Senior Lecturer, Audio Production

Dirk Johan Stromberg

dirk_johan_stromberg
  • Master of Music in Composition, Brooklyn College, US
  • Bachelor of Music in Composition, Texas Tech University, US

Dirk Stromberg specialises in creative technology and multidisciplinary performance and production. His research focuses on live production, improvisation, human engagement in technologically mediated music-making and the development of hybrid electroacoustic instruments. He has presented his work internationally at NIME, IEEE, ICMC, NowNet Arts Conference, and Moers Festival, with performances across the US, Europe, Asia and Australia.

Dirk’s artistic practice treats improvisation as both a compositional method and a philosophical approach, drawing influence from Anthony Braxton, Evan Parker and Peter Brötzmann. His performances investigate emergent sonic ecologies through real-time interaction, extended techniques and open-form structures. He designs and builds instruments such as the Fryprone, Strombophone and Phallophone—lightweight, versatile tools that expand expressive potential and embody open-source principles.

An active performer and collaborator, Stromberg is a founding member of several ensembles, including Telepæsants (with Michal Seta), Davilakn (with Mahakit Mahaniranon), Lore of Ghosts (with Tim O’Dwyer), Scirk (with Scott Wilson) and Classism (with Paul Tiavongsuvan). His discography includes Borderless Field, Primitive Touch, and Images of Ascension, reflecting a practice grounded in experimentation, distributed performance and digital luthieries.

Dirk was the former Head of Music at the School of the Arts, Singapore, and was previously  on the teaching faculty at Istanbul Bilgi University. He was a co-founder and co-director of the Duong Dai Festival in Vietnam.

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Peer-reviewed presentations (recent select)

  • ‘Telepæsants with Jocelyn Ho – Telematic Performance Presentation’, NIME, Australian National University (2025)
  • ‘Telepæsants – Telematic Performance Presentation’, IEEE, Internet of Sounds 2 (IS2) Conference 2024; Erlagen, Germany (2024)
  • ‘Telepæsants with Jocelyn Ho – Telematic Performance Presentation’, Australian Computer Music Conference 2024, Australian Institute of Music; Sydney, Australia (2024)
  • ‘Telepæsants – Telematic Performance and Presentations’, NowNet Arts (Eastern and Western) Conferences 2024, hybrid; Singapore, Australia, US, Belgium (2024)
  • ‘Telepæsants – Telematic Performance and Presentation’, Australian Jazz and Improvisation Research Network 2024, Monash University; Melbourne, Australia (2024)
  • ‘RedSpills – Tele-adventures – Conference Presentation’, NowNet Arts Eastern Conference 2024, hybrid; Singapore, Australia (2024)

International festivals and tours (recent select)

  • Solo and ensemble performances, South by Southeast Asia Tour 2025, Khalaistiwa (Kuala Lumpur), Hidden Sessions (Singapore), DreamSpace (Batticaloa, Sri Lanka), MusicMatters (Colombo, Sri Lanka), Soul Ink (Colombo, Sri Lanka), Culture Cafe (Batticaloa, Sri Lanka)
  • ‘Tempos – Solo Performance for Fryprone, lighting and video’, APEC Improvisations Symposium 2025, Yong Siew Toh Conservatory, National University of Singapore; Singapore
  • Lecture recital, Braxton Musical Language Types and Relational Material 2024, Bansomdejchaopraya Rajabhat University; Thailand
  • Lore of Ghosts, Kuala Lumpur Experimental Film and Music Festival 2024; Malaysia
  • Telepæsants Multimedia Telematic Performances, Telepaesants Telematic Tour 2024, PIKSEL Festival (Norway), BEAMS Festival (Canada), SPAM Multimedia Festival (US)
  • Davilakn improvised duo performances, Davilakn Singapore/Malaysia Tour 2024; Malacca, Kuala Lumpur and Penang, Malaysia
  • Dirk Dirk in Brussels, Dirk (Fryprone), Dirk (Drums), Fly Studio; Brussels, Belgium
  • Bangkok Tour, Dirk Stromberg and Collaborators, Yellow Lane, Noise House Lat Phrao, Jam Cafe, 3 Layers 3F, Goethe Institute; Thailand
  • Music in Research Singapore, Symposium, Twilight Phenomenon; Singapore

Curated series

  • Hidden Session

A series of sessions dedicated to improvised and new music hosted at LASALLE College of the Arts. Each concert is a platform for local musicians and students to interact with international artists. Guests have included artists from Asia, Europe and the US (2022–present).

  • Third Space Session

Curated in collaboration with The Sa Collective. Each session explores sonic interactions and collaborations with the National Arts Council, broadcast and Virtual Reality presentations (2018–2020).

  • Doung Dai Festival

New Music Festival ran in Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi with a focus  on contemporary compositions. Guest artists from the US, Europe and Asia included Jonas Baes (Philippines), Kamran Ince (Turkey) and Bright Sheng (China/US), among many others. The festival was supported by the Ho Chi Minh City Conservatory, the US Consulate in Ho Chi Minh City as well as a number of local businesses over the years (2007–2017).

  • Audio/sound
  • Live production
  • Synthesis
  • Immersive performance
  • Multi-channel audio systems
  • Virtual acoustics
  • Instrument design
  • Recording