January 22, 2026

How does your Field Work Term relate to your studies at Bennington?

This Field Work Term has put a spotlight on experimental sound art and electronic music, which has been of interest all throughout my time at Bennington, but which has rarely been at the forefront of my attention. Giving this type of innovative work in music (and multimedia) a more direct focus has been one of the most exciting and rewarding parts of my time at Bennington, as it has demonstrated the vastness of possibility in non-traditional art forms.

However, as the organization pushes the boundaries between art and science, it also serves as a reminder of the degree to which artistic craft, particularly that which strives to be on the cutting edge of possibility, is indebted to the work of the STEM fields. Although my focus is usually on the humanities, seeing the confluence of technology and art in action helps to see the two less as opposing poles and more as potential collaborative forces.

What does a typical day at your Field Work Term site look like? 

I have been living at my home in New Jersey and taking the train in, so one of the early challenges was figuring out my route of transportation each day I went in to work at the office. In the earlier weeks, I have focused on archiving and digitizing the massive collection of physical media documenting all of the recorded art made at or in association with Harvestworks.

As time has progressed, I have been doing more work in audio engineering using the studio's myriad capabilities and helping with the process of revamping the website. One of the company's current goals for its online presence is striving for greater transparency and accessibility in regards to what it does, and going through so many examples of the organization’s work has helped widen my sense of what is possible with electronic art.

What has surprised you most about your Field Work Term position?

Though I was aware of Harvestworks' focus on interdisciplinary and varied forms of media with their use of digital tools as a unifying factor going into it, it was striking to me how skilled their other interns there were in all things electronic. This was incredibly valuable, as I have picked up some technical knowledge that otherwise might not have been as readily applicable in an academic setting.

Since I have often considered my skill set to be more attuned to the arts and humanities, rather than mathematics and the natural sciences, this experience has helped bridge the gap somewhat and demonstrated the ready-made uses of technological functions for artistic ends.

What do you hope to do for your next Field Work Term?

My hope for my next Field Work Term is to continue down the path of sound design, whether it be in audio engineering, composing electronically, or practicing recording. These skills are just as fundamental to what I hope to accomplish in my career in music as playing an instrument or learning theory. Between the intensity of all the performing that I do at school, the discipline and patience required for sound recording and mixing needs, and deserves, some time unto itself in order to be honed in the same way that other musical skills are developed through practice.