Penelope Bekiari

Education

• PhD Candidate — Electroacoustic Composition and Affective Technologies in Contemporary Performance Practice, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens (2024–Present)
• MMus Electroacoustic Composition and Interactive Media, University of Manchester — Graduated with Distinction (2021–2022)
• MMus Music Technology and Contemporary Practices, NKUA — Graduated with Distinction (2020–2023)
• BA Theatre Studies, School of Philosophy, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens (2012–2018)
• SAE Institute Athens — Music Production (2016)
• Piano Diploma (Grade 8)

 

Research Affiliations

• Research Member — Artificial Intelligence and Deep Learning Lab (AIDL), University of West Attica (MSc)

Research areas include:
- Artificial intelligence in creative systems
- Physiological computing
- Interactive sonic systems
- Embodied AI
- Adaptive sound ecologies

 

Research Interests

• Biomusic
• EEG-based musical interaction
• Electroacoustic composition
• Affective computing
• Neuroaesthetics
• Acoustic ecology
• Soundscape composition
• Physiological computing
• Interactive AI systems
• Embodied cognition
• Human–machine interaction
• Inclusive music technologies
• Sonic dramaturgy
• Experimental performance systems

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Research Methods

 

• Qualitative interviews and thematic analysis

• Participatory and community-based research

• Practice-based and artistic research methodologies

• Experimental design and behavioural studies

• Quantitative analysis of physiological and behavioural data

• Mixed-methods research

• User-centred evaluation of interactive music technologies

• Co-creative and participatory artistic practices

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Conferences and Academic Presentations

• International Computer Music Conference (ICMC 2026), Hamburg — “Hyponoia: An Affective Computing System for Neuro-Responsive Performance”

• Sound and Music Computing Conference (SMC 2026), Zagreb — BioKybérnēsis:  Case Studies on Biomusic and Bioaesthetics  in Contemporary Sound Performance
  Accepted

• Bekiari, P., Edmondson, G. & Georgaki, A. (2024). Resonant Echoes: Acoustic Heritage and Cultural Memory in the Mani Peninsula. Proceedings of the 7th Conference on Acoustic Ecology, Athens & Ancient Epidaurus. Explored the relationship between sound, memory, identity and wellbeing through community-based soundscape research, combining qualitative methods, interviews and participatory engagement with local populations to investigate how sonic environments support cultural continuity and personal recollection.

• Invited Presentation — “Biomusic and Affective Technology with Penelope Bekiari” (March 17, 2025), Ionian University, coordinated by Emmanouel Rovithis as part of the Art Research Methods course. The presentation explored biomusic, affective technologies, electroacoustic composition, and the sonification of physiological data including EEG, heart rate, and galvanic skin response within immersive interactive sound environments. Themes included acoustic ecology, human–computer interaction, and neuro-responsive performance systems.

• Advances in Data Science & AI Conference 2023, University of Manchester — “Revisiting Andromeda of Euripides with Biofeedback” 

• SMC Porto 2023 (Sound and Music Computing Conference) Performance: Andromeda for Flute and Biofeedback – Biosensors in Immersive Music Performance

 

Festivals, Artistic Events, Residencies

• 2026 — Sonorities Festival 2026 — Permeable Signal selected for the Handmade Music Programme.

• 2026 — Festival–Conference of Contemporary Music — Performance of Rhoē No2 at the Cultural and Conference Center of Heraklion, organised by the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens.

• 2025 — Netherlands Institute for Neuroscience — Rustle awarded the Art of Neuroscience 2025 Prize.

• 2025 — PROCESSES FESTIVAL — Performance of Permeable Signal at REVMA Cultural Space.

• 2025 — BEaST Southeast / Northwest — Presentation of Rhoē No1 for piano and live bio-electronics at the University of Birmingham.

• 2024–2025 — Greek National Opera — Artist in Residence as part of the National Recovery and Resilience Plan funded by the European Commission (Next Generation EU).

• 2024 — Contemporary Music Festival — Performance of Rhoē No1 at the Athens Concert Hall (Dimitris Mitropoulos Hall).

• 2024 — Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Center — Latent Space – Glass Animals, acoustic composition inspired by The Glass Menagerie.

• 2024 — Sound and Music Computing Conference — Presentation of Andromeda for flute and biofeedback (Biosensors in Immersive Music Performance).

• 2024 — MANTIS Festival — Selected work: Lalē.

• 2024 — CIME/ICEM — Presentation of Synopsis, representing HELLMCA at Opéra Comédie, Montpellier.

• 2023 — MA/IN Festival — Selected work: Andromeda for flute and live electronics, presented at the Goethe Institute Rome.

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Awards and Grants

• Art of Neuroscience 2025 Prize, Netherlands Institute for Neuroscience

Awarded for Rustle

• Research Equipment Grant, Martinos Foundation

Awarded a Neuroelectrics Enobio 8 wireless EEG system in support of doctoral research

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Organisational and Curatorial Contributions

• Assisted in the organisation and coordination of the 7th Conference on Acoustic Ecology, contributing to communication, artistic coordination, participant support, and the development of soundscape concert and installation activities. Responsibilities included conference logistics, collaboration with artists and researchers, and support for the curation and presentation of interdisciplinary acoustic ecology events.

• Sound Ecology Conference, Hong Kong University of Science and Technology — Academic contribution and supervision

 

Teaching Experience

• PhD Lecturer — Electroacoustic Composition and Live Electronics, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens (2024–Present)
• Music Technology Lecturer — Metropolitan College / University of East London (2022–Present)

 

Collaborative Projects

• Reciprocal Images Project — TV Control Center, Athens (2026)

• Bio Resonances Project — Rhoē, TV Control Center, Athens (2024)

• 2021: Transmissions Project, University Exchange Program Supported by the Onassis Foundation Teaching Experience

 

Technical Skills

Programming / Computational:
• Python
• MATLAB
• Machine Learning Workflows
• EEG Signal Processing

Audio / Interactive Systems:
• Max/MSP
• SuperCollider
• Live Electronics
• Spatial Audio Systems

Physiological / Embedded Systems:
• Muse 2 EEG
• LSL (Lab Streaming Layer)
• Arduino

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Theatre Plays / Film Scoring

• 2025: The Chairs (Les Chaises) by Eugène Ionesco Alkmini Theatre, Athens

• 2022: The Knight’s Hart – Best Original Score at SEVIFF (Sevilla Indie Film Festival 2022) awarded to Penelope Bekiari

• 2019–2020: Doctor Glass by Hjalmar Söderberg (Greece-Cyprus production)

Under the aegis of the Embassy of Sweden in Athens

• 2018: Old Clown Wanted (Greece) Under the aegis of the Association of Greek Culture and Development – ΕΝΕΛΠΑ

• 2017: Euripides in War: Phoenicians – Trojans Center for Classical Drama, Panteion University of Social and Political SciencesCollaborative Projects

• TV Control Center: March 22, 2024 – Bio Resonances Project: Rhoē

• Curated Performance Evening | Ionian University – MARes A meditative framework of four performance pieces centered on interaction, the body, and sound.

 

Technical Skills

 

Programming and Computational Systems

Python, MATLAB, machine learning workflows, EEG signal processing

 

Audio and Interactive Systems

Max/MSP, SuperCollider, live electronics, spatial audio systems

 

Physiological and Embedded Systems

Muse 2 EEG, LSL (Lab Streaming Layer), Arduino

 

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