Quran Karriem

CV

EDUCATION

DUKE UNIVERSITY — PH.D, COMPUTATIONAL MEDIA, ARTS & CULTURES, 2023

  • Concentrations:
    • Algorithms and Bias
    • History and Philosophy of Technology
    • Machine Learning and Artificial Intelligence
    • Machine Listening and Procedural Audio
    • Performance Technology and Physical Computing
    • Interactivity and Human Perception

SAVANNAH COLLEGE OF ART AND DESIGN — M.F.A., SOUND DESIGN, 2011

  • Concentrations: Human-Computer Interaction, Game Sound, Audio Programming, Computer Music, Digital Signal Processing, Sound Design, Interaction Design
  • Thesis: The Functions of Dynamic Audio: Telling Tales in Virtual Environments

UNIVERSITY OF GEORGIA — B. MUS., MUSIC COMPOSITION (MAGNA CUM LAUDE), 2004

  • Honors: University of Georgia Hugh Hodgson School of Music Fellowship; Honors Program Fellowship; Georgia HOPE Scholarship
  • Concentrations: Music Theory, Electronic, Electroacoustic and Computer Music

EXPERIENCE

POSTDOCTORAL ASSOCIATE, SAMUEL DUBOIS COOK CENTER ON SOCIAL EQUITY, DUKE UNIVERSITY (2023-Pres.)

AUDIO TECHNOLOGY FACULTY, AMERICAN UNIVERSITY (2014—2017)

  • Developed curriculum, lectured and advised student projects for digital signal processing and synthesis courses in Pure Data and SuperCollider
  • Developed an online curriculum and managed sound synthesis courses remotely
  • Created review materials covering the fundamentals of physics, trigonometry, calculus and computer science in the context of music and audio utilities and applications

PRODUCT MANAGER, REVERBNATION (2015—2016)

  • Conducted market research in support of new music software product development
  • Conducted usability research and competitive analysis to iteratively improve existing music software products
  • Launched a music discovery experience featuring the most promising emerging musicians
  • Served as product owner for talent discovery processes connecting emerging musicians with record label representatives and major festival promoters
  • Led a homepage redesign that increased artist and fan registrations and more effectively communicated platform value to musicians and their fans

PROGRAM COORDINATOR, FUSION YOUTH RADIO (2014—2015)

  • Led an oral history and audio production program for local youth
  • Trained high-school students in audio recording, editing, and live broadcast techniques
  • Managed broadcast schedule of a monthly radio show
  • Facilitated consensus-building and youth-led decision-making around show topic selection and script development
  • Secured grant funding for equipment purchases and an all-expense-paid trip to the Allied Media Conference in Detroit, MI for 12 youth

SOUND DESIGNER, LITTLE GREEN PIG THEATRICAL CONCERN (2011—2013)

  • Created sound effects, music and ambience for a number of theatre productions at Manbites Dog Theater in Durham, NC
  • Worked with directors and designers on the sonic direction for multiple critically- acclaimed productions
  • Developed custom audio hardware/software installations to support unique set designs
  • Configured and maintained theater audio equipment throughout production runs
  • Researched and advised procurement of new equipment

URBAN PLANET MEDIA & ENTERTAINMENT (2008—2015; multiple roles)

VICE PRESIDENT, PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT (2012 – 2015)
  • Planned product strategy in conjunction with other members of executive team
  • Oversaw the development and scalable deployment of mobile and web- based audio applications, content and products
  • Brought multiple products from idea stage to revenue generation and international recognition
DIRECTOR, MOBILE CONTENT (2010—2012)
  • Envisioned, specified and managed the production of language learning and vocabulary applications
  • Expanded content distribution from mobile networks to web and native mobile applications
  • Facilitated product launches in dozens of countries with several mobile carrier networks
CREATIVE AND TECHNICAL DIRECTOR (2009—2010)
  • Designed and managed construction of a media production suite
  • Designed, developed and maintained all company web properties
  • Researched and executed all equipment acquisitions
  • Hired, trained, managed and supervised all design and technology personnel
  • Coordinated all product launches with technology teams at partner organizations
LEAD AUDIO ENGINEER AND MUSIC PRODUCER (2008 – 2009)
  • Recorded, mixed, mastered and catalogued an audio language learning library
  • Composed and produced original music to accompany educational content
  • Directed all vocal performances during recording sessions

SOUND DESIGN TUTOR, SAVANNAH COLLEGE OF ART AND DESIGN (2007–2008)

  • Mentored graduate and undergraduate sound design students in remedial and extracurricular studies in Pro Tools, digital signal processing (including compression, EQ and noise removal) and music theory

MUSIC TECHNOLOGY LAB ASSISTANT, UNIVERSITY OF GEORGIA (2003–2005)

  • Assisted with maintenance of recording equipment, including amplifiers, microphones, and monitors
  • Maintained a computer lab of 30 Apple workstations
  • Assisted students in the use of music notation, MIDI and recording software

AWARDS/HONORS

  • Summer 2018 Artist-in-Residence, Rubenstein Arts Center
  • 2018 Duke Innovation & Entrepreneurship Award
  • Society of Duke Fellows
  • Dean’s Graduate Fellowship, Duke University
  • Combined Honors Fellowship, Savannah College of Art & Design
  • Presidential Scholar, University of Georgia
  • 2011 Application Developer of the Year, Frost & Sullivan
  • 2012 Cool Vendor in Education, Gartner Research
  • 2011 Best Innovation in Mobile Learning, GSM Association
  • 2013 All Children Reading Grand Challenge Winner, USAID
  • Best Sound Design, Independent Weekly
  • Best Design, Independent Weekly
  • National Merit Scholar

PERFORMANCES, EXHIBITIONS & INVITED LECTURES

  • Interfaces: AfroFuturism + Performance + Technology (Lecturer), May 19th, 2018, 21c Museum Hotel, Moogfest, Durham, NC
  • …these borders that keep me down… (Wearable Interface Designer, Composer, Sound Designer/Engineer), May 18th & 19th, 2018, von der Heyden Theater, Moogfest, Durham, NC
  • Embodied Kinesonics: Interface, Transformation & Disappearance (Lecturer), April 6th, 2018, Virginia Polytechnic Institute, Blacksburg, VA
  • White Privilege (Sound Artist), February 28th, 2018, UC Riverside, NOT Festival, Riverside, CA
  • sound/play/space (Artist, Lecturer), February 3rd & 23rd, 2018, Rubenstein Art Center, Durham, NC
  • Sensory Leakage (Artist, Programmer), February 16th, 2018, Smith Warehouse, Durham, NC
  • White Privilege (Sound Artist), January 15th, 2018, Gibney Dance, American Realness Festival, Manhattan, NY
  • endings (Artist, Lecturer), September 22nd, 2017, Smith Warehouse, Durham, NC
  • Of Wings & Feet (Composer, Musician), August – September 2017, Chapel Hill, Raleigh, & Greensboro, NC
  • Open Source Virtual Drum Machines (Lecturer), June 15th, 2017, Wayne State University, Allied Media Conference, Detroit, MI
  • Derklownschpankenaffekt (Sound Designer), March 21 – April 6, 2013, Manbites Dog Theater, Durham, NC
  • In On It (Sound Designer), May 24 – June 9, 2012, Manbites Dog Theater, Durham, NC
  • Cape Disappointment (Sound Designer), March 29 – April 14, 2012, Manbites Dog Theater, Durham, NC
  • Donald (Sound Designer), January 26 – February 11, 2012, Manbites Dog Theater, Durham, NC