MUSIC MAKING for All!

What is Harmonic Drift?

HARMONIC DRIFT is a mobile, participatory sound installation built from gongs, percussion, and found objects — designed for festivals, celebrations, and creative gatherings.

Built with reclaimed and reused materials, HARMONIC DRIFT centers sustainability, expression, and collective play.

Multiple simultaneous Sound-Makers w/o Amplification

DESIGNED TO MOVE, ADAPT, AND PARADE

INTERACTIVE, PARTICIPATORY, AND EXPLORATORY - FOR ALL AGES!

PAST COLLABORATIONS & Presentations

  • Gardens of Golden Gate Park

  • Joshua Tree Music Festival

  • San Francisco Dia de los Muertos

  • New Music Bay Area (Garden of Memory)

  • New Orleans Giant Puppet Festival

  • SF Decompression

  • SF Salon Music

  • Spire the Church

  • Gamelan Sekar Jaya

  • Burning Man

  • YOUTOPIA

  • SF Night of Ideas

  • Ace Makerspace

FOOTPRINT & LOGISTICS At a glance

  • Mobile / modular: Yes!

    • Transportation to the venue by vehicle, then easily pulled by handcart once on-location

  • Total footprint: 10’ x 16’

    • This includes the size of the installation + required interactivity space for participants to move freely

  • Power & lighting needs: we bring our own!

    • We bring our own nightime power & lighting

    • No daytime power & lighting needed

  • Sound type: Acoustic / Controlled

    • We are powered by mallets. Music stops when we collect mallets from participants.

  • Crew size: 2-6

    • depending on the terrain & size of audience

  • Setup / strike window: ~ 1 hour

    • We have a very minimal setup and arrive to the venue already constructed.

See (and Hear) Us in action!

Let’s Make Music Together!

Prefer to connect via email? Reach out to us at info@harmonicdrift.org.

Meet our Team

  • Dan Bales

    FOUNDER and DIRECTOR

    Dan is the visionary artist behind Harmonic Drift. A true renaissance man, Dan wears multiple hats as an instrument builder, composer, musician, and an all-around creative extraordinaire, committed to sharing the transformative power of music with all walks of life. His passion lies in the realm of improvised music, where he uncovers the boundless joy that arises from the act of collective creation.

  • Katie Harrell

    CO-DIRECTOR

    Professionally, Katie Harrell is an executive assistant with extensive experience supporting complex events, projects, and teams. She brings strong organizational systems, clear communication, and on-the-ground problem-solving to Harmonic Drift’s planning and execution.

    In addition to her professional background, Katie is an artist and performer whose work spans improvized musical and comedic performances and interactive installations.