Jason Sidney Sanford

Jason Sidney Sanford is an Assistant Teaching Professor in Critical Media Practices at the University of Colorado Boulder, where he teaches at the intersection of sound, sculpture, and performance. With an MFA from the Studio for Interrelated Media at Massachusetts College of Art and a BFA in sculpture from the University of Massachusetts Amherst, Sanford brings a deeply material approach to sonic arts education.

His research interests focus on the physical nature of sound and the relationship between the sonic and the somatic. Sanford's work integrates sculpture, performance art, and DIY music culture, with particular emphasis on how sound is inherently physical and how music emerges from bodily action. He has developed a distinctive practice centered around creating sculptural musical instruments from unconventional materials, including scrap metal, household objects, and repurposed electronics.

Sanford's creative output demonstrates consistent exploration across multiple dimensions of sound art. His work with custom-built instruments reveals deep investigation into material properties and their sonic possibilities, while his performances and recordings with ensembles Neptune and E showcase innovative approaches to experimental music. Recent work like Submergent (2024) demonstrates sophisticated engagement with analog electronics, particularly through the creative use of 555 Timer IC circuits, exploring the tactile and kinesthetic qualities of electronic sound production that digital systems often obscure.

As a performer, Sanford has maintained an active international presence, with extensive touring throughout the United States and Europe. His work bridges academic inquiry with underground music scenes, creating a unique position that values both theoretical exploration and hands-on making. Through his teaching and artistic practice, Sanford emphasizes the importance of material engagement, bodily connection to sound, and the democratization of instrument building through DIY approaches.