Eric Leonardson

Experience

• 

  Eric Leonardson

  Jan 1980 - now

  Artist, composer, performer, educator

  Make. Listen. Sift. Reflect. Arrange. Bow. Solder. Study. Perform. Speak. Build. Curate. Touch. Feel. Engineer.

• 

  Warmer by the Stove, Lotus Music

  Jan 1982 - Jan 1996

  Sound Artist

  Live performance on Springboard, a self-built instrument made in 1994

• 

  Various clients

  Jun 1984 - Jan 2009

  Recording technician

  Freelance recording technician from 1984 to present

• 

  Experimental Sound Studio

  Apr 1986 - Feb 1992

  Founding member, Radio Program Director

  Communications, marketing, planning, distribution, grant writing

• 

  Lincoln Park Children's Museum, Francis Parker Elementary School, Illinois Wesleyan University

  Jun 1988 - Jun 1988

  Visiting Artist

  Workshop on making contact microphones, producing new and usual sounds from from everyday objects and materials

• 

  Mary Murphie Middle School

  Oct 1988 - Oct 1988

  Visiting Artist

  Workshop on making contact microphones

• 

  Sounds From Chicago

  Jan 1989 - Jan 1992

  Radio Program Director

  Coordinating a curated radio series by artists from Chicago's diverse arts communities, distributed free for broadcast locally, nationally, and internationally by Experimental Sound Studio (ESS)

• 

  World Forum for Acoustic Ecology

  Aug 1993 - now

  Represent the WFAE; provide the presence and voice of the organization; participate in and maintain an overview of the activities of Journal Editorial Committee and other ad hoc committees; chair board meetings (online and offline); respond to questions and requests for information about WFAE; ensure that the WFAE name is protected and that administrative operations are legal and robust; write letters of support and quarterly reports for each issue of the online WFAE Newsletter. This is an unpaid volunteer position. Show less The World Forum for Acoustic Ecology (WFAE), founded in 1993, is an international interdisciplinary Association of Organisations (in collaboration with active individuals) from around the world who correspond with and assist each other to actuate and maintain activities pertaining to Acoustic Ecology.As Acoustic Ecology is the study of the relationship between living organisms and their sonic environment (soundscape), the WFAE will draw attention to unhealthy imbalances in this relationship, encourage and promote improvement of the acoustic quality of a place wherever possible and to protect and maintain acoustically balanced soundscapes where they still exist. The President is responsible for the general and active management of the affairs of the WFAE, and presides at all meetings of the WFAE and of the Board, as a non-voting chair unless a tied Board vote, requires the President to cast a tiebreaker vote. Show less

  • President

    Jul 2012 - now

  • President at World Forum for Acoustic Ecology

    Jul 2012 - Mar 2023

  • Founding Member

    Aug 1993 - May 2021
• 

  Prop Thtr.

  Jan 1994 - Jan 2000

  Sound Designer

  Created original sounds in live and recorded form for theater productions: Never Come Morning, One Thousand and One Afternoons In Chicago, and Fatzer: Demise of the Egotist

• 

  Plasticene theater company, Chicago

  Jan 1995 - Apr 2012

  Founding Member

  Create original soundscape compositions using electronic and self-built instruments with field recordings, and signal processing to produce the signature mood and shape of all of Plasticene's 18 original theater productions.

• 

  Plasticene

  Aug 1995 - Apr 2012

  Sound Designer, Composer, Performer

  Plasticene is a Chicago-based physical theater company through a unique five step process: Resource, Exploration, Scoring, Performance, and Exchange.http://www.plasticene.com/

• 

  WMSE-FM

  Jun 1996 - Jan 1996

  Alternating Currents

  Live radio performance hosted by Hal Rammel

• 

  Red Room

  Jan 1997 - Jan 1998

  Sound Artist

  Live performance on Springboard, a self-built instrument made in 1994

• 

  Steppenwolf Theater, Chicago

  Jan 1997 - Jan 1998

  Sound Designer

  I designed sound for two productions at the Steppenwolf Studio Theater, Plasticene's "Door Slam", directed by Dexter Bullard, and Latino Chicago Theater's "Fur", directed by Ralph Flores.

• 

  EAPS @ iEAR Studios

  Mar 1999 - Mar 1999

  Visiting Artist

  performing with Carol Genetti and Andrea Polli

• 

  HighWire Gallery

  May 1999 - May 1999

  Creative Musician

  One of numerous improvised, experimental music performances, including concerts presented by New Music Circle, Forum for Contemporary Art, St. LouisSpaces, ClevelandSpirits and Shadows, Field Museum Millennium Project, ChicagoThe MadLab, Columbus

• 

  Harold Washington College

  Jan 2000 - Jan 2000

  Adjunct Faculty

  Teaching digital sound course

• 

  Inter-Arts

  Jan 2004 - Jan 2005

  Adjunct Faculty

  Taught a course called "Sound Image"

• 

  New Adventures In Sound Art (NAISA)

  Jan 2005 - Jan 2005

  Visiting artist

  Create a new sound-based performance for live stage perfiormance with Anna Friz, Evalyn Parry, and Chris Brookes, for the Radio Without Borders comference

• 

  Office of Student Affairs, School of the Art Institute of Chicago

  Sept 2007 - now

  Faculty Adviser

  • Serve as the assigned faculty academic advisor for a group of first year transfer students: meet individually with students and with the group (e.g. Research Studio visits), advise through e-mail/portal and serve as a resource for the Research Studio faculty• Meet one-on-one with students to assist them with the construction of the best possible educational experience• Help with course selection, problem solving techniques, and planning skills to ensure the value of students’ educational experience• Run degree audits and advise students on degree requirements for all SAIC degree programs offered• Initiate direct contact with students who receive course progress reports, those who are in cancelled courses, those who are returning from leave of absence or suspension, and those who do not pre-register for the upcoming semester• Teach students about the necessary skills needed to be a successful student (openness to difference, mediating conflict, class attendance, promptness, active participation, involvement in the community)• Facilitate leave of absence and reinstatement procedures• Discuss Academic Review and Refund Review appeal procedures with students • Assist students with course add/drops and course withdrawal• Talk with students individually about personal, health, financial and academic issues related to student’s overall experience and satisfaction and refer to the appropriate resourcesPeer Advising• Assist faculty or staff from other departments who have concerns about a studentCollaborative Departmental Responsibilities• Communication – Maintain regular contact with appropriate resources to ensure effective operation of Academic Advising and Student Success; communicate students issues and crises to OSA staff as appropriate; advocate for students by communicating about and assisting to address student needs and concerns; provide written reports as requested. • Student Issues/Crisis Management – Assist as needed Show less

• 

  World Listening Project

  Jul 2008 - May 2021

  Executive Director

  The World Listening Project is a 501c3 non-profit organization founded in July 2008 to promote various listening practices, field recording, phonography, activity and awareness in soundscapes, and Acoustic Ecology.

• 

  Midwest Society for Acoustic Ecology

  Feb 2009 - now

  Founder, President

  The Midwest Society for Acoustic Ecology (MSAE) is dedicated to exploring the role of sound in natural habitats and human societies, and promoting public dialogue concerning the identification, preservation, and restoration of natural and cultural sound environments, and the U.S. affiliate of the World Forum for Acoustic Ecology founded in 1993.

• 

  Canadian Association for Sound Ecology

  Jun 2009 - Jun 2009

  Presenter

  Invited presentation about the World Listening Project for the 4th International Soundscape Retreat & Symposium: Negotiating Space/Place In the Changing Soundscape, from June 12-14 on Gabriola Island, British Columbia. Organized by Canadian Association for Sound Ecology (CASE), transcript published in 2013 at http://www.soundecology.ca/

• 

  American Society for Acoustic Ecology

  Jan 2010 - Jan 2012

  President

  Providing leadership for the American Society for Acoustic Ecology (ASAE), a membership organization dedicated to exploring the role of sound in natural habitats and human societies, and promoting public dialogue concerning the identification, preservation, and restoration of natural and cultural sound environments. The ASAE is the US affiliate of the World Forum for Acoustic Ecology, founded August 13, 1994.

• 

  School of the Art Institute of Chicago

  Sept 2011 - now

  Chair the Part Time Concerns Committee, serve as a voting member on CurriculumCommittee, Academic Steering Committee, Remuneration & BenefitsCommittee, Fiscal Affairs Committee, serve as a voting member onAdjunct Promotions Review, Faculty Enrichment Grants/Sabbatical/PaidLeave Review, serve as a voting member on ad hoc sub-committees ascircumstances require, attend Department Heads meetings, organize andlead All PT Faculty Meetings (one each semester), and when requiredpresent in the All Faculty meetings (one each semester). Part TimeConcerns Committee chairperson tasks include moderating thecommittee's meetings, coordinate meetings with Part Time Faculty Repsto decide/define meeting agendas, produce and disseminate agendas tocommittee members, produce and post minutes of Part Time ConcernsCommittee meetings. Show less

  • Associate Professor, Adjunct

    Jan 1997 - now

  • Adjunct Associate Professor

    Jan 1997 - May 2021

  • Part Time Faculty Representative at Large

    Sept 2011 - Dec 2012
• 

  Amherst College

  Jan 2013 - May 2013

  Copeland Fellow

  This year’s Copeland Colloquium program, Art in Place/the Place of Art, will be the sixth under an interdisciplinary theme-based structure. The program will bring an exciting lineup of artists and performances to campus. A full spectrum of theater, dance, music, film, and visual arts will be represented in the visitors and programming, comprising a variety of approaches to the relationship of art and place. Site-specific work, art related to the environment, art springing from community, creativity across borders and frontiers, and the art being created in our own academic environment will be presented and discussed. A wide geographic range of artists and work will catalyze a year-long discussion of how place continues to matter in an interconnected world. Show less

• 

  B3 Autumn School

  Sept 2014 - Oct 2014

  Artistic Director

  Gave keynote with Project Director, Sabine Breitsameter, and led two workshops. One for a children's Hörspiel making and the other on “Spatial Sound” using innovative approaches with the new 3D Spatial Sound Wave system by Fraunhofer Institute.

• 

  Chicago Park District

  Apr 2016 - May 2021

  The 606 Artist in Residence

  ● Activate the 606 with community driven arts programming.● Use art works/programming as a vehicle to imagine civic participation in public parks.● Consult and engage communities in the art works created.● Increase everyday participation in park space● Activate parks as sites for creative learning and civic engagement● Deepen local artists’ understanding of how audience engagement (and notions of collaborating with community) works in park spaces● Offer new opportunities for collaboration between park staff, local artists, and park users Show less