Dafna Naphtali

Dafna Naphtali, (Brooklyn), computer-musician, vocalist, composer/performer and improviser, creates experimental electro-acoustic music, developing custom software for each project. Her eclectic musical background (jazz, contemporary classical, rock, near-eastern music) informs work with live sound-processing of acoustic instruments and voice, with music robots, Disklavier, multi-channel sound, audio-augmented-reality soundwalks, and interpretations of Cage, Stockhausen and others. She collaborates with well-regarded musicians, video-artists, and dancer/choreographers, performing and presenting work internationally. Dafna’s focus on duo projects allows her to systematically explore the aesthetics of live sound-processing as a performative instrument in improvisation. She’s released 10 recordings of duos, compositions and her trio What is it Like a Bat? with Kitty Brazelton, plus numerous tracks on compilations in a wide range of musical genres. Her multichannel sound performances and installations include “Audio Chandelier: Polyélaios”, a kinetic sound sculpture collaboration with metalsmith/designer Ayala Naphtali, exhibited on Governors Island May-Aug 2021 by Harvestworks. Her soundwalks “Walkie Talkie Dreams”, (in GPS-aware smartphone apps), are for locations in New York and Germany. She’s received support/commissions from Brooklyn Arts Council, NYSCA, Foundation for Contemporary Arts, Franklin Furnace, American Composers Forum, American Music Center, and three NYFA Fellowships (2001/2013/2022). Dafna is long-time adjunct faculty at NYU and New School.