MEET THE GURUS
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Dr Chris Rhodes
Founder/ Chief Executive Officer Dr Chris Rhodes is a Lecturer in Digital Media Production at UCL, Research Fellow (Visiting Academic) at the University of Manchester and founder of Guru. His research is practice-led and seeks to provoke the line between science and musical composition. He navigates this by investigating how wearable technologies can allow us to engage with digital technologies (e.g. VR) in ways which give us new creative methods, as a result. His research interests lie with Interactive Music Composition, Human-Computer Interaction (HCI), Machine Learning, AI, Extended Reality (VR,AR, MR), Game Design and Game Engines for Music Composition. In his spare time he enjoys composing music, being outdoors, running and quality time with family and friends.
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Dr Hongshuo Fan
Chief Technology Officer Dr Hongshuo Fan 范弘硕 is a Chinese cross-disciplinary composer, new media artist, and creative programmer who holds a PhD in Electroacoustic Composition from the University of Manchester. He is a research software engineer at PRiSM (RNCM) and a research associate at UoM. He has extensive experience in creating real-time interactive multimedia content, such as acoustic instruments, live electronics, generative visuals, light, and body movements. Hongshuo is particularly interested in the fusion of traditional culture and cutting-edge technology in the context of contemporary art. His research interest is to explore new avenues in music and art, leveraging machine learning and AI to create innovative works.
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Jamie Rhodes
Chief Business Development Officer Jamie is a Former ESG ratings analyst and investor relations specialist with a background working at leading financial institutions in Tokyo and London. He is currently the business development executive at an innovative nature tech start-up, supporting fundraising and spearheading expansion into overseas markets. He holds postgraduate qualifications in Ecology and International Relations.
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Laura Beesley
General Secretary Laura is our general secretary and is also responsible for leading our social networking and public outreach operations. She has experience leading social projects and is passionate about our aim to widen accessibility to music education. Laura is your first point of contact for any questions or feedback, and will be one of the team members representing us at networking events, so feel free to say hello. She enjoys art, live music, being outdoors and being around animals, as well as spending time with loved ones.
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Nico Garcia-Penguinho
Data and Insights Analyst Nico is a passionate musician with an obsession for computer music and music technology. He is currently pursuing a Masters degree in Electroacoustic Composition and Interactive Media at NOVARS, at the University of Manchester. Nico is interested in pursuing academics in music and computer science related fields further, but is still in the process of carving out a specific research interest. Outside of academia, Nico enjoys creating music, audio visual and multimedia projects, individually and with friends, as well as outdoor activities, sports and cooking.
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Prof. Richard Allmendinger
AI Advisor Richard is Associate Dean for Business Engagement, Civic & Cultural Partnerships of the Faculty of Humanities, and Professor of Applied Artificial Intelligence at The University of Manchester. He is also co-Lead of the North West Productivity Forum, External Examiner for Warwick Business School, Senior Member of the IEEE, Vice-Chair of the IEEE Bioinformatics and Bioengineering Technical Committee, Editorial Board Member of several international journals, Senior Scientist at Eharo, and AI Advisor for Guru AI (an AI-driven music education spin-out) and River Capital, a private equity business managing the first dedicated AI fund in the North of UK.
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Prof. Ricardo Climent
Music Advisor Ricardo is a Professor of Interactive Music Composition at University of Manchester, UK, where he started NOVARS in 2007 and served as director since then. He moved to Manchester from SARC, the Sonic Arts Research Centre at Queens University, Belfast, where he was music staff for five years. His experience working at these two state-of-the-art Computer Music Centres in UK placed him in a privileged position to understand the complexities of working at the intersections of Music, Science and Engineering. He likes cycling and meeting friends (to play ping-pong, buy DDR stuff or eat Vietnamese food). He used to jump hurdles (athletics), run cross-country and practice windsurfing. He enjoys encrypting things. In 2011 he joined the 'cycle to work' scheme and deeply regret not having done this before!
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