ABOUT ALTHEA PERGAKIS
I'm an experimental musician, programmer, builder, artist and general library geek.
My focus areas include New Media Art techniques, multiple programming languages, and digital fabrication tools, as well as working on interactive interfaces and wearable technologies.
I'm the co-director of LORKAS, the Laptop Orchestra of Arizona State and Education Coordinator in the school of Arts, Media and Engineering at ASU.
I also have nine years of assorted library experience - from patron records to volunteer management to running bake sales.
I'd love to build you something weird.

COLLEGE
BA 2015 – Digital Culture, Media Processing.
studied new media art techniques, several programming languages, and digital fabrication tools. focused on interactive interfaces and wearable technologies. re-founded and co-chaired Digital Culture Underground, the undergraduate student association for the School of Arts, Media and Engineering.
FABRICATION
2015 - Digital Fabrication Assistant.
worked in the school of Arts, Media and Engineering Digital Realization Lab at Arizona State. Aided and instructed student use on laser cutters, 3D printers, CNC machines and traditional shop tools. Also was a student leader in CreatorSpace, dedicated to the idea of creating through technology and collaboration.
MUSIC
2015 - LORKAS Director
directed the Laptop Orchestra of Arizona State (lorkas). recorded album 'nodes' in 2015 (release December 1, 2015). Worked with notable figures such as Cycling 74’s Tim Place, Negativland’s Mark Hosler, IRCAM's Diemo Schwarz and experimental musician Jon Weiss. Performed at multiple ASU venues, The Firehouse (Phoenix, AZ) and The Trunk Space (Phoenix, AZ).
LIBRARY
2006+ - many roles
several roles at Tempe Public Library and the Friends of the Tempe Public Library. Managed patron records, item records, adult volunteers, youth volunteers and actual items. assisted in adult, teen and youth programming as well as fundraising activities. provided tech support for patrons and proofreading for staff.
impressed?
NOTABLE EVENTS
something said
only once
2015 Festival
Performed with Fluid Dynamics (in a new iteration with Gino Ceresia), during night two of a four day series at Firecreek Coffee in Flagstaff, AZ.
CURB CREATIVE
CONNECTION
2015 Conference
Meeting with other media-engaged college students with a similar passion for cultural enterprise and media outreach in Nashville, TN.
Grace hopper CELEBRATION OF
WOMEN IN COMPUTING
2014 Conference
Contracted by Google to host wearable technologies arts-and-crafts style demos at their sponsored after-party/mixer for professional women in engineering fields.
OH MY GOD MY BODY MY EARS
MARATHON CONCERT
2015 Concert - 8 hour
2016 Concert - 10 hour
Performed both with lorkas and with new instrument Fluid Dynamics (with Gino Ceresia) at The Trunk Space in Phoenix, AZ (2015) and the Mesa Art Center in Mesa, AZ (2016).
OH MY EARS
MAKER INSTRUMENT CHALLENEGE
2014 Winner - Fluid Dynamics
2015 Winner - Mechanical Synth
Two Time Winner (with Gino Ceresia) in a head-to-head DIY instrument challenge.
Mixed medium mixed theme
(MMMT)
2016 - Sound Installation
Hosted Fluid Dynamics as an interactive sound installation in an exhibition of up-and-coming new artists at the Phoenix Center for the Arts in Phoenix, AZ.
gallery
PRESS
- 91.5 KJZZ Phoenix: ASU Group Making Music... With Laptops. February 26, 2016.
- FOX 10 Phoenix: LORKAS on the Saturday Morning Edition. January 2, 2016.
- The State Press: ASU's laptop orchestra challenges conventional approach to music. November 22, 2015
- ASU Now: Laptop Orchestra Pushes Buttons and Boundries. November 4, 2015
- Downtown Devil: Nonprofit fosters creativity and community with instrument making challenge. November 10, 2015 (incl video)
- Ska, Punk and Other Junk: Episode 44. August 31, 2015 (Radio Show)