to push the boundaries of sound design and music in innovative contexts.

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Language

English
Fluent

Work Experience

Senior Sound Designer at Consumer Robotics /Lab126, Amazon
January 1, 2023 - April 20, 2024
Created UI/UX sounds, sfx, and music for the Amazon Astro Robot, implemented sound assets in Wwise, created and implemented sound for prototypes for a range of Amazon/Lab126 projects, and designed sound/music for the Astro Robot social media and apps.
Senior UI/UX Sound Designer at Devices Design Group, Amazon Alexa
January 1, 2017 - December 31, 2023
Created sounds, music, and sfx for a wide range of Amazon Alexa Echo devices and experiences, apps, optimized and mastered sound for Echo hardware, worked with Alexa Personality team and other creatives, managed a proprietary sound library, composed systems for sound-emotions and urgency levels in UI/UX flows, advocated for sound design in Echo Alexa devices, and designed sounds for podcasts and internal conferences.
Senior Sound Designer at FurReal Friends / Animatronic Toys team, Hasbro
January 1, 2013 - December 31, 2017
Embedded sound designer collaborating with engineers, animatronics, toy designers, and marketing teams. Brainstormed toy creation ideas, advised on sound quality, directed and recorded voice talent, created all sounds for the award-winning Tyler My Roarin’ Tiger toy, worked closely with animatronics teams, and took part in toy testing processes.
Composition and Sound Design at Bridge Repertory Theatre
January 1, 2013 - December 31, 2013
Composed sound, music, and sfx for multiple theater productions implementing the work in Q-Lab.
PhD Fellow/Teaching Assistant at Brown University
January 1, 2009 - December 31, 2013
Received full scholarship, taught Logic DAW labs, Electronic Music 101, and presented work in class sessions.
Sound Designer at Game-layers, Inc.
January 1, 2007 - December 31, 2008
Designed and implemented music, sound, and sfx for an internet-based steampunk game.
Sound Design Lead at Creativity Inc.
January 1, 2001 - December 31, 2005
Designed and implemented sound and music for many toy companies contracting with Creativity Inc.
Audio Lead at LeapFrog Enterprises
January 1, 1999 - December 31, 2001
Designed sound, music, and sfx for Leap Frog toys, collaborating closely with engineering and design teams, recorded and edited local and LA voice talent, and created and implemented music and sfx using the Beatnik Player.
Audio Hardware and Software Beta-Tester at Beatnik, Inc.
January 1, 1998 - December 31, 1999
Beta tested Beatnik groove-grams and software for audio technology pre-mp3 startup.
Audio Hardware and Software Beta-Tester at Orban
January 1, 1997 - December 31, 1998
Beta-tested digital processing units and digital radio carts for tracking on-air advertisements.
Freelance Sound Design, Audio Production, and Composition at Self-employed
January 1, 1998 - April 20, 2024
Composed sound for devices, toys, apps, theater, dance, installations, performance, radio, film, and more.
Senior Sound Designer at Consumer Robotics /Lab126, Amazon
January 1, 2023 - April 26, 2024
Created UI/UX sounds, sound effects, and music for the Amazon Astro Robot. Implemented sound assets in Wwise and designed sound/music for the Astro Robot's social media and apps. Also created and implemented sound for prototypes across various Amazon/Lab126 projects.
Senior UI/UX Sound Designer at Devices Design Group, Amazon Alexa
January 1, 2017 - December 31, 2023
Created sounds, music, and sound effects for a wide range of Amazon Alexa Echo devices and experiences. Optimized and mastered sound for all Echo hardware, working closely with teams across personality, engineering, animation, and visual design. Directed and managed a proprietary sound library and designed systems for sound emotions and urgency levels in UI/UX flows. Advocated for sound design as a core component of Echo Alexa devices and contributed sounds and music for internal podcasts and design conferences.
Senior Sound Designer at FurReal Friends / Animatronic Toys team, Hasbro
January 1, 2013 - December 31, 2017
Sole embedded sound designer collaborating with engineers, animatronics, toy designers, and marketing teams. Brainstormed toy ideas and advised on sound use and quality. Directed voice talent, edited, recorded, implemented final audio assets, and created all sounds for award-winning toys like Tyler My Roarin’ Tiger. Coordinated multi-disciplinary aspects including sound, lights, and mechanical inputs, and participated in user testing.
Composition and Sound Design at Bridge Repertory Theatre
January 1, 2013 - December 31, 2013
Composed sound, music, and sound effects for multiple theater productions, implementing audio in Q-Lab.
Brown University PhD Fellow/Teaching Assistant at Brown University
January 1, 2009 - December 31, 2013
Received full scholarship for PhD program. Taught Logic DAW labs to undergraduates, Electronic Music 101 courses, and presented work in class sessions.
Sound Design at Game-layers, Inc.
January 1, 2007 - December 31, 2008
Designed and implemented music, sound, and sound effects for an internet-based steampunk game.
Sound Design Lead at Creativity Inc.
January 1, 2001 - December 31, 2005
Designed and implemented sound and music for toy companies contracting with Creativity Inc.
Audio Lead at LeapFrog Enterprises
January 1, 1999 - December 31, 2001
Designed sound, music, and sound effects for LeapFrog toys. Recorded and edited local and Los Angeles sound talent. Created and implemented music and sound effects using the Beatnik Player.
Audio Hardware and Software Beta-Tester at Beatnik, Inc.
January 1, 1998 - December 31, 1999
Conducted beta testing for Beatnik groove-grams as part of a pre-MP3 internet sound startup.
Audio Hardware and Software Beta-Tester at Orban
January 1, 1997 - December 31, 1998
Beta-tested Orban digital processing units and digital radio carts for tracking on-air advertisements.
Freelance Sound Design, Audio Production, and Composition at Freelance
January 1, 1998 - April 26, 2024
Composed sound for devices, toys, applications, theater, dance, installations, performance, radio, film, and more.
Senior Sound Designer at Consumer Robotics /Lab126, Amazon
January 1, 2023 - April 27, 2024
Created UI/UX sounds, effects, and music for the Amazon Astro Robot. Implemented sound assets in Wwise and designed sound/music for the Astro Robot's social media and apps. Created and implemented sound for prototypes for a range of Amazon/Lab126 projects.
Senior UI/UX Sound Designer at Devices Design Group, Amazon Alexa
January 1, 2017 - December 31, 2023
Developed sounds, music, and sound effects for Amazon Alexa Echo devices and apps. Optimized and mastered sound across a full range of Echo hardware devices. Collaborated with the Alexa Personality team, engineers, animators, and designers. Created and directed a proprietary sound library. Designed sounds for Echo Studio OOBE experience and composed sound systems expressing emotions and levels of urgency in UI/UX flows. Advocated for sound design in all Echo Alexa projects and contributed to internal/external podcasts and music for design conferences.
Senior Sound Designer at FurReal Friends / Animatronic Toys team, Hasbro
January 1, 2013 - December 31, 2017
Served as the sole embedded sound designer for FurReal, BabyAlive, and MyLittlePony. Collaborated with engineers, animatronics teams, toy designers, visual designers, and marketing. Directed voice talent, recorded, edited, and implemented audio assets. Created sounds for Hasbro's award-winning holiday toy Tyler My Roarin’ Tiger. Coordinated sound with animatronics, lights, and inputs/outputs. Conducted demo and sound testing with children and adults.
Composition and Sound Design at Bridge Repertory Theatre
January 1, 2013 - December 31, 2013
Composed sound, music, and sound effects for multiple theater productions; implemented audio in Q-Lab.
PhD Fellow/Teaching Assistant at Brown University
January 1, 2009 - December 31, 2013
Taught Logic DAW labs to undergraduates, Electronic Music 101 course, and presented work in class sessions while pursuing full scholarship for PhD.
Sound Designer at Game-layers, Inc.
January 1, 2007 - December 31, 2008
Designed and implemented music, sound, and sound effects for an internet-based steampunk game.
Sound Design Lead at Creativity Inc.
January 1, 2001 - December 31, 2005
Designed and implemented sound and music for various toy companies contracting with Creativity Inc.
Audio Lead at LeapFrog Enterprises
January 1, 1999 - December 31, 2001
Designed sound, music, and sound effects for Leap Frog toys. Recorded and edited local and Los Angeles sound talent. Created and implemented music and sound effects using Beatnik Player.
Audio Hardware and Software Beta-Tester at Beatnik, Inc.
January 1, 1998 - December 31, 1999
Worked as a beta tester for Thomas Dolby’s Beatnik groove-grams and internet audio technology pre-mp3 startup.
Audio Hardware and Software Beta-Tester at Orban
January 1, 1997 - December 31, 1998
Beta-tested Orban digital processing units and digital radio carts for tracking on-air advertisements.
Freelance Sound Design, Audio Production, and Composition at Self-employed
January 1, 1998 - April 27, 2024
Composed sound for devices, toys, apps, theater, dance, installations, performance, radio, and film projects.
Senior Sound Designer at Consumer Robotics / Lab126, Amazon
January 1, 2023 - December 31, 2024
Created UI/UX sounds, SFX, and music for the Amazon Astro robot; implemented sound assets in Wise; designed and implemented sound for prototypes for a range of Amazon/Lab126 projects; composed and integrated sound/music for the Astro Robot’s social media and apps.
Senior Sound Designer at Hasbro (FurReal Friends / Animatronic Toys)
January 1, 2013 - December 31, 2017
Embedded sound designer coordinating with engineers, animatronics teams, toy designers, visuals, and marketing; directed, recorded, edited, and asset-tracked final audio; selected voice talent; created sounds for award-winning toys; coordinated with Animatronics on sound, lights, inputs/outputs, and cam charts; conducted toy testing with audiences.

Education

PhD in Computer Music and Multimedia at Brown University
September 1, 2009 - May 5, 2014
MA in Electronic Music and Recording Media at Mills College
December 31, 1996 - December 31, 2000
BM Violin Performance / BA English at Oberlin Conservatory / Oberlin College
December 31, 1989 - December 31, 1994
PhD at Brown University
January 1, 2010 - December 31, 2014
MA at Brown University
January 1, 2009 - December 31, 2011
MFA at Mills College
January 1, 2006 - December 31, 2008
BA at Oberlin College
January 1, 1991 - December 31, 1995
BM at Oberlin College
January 1, 1991 - December 31, 1995
PhD at Brown University
January 1, 2010 - December 31, 2014
MA at Brown University
January 1, 2010 - December 31, 2011
MFA at Mills College
January 1, 2007 - December 31, 2008
BA at Oberlin College
January 1, 1995 - December 31, 1995
BM at Oberlin College
January 1, 1995 - December 31, 1995
PhD at Brown University
January 1, 2010 - December 31, 2014
MA at Brown University
January 1, 2009 - December 31, 2011
MFA at Mills College
January 1, 2006 - December 31, 2008
BA at Oberlin College
January 1, 1991 - December 31, 1995
BM at Oberlin College
January 1, 1991 - December 31, 1995
PhD Computer Music and Multimedia at Brown University
January 11, 2030 - January 1, 2014
MA Computer Music and Multimedia at Brown University
January 11, 2030 - January 1, 2011
MFA Electronic Music and Recording Media at Mills College
January 11, 2030 - January 1, 2008
BA English at Oberlin College
January 11, 2030 - January 1, 1995
BM Violin Performance at Oberlin College
January 11, 2030 - January 1, 1995

Qualifications

MacColl Johnson Fellowship, Award for Music Composition
January 1, 2015 - January 31, 2015
MacColl Johnson Fellowship, Award for Music Composition
January 1, 2015 - December 31, 2015

Industry Experience

Consumer Goods, Computers & Electronics, Gaming, Media & Entertainment, Education, Software & Internet, Retail, Professional Services