Intro to Synth Building: Make Your Own Light Theremin

This session guides participants through hands-on circuit building to make a simple synthesizer instrument they can play using light. The class will cover basic concepts in electronic oscillation, followed by a hands-on soldering buildout. Participants will leave the workshop with their own mini light theremin.

CLASS DETAILS

The class meets Thursday, December 10, from 6:30 to 8:00pm in the Community Synth Studio at AMLA/Esperanza.

This class is 18+. Class size is limited to 10. No previous experience in soldering or electronics is required. The workshop relies on fine motor skills such as using wire strippers, needle-nosed pliers, placing small components, and soldering.

Advance ticket reservation is required to attend.

QUESTIONS

Questions? Email SoundLab@bowerbird.org.

ABOUT THE TEACHER

Hannah Tardie (they/them) is an artist and media researcher whose work takes the form of written scholarship, sculpture and installation, performance, pedagogy, curation, and event organization. Tardie initially began working with electronic objects through their art practice and routinely teaches courses on electronics design at the undergraduate and graduate levels. Beyond the institution, Hannah teaches electronics building and repair classes at myriad local organizations. In 2024 they started an annual conference/unconference event called the Electronics Faire at Temple University which features a keynote series, hands-on workshops, an art exhibition, live electronic music performances, and a walkthrough faire tabled by organizations doing radical work with electronics. Hannah is deeply inspired by the solar punk movement and views DIY approaches to electronics as avenues for tech sovereignty.

ADDITIONAL LOCATION INFO

From October through December 2026, our Neighborhood Sound Lab will be located in AMLA Studios on the first floor (lower level) of Esperanza Arts Center, in the Hunting Park neighborhood of North Philadelphia. The street address is 4261 N. 5th Street, but the entrance is on Bristol Street, near the corner of 5th and Bristol. Enter through Esperanza’s main doors.

Parking. Free parking is available on the Esperanza campus. The lot is on Bristol Street between North 3rd and North 5th Streets, at 4th and Bristol.

Public transit. Esperanza is on SEPTA bus routes 47, 53, and 4. For the 53, get off at 5th and Hunting Park. For the 47, get off at 5th and Bristol. For the 4, get off at 9th and Hunting Park.

ABOUT AMLA

Artístas y Músicos Latinoamericanos (AMLA) seeks to promote the development, dissemination, and understanding of Latin music and culture throughout Philadelphia and the Delaware Valley. AMLA is based at Esperanza Arts Center in Hunting Park, North Philadelphia. For more info, visit amla.org.

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Major support for NEIGHBORHOOD SOUND LAB has been provided by the William Penn Foundation with additional support from The Presser Foundation.