I conceived, designed and built HOOLA while completing my MA in Music Technology at Tulane from 2009-2011. Various iterations of this light-controlled electronic instrument led to the final version, which features 24 sensors within the hoop which can be used to trigger midi notes, samples, and control other electronic media including videos.
This demonstration video was used to demonstrate the controller’s capabilities to the Georgia Tech Guthman Musical Instrument Competition jury. I competed in this contest in 2011 along with colleagues from Tulane.
HOOLA is a microtonal and polyrhythmic piece, composed for a set of five electronic instruments made of hula hoops, designed and built by the composer Peter Leonard. This performance features the composer and David Hyman at Loyola University in New Orleans, LA.
