Tess Oldfield

Tess Oldfield (b.1992) is a sonic/spatial transformer/synthesizer/composer. They are currently exploring computational composition by designing digital extensions for acoustic instruments. Their research explores the body’s mechanics and singing’s cultural contexts by recreating the human voice’s inner workings through custom hardware and software networks. Building digital extensions for found instruments extends their voicing abilities as a performer, transforming tools into elaborate transducers and digital/analogue prosthetics. Oldfield holds an MFA from RISD in Digital + Media and has exhibited their work throughout the US, including at Yale University Sculpture Gallery, the New Bedford Art Museum and CyberArtsBoston. Oldfield has participated in residencies at ACRE Projects and will be the Sound Art and Experimental Music Resident at Bemis Center in 2025. They teach in RISD’s Experimental and Foundation Studies division and in the Digital + Media department. They live and work in Chicago, IL.