Dr Cristopher Ramos Flores has been announced as New Zealand School of Music Te Kōkī’s first Sonic Artist-in-Residence.

Dr Ramos Flores is a composer and instrument builder originally from Morelia in Mexico, now living in Te Whanganui-a-Tara. His catalogue of works includes compositions for solo instruments, chamber ensemble, large orchestra, and works including electronics, as well as interactive installations. In 2014, he started the first laptop orchestra in Mexico. Last year, he finished his doctorate in Music Composition at NZSM, for which he researched and designed hyperinstruments – musical instruments designed to be used with electronic sensors.

For the three-month residency at Toi Pōneke Arts Centre, which starts late September, he will work on a collection of works called Little Portals, telling the history of postal mail in NZ through its letterboxes.