KMFA Offbeat Concert Series Presents
A Soundpainting Collaboration of Live Music Compositions
Created in Real Time with Austin Unconducted & Andrea Ariel Dance Theatre
KMFA Classical 89.5’s Offbeat Concert Series continues its commitment to adventurous, boundary-pushing performance with an extraordinary new collaboration between Austin Unconducted and Andrea Ariel Dance Theatre. A Soundpainting Collaboration of Live Music Compositions will take place Friday, February 6 and Saturday, February 7, 2026, at the KMFA Draylen Mason Music Studio (41 Navasota Street), presented in collaboration with Andrea Ariel Dance Theatre as part of the KMFA Offbeat Concert Series. Tickets on sale now and are available at kmfa.org/offbeat.
Led by Soundpainter and choreographer Andrea Ariel, this immersive evening features nine ensemble members of Austin Unconducted’s string orchestra creating original music live and, in the moment, using Soundpainting—a universal, multidisciplinary sign language for composing in real time. Each performance will unfold as a one-of-a-kind experience, shaped through gestures, cues, and spontaneous interaction among musicians, Soundpainter, and audience.
Audiences are invited inside the creative process, witnessing music as it is formed, sculpted, and transformed before their eyes. The program consists of three approximately 20-minute works, each composed live through Soundpainting. These pieces may incorporate “palettes” drawn from selected musical excerpts, as well as spatial “configurations” that bring a choreographic dimension into the performance, with musicians moving throughout the space. One work will be inspired directly by audience input, gathered through written prompts before the performance, and Soundpainting may also invite spontaneous audience participation through voice or movement—bringing the entire room into the composition.
Austin Unconducted is widely recognized for its innovative, musician-led approach to orchestral music, performing without a conductor and relying instead on non-verbal communication such as breath, body language, and eye contact. This ethos aligns seamlessly with Soundpainting’s collaborative, real-time creation, making the partnership both a natural fit and a bold artistic experiment. For Austin Unconducted’s musicians, this marks their first engagement with Soundpainting, opening new pathways for improvisation, connection, and collective creation.
“Live composing adds mystery, increases anticipation, and elevates excitement,” says Andrea Ariel. “We hope to inspire an engaging experience that is inclusive, creative, and energetic—an intimate community space where daring playfulness, participation, and connection spark pure delight.”
Each evening begins with a 6:00 p.m. pre-performance talk with the artists, followed by the 7:00 p.m. performance and an 8:00 p.m. Mixer & Reception, offering audiences the opportunity to connect with the musicians and creative team.
This performance is a world premiere, presenting an entirely new Soundpainting collaboration between Andrea Ariel Dance Theatre and Austin Unconducted. While Soundpainting with string orchestras is more commonly seen in Europe, this project represents a rare and distinctive exploration within the U.S.
KMFA “Offbeat Concert Series” | Austin Unconducted and Andrea Ariel Dance Theatre
A Soundpainting Collaboration of Live Music Compositions
Friday, February 6 and Saturday, February 7, 2026| 7:00 p.m. Performance
Draylen Mason Music Studio at KMFA | 41 Navasota Street | Austin, TX 78702
Information and tickets: kmfa.org/offbeat
All tickets include complimentary beverages provided by Tito’s Handmade Vodka, Milam & Greene Whiskey, WildGins Co., Dos Cuernos Tequila, Twin Liquors, and Brewtorium Brewery & Kitchen, along with a post-performance reception featuring light bites. Guests are invited to linger, connect with the artists, and continue the conversation following each performance as part of KMFA’s signature Offbeat Concert Series experience.
TICKETS: General admission tickets $35; student/senior/veteran/artist tickets $25; youth (under 18) $10; weekend pass (both performances) $50. Seating is limited; advance ticket reservations are highly encouraged. Tickets are available now at kmfa.org/offbeat.
