"The poetic spirit has the power to 'retune' and reconnect a discordant, divided world. The life and essence of art--whether it be painting, music, or dance--lies in expressing through a wellspring of emotion the universal realm of the human spirit. It is a melding of the individual and the universal. That is why great art reaches out beyond ethnic and national barriers to move people all over the world."
- Daisaku Ikeda
Education
- PhD in Music Composition, University at Buffalo, 2022
Specialties / Areas of Interest
- Composition
- Sound Studies
- Interdisciplinary Performance/Composition
- Interactive Devices for Performance Applications
Biography
Matías Homar is a multifaceted guitarist, composer, sound designer, and interactive instrument maker from Salta, Argentina. Known for his innovative approach to music, he has released albums with the Imaymana Duo (2017-2021) and his experimental electronic music project Ge[r]minaciones (2022). Matías has collaborated with diverse ensembles, ranging from modern tango (Cosmo Ensemble) and children’s music (La Malagua Fosforescente) to rock (Mondongo Soho) and experimental music (Academic Complex). His works have been performed internationally by renowned groups such as the Hanatsu Miroir Ensemble (France), Arditti Quartet (England), and Signal Ensemble (US).
Live performance has been the cornerstone of Matías’ career. Over the past five years, he has focused on creating performances of his own pieces for electric guitar with live sound processing, exploring the interaction between the guitar, the body, and sound transformation through his custom interactive devices. Works like Glitch/Bending Sound (created in collaboration with dancer an0th3r.l0p3z), Vidala, Landó, and Huayno exemplify this approach, blending sound and visuals generated by his interactive glove and shoe. These pieces have been presented in a variety of settings, including concert halls, dance performances, site-specific events, and experimental music venues.
Involved in sound technology research, Matías designs and builds custom MIDI devices, including the award-winning GEP Contraption (MIDI Innovation Award 2024) and the interactive GEPedal. His recent projects include a solo harpsichord piece with live processing effects and an interactive glove for a dancer, set to debut in Ireland during the 2024 Open Futures art residency. Harpsihammnod (2023) for harpsichord and electronics was premiered on March 20th at the DME festival, Lisbon, Portugal. The same piece is being featured at the Soma Rumor, IV Encontro Latino Americano de arte sonoro in Brazil.
Courses Taught
- MUSC 120 Music Theory I
- MUSC 216 Essentials of Mixing and Recording
- MUSC 211 World Music
- MUSC 220 Music Theory II
- MUSC 205 Sound Gathering
- MUSC 281 Laptop Ensemble
