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“Non-strategic Strategies,” developed during this period, remains foundational to his compositional practice, blending spontaneous performance with custom-built instruments and responsive technologies. Perley’s installations often investigate overlooked and marginalized histories, especially within Queer communities, engaging with the historiography of urban spaces
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Professional
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Lecturer and assistant professorship, Catalyst- Institute for Creative Arts and Technology, Berlin Germany, 2025
Workshops in programming and performance, recording in Funkhaus Studios.
Lecturer at the Catalyst Symposium - Emulating Space: Orchestration in Polyphonic Expression and Physical Modeling.
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​Lead programmer and technical assistant for Pauline Oliveros at Whitney Biennial 2014
New York City and Troy, NY — 2013-2014
Coordinating and programming for Pauline Oliveros’ Whitney Biennial Exhibition, Expanded Instrument System (EIS)/“Deep Listening Room” New York, NY; installation and deinstallation duties, exhibition curator and maintenance, MIDI programming and code development using Max/MSP and Touch OSC/Mira, audio, video and photo documentation of performances at the Whitney Museum
Album design for Deep Listening Band’s “Dubrobin Sonic Gems”, recorded live in Dunrobin Canada, October 2013; photography and video production, graphic design, CD printing layout, PR and poster design for album release
Documentation and Technical Coordination for the 2nd Annual International Conference in Deep Listening at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Troy, New York, July 2014; AV documentation of festival, program coordination, technical assistance and management for guest lecturers, workshops and performances
Founder of the RendezVU — 2007-present
Chicago, IL, San Francisco, CA, Portland OR
RendezVU is a music recording studio specializing in electronic music and post-production with facilities that include The Henderson House studio in Chicago IL and The Hill Studio in San Francisco CA
Assistant Engineer, Chicago Recording Company — 2004-2006
Chicago, IL
Assistant audio engineer for commercial radio and television spots, studio maintenance, logging and backup archiving, scheduling studio sessions and maintaining client relations
Academic
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Guest Lecturer and workshop professorship at Catalyst Institute, Berlin, Germany, 2025
Participant in Multipli-cities Symposium presentation on “Emulating Space: Orchestration in MIDI Polyphonic Expression and Physical Modeling” Panel Discussion with Ariel William Orah, moderated by Marwa Zein
Event Coordinator, Technical Assistant and Archival Assistant at the Center for the Center of Contemporary Music (CCM), Mills college, 2014-2015 Oakland, CA
Spring 2015 Teaching Assistant position as Signal Flow festival coordinator, organizing committees and delegating roles for PR, web design, fundraising and festival planning, assessing budget and programming the event
Fall 2014 Teaching Assistant position as music event coordinator at Mills College, providing archival and office organization at the Center Contemporary Music (CCM) facilities, program notes for concerts and events, public relations (PA) for the Songlines Series at Mills, poster and web design, concert hall maintenance, and backstage and concert hall organization
Workshop Lecturer, San Francisco Art Institute — 2014-2017
Organizing and teaching workshops for Paul Klein’s Introduction to Art and Technology at San Fransisco Art Institute; lecturing on digital audio workstations (DAW), music production, recording, intro to MIDI programming using Max/MSP and custom built electronic instruments in interactive music and media performance
Teaching assistant, San Francisco Art Institute — 2011
Teaching and technical assistance for Nicole Archer’s Global Foundations in Art History; grading assignments, term papers, final exams, organizing large group study sessions, and arranging office hours to guide essay topics and individual instruction
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Columbia College Chicago — 2004-2005 technical assistance for Production I and II courses; guiding students with individual and group instruction in signal processing, digital editing in DAWs, arranging lab hours at the ATC labs in Chicago, guest lecturer involving internship responsibilities at Chicago Recording Company​​​
Skills + Services
Mac OS and iOS Systems Expertise – Proficient in system maintenance, software updates, troubleshooting, technical support, and developmental integration. (Creative Software Specialist for Apple — 2003-2005)
Educational and Leadership Experience – classroom instruction, workshops, guest lectures, and collaborative academic and creative projects
Event and Festival Management – Directed live performance festivals, with responsibilities including public relations, marketing coordination, social media strategy, event documentation, and technical oversight
Interactive Music & Media Performance – Designed and implemented interactive performances utilizing custom interface controllers (MIDI, TouchOSC, Mira for Max/MSP/Jitter), motion sensors, and video-triggered installations
Audio Post-Production – Skilled in recording, mixing, and sound editing for music, film, and multimedia, including sound design and Foley production
Music Composition & Production – Experienced in digital and acoustic composition, arrangement, and performance using piano, guitar, vocals, synthesis, and sample-based production
Digital Audio Workstation (DAW) Proficiency – Extensive experience with Ableton Live, Logic Pro, Pro Tools, Audacity, GarageBand, Reason
Video & Post-Production Tools – Proficient in Adobe Premiere, After Effects, Final Cut Pro, Compressor, Color, and Motion.
Photography, Graphic, and Web Design – Skilled in Adobe Creative Suite (CC), Music Programming Languages – Experienced with Max/MSP, AppleScript, and SuperCollider (certificate from CCRMA, Stanford University)
Audio Engineering & Equipment Operation – Knowledgeable in analog, digital, inboard, and outboard studio equipment including Toft ATB 32‑channel console, Manley Voxbox preamp and compressor, Pro Tools HD systems, Control 8 MIDI mixer, Novation devices, and Ableton Push
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Custom Electronic Instrument Design – Rattle Instrument, Gremlin Controllers, 2014, Single FM Transmitting Glass Harmonica, and CrimperBox Controller 2015
Music Business & Production Management – Experienced in production planning, distribution channels, public and client relations, copywriting, and digital rights/registration processes
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Private IT for independent clients – trouble shooting, file management, one-on-one tutorials on various software, Mac OS and iOS specialist
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Education
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2015 — MFA Electronic Music Composition and Recording Media, Mills College, Oakland CA
2012 — MFA Design and Technology, San Francisco Art Institute, San Francisco CA
2005 — BA Audio Arts and Acoustics in Recording, Columbia College Chicago, Chicago IL
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Press
​​2012 — Artnet
2012 — SF Gate
2012 — Huffington Post
2012 — Examiner
2012— What Is Art Live
2009 — NPR at KUNM
2006 — New Mexico Voice
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Residencies, Exhibitions, Performances, Workshops
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2025 — Participant in Multipli-cites Symposium at Catalyst Institute, panel discussion, and workshops located at Funkhaus, Berlin Germany
2025 — Residency at Willowsnest, Berlin Germany
2025 — "HELENS" record release, orchestral composition and recording
2019 — Tele-performance of "INTRO(S)" in part of Bianca Tainsh's exhibition "RECONFIGURING THE MEME MACHINE," Blindside Gallery, Melbourne, Austalia
2019 — Collaboration with Bianca Tainish, scoring her film "Timepiece," entered in to the Queensland Regional Art Awards
2019 — Residency at La Escocesa, Barcelona, Spain, interactive media research and theater/music technologies
2018 — Performance with Frank Mauceri at Takt. KUNSTRAUM TAPIR Gallery, Berlin, Germany
2018 — “Sounding Professional” Workshop with Renee Coulombe, Willows Nest, Berlin, Germany
2018 — Solo electronic performance, Willows Nest, Berlin, Germany
2018 — Solo performance and exhibition, GlogauAIR, Berlin Germany
2018 — Residency at GlogauAIR, Berlin Germany, research project in music technology
2017 — CITY HAS NO STARS: SLIVR DREAMS , The RendezVU, 2017
2017 — Solo electronic performance, “CITY HAS NO STARS,” Analog Theater, Portland OR
2017 — Film Screening and Film Score “Sherry” Directed by Eliana Lima, Roxie Theater, San Francisco CA
2017 — Music direction and film score, “Sherry,” Directed by Eliana Lima, CalArts
2016 — Solo electronic music performance, Analog Cafe, Portland OR
2015 — Solo interactive music and video performance of “VANISH” Signal Flow MFA concert, Mills College, Oakland CA
2015 — Guest performer with John Driscoll, (David Tudor Composer-In-Residence), Mills College, Oakland CA
2015 — Solo Performance, Life Changing Ministry, Oakland CA
2014 — Album design, art direction and publication Deep Listening Band “Dunrobin Sonic Gems”, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
2014 — Guest Performer with Pauline Oliveros and Thingamajigs at Berkeley Arts Museum, Berkeley CA
2014 — Solo Performance using custom built electronic instrument “Rattle” at the Center for New Music, San Francisco CA
2014 — Solo Performance with FM Transmitter Glass Harmonica at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Troy New York
2014 — Production Coordinator and documentation for Pauline Oliveros’ “Deep Listening Room,” Whitney Biennial, Whitney Museum of Contemporary Art, New York NY
2013 — Duet Performance with Joshua Marshall “CESS/POOL” at the Northern California Performance Platform, San Francisco Art Institute, San Francisco CA
2013 — Performance California Electronic Music Exchange Concerts Performance, “CONJURE”, Mills College, Oakland CA
2013 — Collaborative performance in Kate Short’s “Oculus” installation, Mills College, Oakland CA
2012 — Studio performance of “A Bell In View”, The Hill Studio, San Francisco CA
2012 — Music direction and film score, “Leonora,” Directed by Eliane Lima
2012 — Installation and Interactive Performance, “Laid” Design and Technology Salon, San Francisco Art Institute, San Francisco, CA
2012 — Video and sound installation featured in ArtPad San Francisco “HASNT HAPPENED SINCE”, San Francisco, CA
2011 — Phantasmagoria, Swell Gallery, San Francisco Art Institute, San Francisco CA
2009 — Performance, Martyrs' Chicago, IL
2009 — Solo Performance, Elbo Room, Chicago, IL
2009 — Solo Performance and Interview, Fearless Radio, Chicago IL
2009 — Performance, Darkroom, Chicago, IL
2009 — Solo Performance, Reggies Music Joint, Chicago IL
2009 — Solo Performance, Red Line Tap, Chicago IL
2008 — Solo compilation, James Mitchell “Harvest 10”, The RendezVU, Chicago IL
2007— Solo Performance, Uncommon Ground, Chicago, IL
2007— Solo Performance, VSA North 4th Art Center, Albuquerque, NM
2006 — Solo Performance, Uncommon Ground, Chicago, IL
2007 — Solo Electronic Performance , VSA North Fourth Arts Center, Albuquerque NM
2007 — Radio Interview/In-Studio Performance, NPR at KUNM, Albuquerque NM
2006 — Solo Performance, Northeastern University, Chicago, IL
2006 — Solo compilation, James Mitchell “Resemble”, The RendezVU, Chicago IL
2006 — Radio Interview/In-Studio Performance, NPR at KUNM, Albuquerque NM
Awards
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2019 — Selected for Honorary Residency at La Escocesa, Barcelona Spain
2017 — Winner of Vanguard Award for Film Score “Sherry” Directed by Eliana Lima, SF Shorts
2015 — Mills College Music Department Community Spirit Award in Excellence in Performance
2015 — Honors Society, Mills College, MFA Program in Electronic Music and Recording Media
2014 — Certification in programming language, SuperCollider, CCRMA, Stanford University
2014 — Awarded Independent Study with Pauline Oliveros, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
2014 — Awarded Performance in Northern California Performance Platform, San Francisco Art Institute
2013 — Exhibition Award at ArtPadSF, Phoenix Hotel, San Francisco
2012 — Honors Society, San Francisco Art Institute, Graduate Program in Design and Technology
2011 — CDBaby, Outstanding Solo Album, James Mitchell “Resemble”
2005 — Dean’s List, graduated with honors, Columbia College Chicago, Undergraduate Program in Audio Arts and Acoustics
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Web Design
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References
Joseph Zednik — Managing member at Prescient Ridge Management LLC, Chicago IL, Naples FL,
Email: joe@jzednik.com Phone: 239.249.0963
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Susan Abbot Martin — Co-Founder of Seize the Year (StY), Oakland CA·,
Email: susanmartinart@gmail.com Phone: 510.430.2331
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Paul Klein — Associate Professor; Former BFA Chair Art and Technology, San Francisco Art Institute, San Francisco CA, Email: paulklein@critical.vision Phone: 323.270.4377
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BIO + CV​​
Chicago-based James Perley creates immersive sound environments that evaluates the relationships between sound, space, and audience. Now working from his studio in the Pacific Northwest, his practice centers on improvisation, open-ended composition, and performance. From 2013 to 2015, James undertook an independent study with Pauline Oliveros, resulting in several collaborative projects—including the co-production and release of his first electronic record, ”EXITR," which features Oliveros’s direct involvement on multiple pieces.
He has composed music for various films, including collaborations with directors such as Eliane Lima and George Kuchar—and is currently scoring his own film-in-progress, "Trinfecta," slated for release in 2026. Perley’s recent work includes his debut orchestral release, “HELENS".
His creative collaborations span Kate Less Short, Laetitia Sonami, Gino Robair, and Eliane Lima. He has also participated in artist residencies at GlogauAIR in Berlin and held an honorary residency at La Escocesa in Barcelona.​
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