John C.S. Keston is an award winning artist exploring how music, video art, and computer science intersect. His work both questions and embraces his backgrounds in music technology, software development, and improvisation leading him toward unconventional compositions that convey a spirit of discovery through the use of graphic scores, chance and generative techniques, analog and digital synthesis, experimental sound design, signal processing, and acoustic piano. Performers are empowered to use their phonomnesis, or sonic imaginations, while contributing to his collaborative work. Originally from the United Kingdom, he currently resides in Saint-Sernin, France. Keston has performed and exhibited original work at Northern Spark, the Weisman Art Museum, the Montreal Jazz Festival, the Walker Art Center, the In/Out Festival of Digital Performance, the Eyeo Festival, INST-INT , Echofluxx, WMC, Moogfest, NIME, ICMC, and ISSTA. Among others, Keston has performed and/or recorded with Atmosphere, JT Bates, Anthony Cox, Martin Dosh, Peter Hennig, Dave King, Scott L. Miller, Cody McKinney, Lister Rossell, Adam Svec, and Nils Westdal. He was recently awarded professor emeritus of Digital Media Arts at the University of St Thomas. He founded the sound design resource, AudioCookbook.org, where you will find articles and documentation about his projects and research.

John C.S. Caston / Keston

John C.S. Keston is an award winning artist exploring how music, video art, and computer science intersect. His work both questions and embraces his backgrounds in music technology, software development, and improvisation leading him toward unconventional compositions that convey a spirit of discovery through the use of graphic scores, chance and generative techniques, analog and digital synthesis, experimental sound design, signal processing, and acoustic piano. Performers are empowered to use their phonomnesis, or sonic imaginations, while contributing to his collaborative work. Originally from the United Kingdom, he currently resides in Saint-Sernin, France. Keston has performed and exhibited original work at Northern Spark, the Weisman Art Museum, the Montreal Jazz Festival, the Walker Art Center, the In/Out Festival of Digital Performance, the Eyeo Festival, INST-INT , Echofluxx, WMC, Moogfest, NIME, ICMC, and ISSTA. Among others, Keston has performed and/or recorded with Atmosphere, JT Bates, Anthony Cox, Martin Dosh, Peter Hennig, Dave King, Scott L. Miller, Cody McKinney, Lister Rossell, Adam Svec, and Nils Westdal. He was recently awarded professor emeritus of Digital Media Arts at the University of St Thomas. He founded the sound design resource, AudioCookbook.org, where you will find articles and documentation about his projects and research.

Available to hire

John C.S. Keston is an award winning artist exploring how music, video art, and computer science intersect. His work both questions and embraces his backgrounds in music technology, software development, and improvisation leading him toward unconventional compositions that convey a spirit of discovery through the use of graphic scores, chance and generative techniques, analog and digital synthesis, experimental sound design, signal processing, and acoustic piano. Performers are empowered to use their phonomnesis, or sonic imaginations, while contributing to his collaborative work. Originally from the United Kingdom, he currently resides in Saint-Sernin, France.

Keston has performed and exhibited original work at Northern Spark, the Weisman Art Museum, the Montreal Jazz Festival, the Walker Art Center, the In/Out Festival of Digital Performance, the Eyeo Festival, INST-INT , Echofluxx, WMC, Moogfest, NIME, ICMC, and
ISSTA. Among others, Keston has performed and/or recorded with Atmosphere, JT Bates, Anthony Cox, Martin Dosh, Peter Hennig, Dave King, Scott L. Miller, Cody McKinney, Lister Rossell, Adam Svec, and Nils Westdal. He was recently awarded professor emeritus of Digital Media Arts at the University of St Thomas. He founded the sound design resource, AudioCookbook.org, where you will find articles and documentation about his projects and research.

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Language

English
Fluent
French
Beginner

Work Experience

Senior Clinical Professor of Digital Media Arts at University of St. Thomas
September 1, 2015 - December 1, 2025
Develop and teach audio production, web design, graphic design, and coding courses in the Digital Media Arts program. Advise the award-winning student-run media organization, Tommie Media. Develop and teach workshops and topics covering emergent technologies and media. Serve on university committees related to areas of expertise.
Lecturer at University of Wisconsin–Stout
August 1, 2014 - January 1, 2015
Teach classes in the Interactive Media concentration for the School of Art and Design. Advise graduate and undergraduate students participating in the Interactive Media concentration. Develop up-to-date curriculum for students to follow during the course.
Instructor at The Art Institutes International Minnesota
July 1, 2002 - June 1, 2015
Teach and develop curricula for classes in the Audio Production and Interactive Media programs. Create web-based curricula for students. Help students understand their subjects through lectures, demos, and individualized instruction during lab time and office hours.
Artist in Residence at Metropolitan State University
November 1, 2014 - December 1, 2014
Gave presentations, prepared and managed workshops, and produced performances with students in the Experimental Music and Interactive Arts program.
Lecturer at University of Wisconsin-Stout
August 1, 2014 - January 1, 2015
Teach classes in the Interactive Media concentration for the School of Art and Design. Advise graduate and undergraduate students participating in the Interactive Media concentration. Develop up-to-date curriculum and advise graduate/undergraduate students.
Performer / Speaker at Metropolitan State University
November 1, 2013 - November 1, 2013
Performer and speaker for events associated with the Experimental Music and Interactive Arts program.
Speaker at Hamline University
October 1, 2007 - October 1, 2007
Meet with and discuss the artistic process with Studio Arts and Art History class members for Professor John-Marc Schlenk.

Education

Master of Fine Arts in Sound Art and New Media at Minneapolis College of Art and Design
January 1, 2011 - January 1, 2013
Master of Fine Arts in Sound Art and New Media at University of Minnesota
January 1, 2007 - January 1, 2009
Bachelor of Arts in Music Technology (Honors) at Metropolitan State University
January 1, 2003 - January 1, 2005
Master of Fine Arts in Sound Art and New Media at Minneapolis College of Art and Design
January 1, 2011 - January 1, 2013
Bachelor of Arts in Music Technology (Honors) at Metropolitan State University
January 1, 2003 - January 1, 2005
Graduate level coursework in Max/MSP / Interactive Media at University of Minnesota
January 1, 2007 - January 1, 2009

Qualifications

Proficiency in Ableton Live
January 11, 2030 - March 7, 2026
Max/MSP / Interactive Media proficiency
January 11, 2030 - March 7, 2026
Pro Tools
January 11, 2030 - March 7, 2026
Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator, Premiere Pro, After Effects)
January 11, 2030 - March 7, 2026

Industry Experience

Media & Entertainment, Education, Software & Internet, Professional Services, Other