Percussionist Scott Deal explores new pathways of musical computer interactivity, networked systems, musical AI, and media. He has performed throughout the world, and can be heard on the Albany, Centaur, Cold Blue, Neuma, Ravello, SCI, and SEAMUS record labels. His recordings have been described as “soaring, shimmering explorations of resplendent mood and incredible scale” and “sublimely performed”. His recording of John Luther Adams’ Four Thousand Holes, for percussion, piano, and electronics, was listed in the Top Ten Classical CDs for New Yorker Magazine and WNYC New York. In 2011, Deal and composer Matthew Burtner were awarded the coveted Internet2 IDEA Award for their co-creation of Auksalaq, a telematic opera called “an important realization of meaningful opera for today’s world”.
In 2020 he launched Earth Day Art Model Festival, a 24-hour transmedia event highlighting live telematic and media-enriched musical performances in over 100 countries through the internet. He and co-creator Jason Palamara designed and developed the AVATAR vibraphone AI improvising software application, and in 2025 Deal harnessed AVATAR as a tool to compose and produce his science fiction AI opera, Lexia, performed in New York to critical praise.
His work has received funding from organizations that include Meet the Composer, New Frontiers, Indiana Arts Council, Clowes Foundation, Indiana University Arts and Humanities Institute, and the University of Alaska. Deal is a Professor and Director of the Donald Tavel Arts and Technology Research Center at Indiana University Indianapolis, and is an Indiana University Presidential Arts and Humanities Fellow.