His main research areas are physics-based models for sound synthesis, human perception of sound, audio at the human-computer interface, and devices and systems for interactive sound control and artistic performance. He has a BA in music (studying voice and electronic music) from the University of Missouri at the Kansas City Conservatory of Music and a BSEE in engineering from the University of Missouri. He also has a PhD in electrical engineering from Stanford University, where he was technical director of the Center for Computer Research in Music and Acoustics.