When Bodies Resonate in Sound: Sonifying Interpersonal Movement Dynamics in Dance

Casper Preisler; Sofia Dahl; Prithvi Ravi Kantan

doi:10.1145/3802842.3802858

When Bodies Resonate in Sound: Sonifying Interpersonal Movement Dynamics in Dance

Casper Preisler
, Sofia Dahl
, Prithvi Ravi Kantan

Research output: Contribution to book/anthology/report/conference proceeding › Article in proceeding › Research › peer-review

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Abstract

This paper presents a sensor-based system for real-time sonification of movement synergy between two dancers. Using a set of custom measures computed via real-time readings from wearable inertial measurement units (IMUs), relational movement dynamics are translated into responsive soundscapes that make the energetic coupling between dancers saliently audible on a moment-to-moment basis. Through iterative design, we developed and tested a three-profile sonification strategy articulating states of energetic convergence and divergence. Evaluation with dancer pairs showed that the system successfully communicated relational movement states and influenced dancers’ movement choices by enabling awareness of their partner’s energy beyond visual cues. The work contributes a concrete approach to sonifying interpersonal movement relations, positioning sonification as a medium for embodied and relational awareness in improvised dance.

Original language	English
Title of host publication	MOCO '26: Proceedings of the 10th International Conference on Movement and Computing
Number of pages	9
Publisher	Association for Computing Machinery (ACM)
Publication date	23 Apr 2026
Article number	60
ISBN (Electronic)	979-8-4007-2500-5
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1145/3802842.3802858
Publication status	Published - 23 Apr 2026
Event	10th International Conference on Movement Computing - Montpellier, France Duration: 23 Apr 2026 → 25 Apr 2026 Conference number: 10 https://www.movementcomputing.org/

Conference

Conference	10th International Conference on Movement Computing
Number	10
Country/Territory	France
City	Montpellier
Period	23/04/2026 → 25/04/2026
Internet address	https://www.movementcomputing.org/

Keywords

Movement sonification
interpersonal coordination
embodied interaction
dance technology
IMU sensing
real-time audio feedback
movement synergy
collaborative performance
sonic interaction design

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10.1145/3802842.3802858Licence: CC BY 4.0

Open Access articleFinal published version, 1.49 MBLicence: CC BY 4.0

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title = "When Bodies Resonate in Sound: Sonifying Interpersonal Movement Dynamics in Dance",

abstract = "This paper presents a sensor-based system for real-time sonification of movement synergy between two dancers. Using a set of custom measures computed via real-time readings from wearable inertial measurement units (IMUs), relational movement dynamics are translated into responsive soundscapes that make the energetic coupling between dancers saliently audible on a moment-to-moment basis. Through iterative design, we developed and tested a three-profile sonification strategy articulating states of energetic convergence and divergence. Evaluation with dancer pairs showed that the system successfully communicated relational movement states and influenced dancers{\textquoteright} movement choices by enabling awareness of their partner{\textquoteright}s energy beyond visual cues. The work contributes a concrete approach to sonifying interpersonal movement relations, positioning sonification as a medium for embodied and relational awareness in improvised dance.",

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author = "Casper Preisler and Sofia Dahl and Kantan, \{Prithvi Ravi\}",

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publisher = "Association for Computing Machinery (ACM)",

address = "United States",

note = "10th International Conference on Movement Computing ; Conference date: 23-04-2026 Through 25-04-2026",

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}

Preisler, C, Dahl, S & Kantan, PR 2026, When Bodies Resonate in Sound: Sonifying Interpersonal Movement Dynamics in Dance. in MOCO '26: Proceedings of the 10th International Conference on Movement and Computing., 60, Association for Computing Machinery (ACM), 10th International Conference on Movement Computing, Montpellier, France, 23/04/2026. https://doi.org/10.1145/3802842.3802858

When Bodies Resonate in Sound: Sonifying Interpersonal Movement Dynamics in Dance. / Preisler, Casper; Dahl, Sofia ; Kantan, Prithvi Ravi.
MOCO '26: Proceedings of the 10th International Conference on Movement and Computing. Association for Computing Machinery (ACM), 2026. 60.

Research output: Contribution to book/anthology/report/conference proceeding › Article in proceeding › Research › peer-review

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AB - This paper presents a sensor-based system for real-time sonification of movement synergy between two dancers. Using a set of custom measures computed via real-time readings from wearable inertial measurement units (IMUs), relational movement dynamics are translated into responsive soundscapes that make the energetic coupling between dancers saliently audible on a moment-to-moment basis. Through iterative design, we developed and tested a three-profile sonification strategy articulating states of energetic convergence and divergence. Evaluation with dancer pairs showed that the system successfully communicated relational movement states and influenced dancers’ movement choices by enabling awareness of their partner’s energy beyond visual cues. The work contributes a concrete approach to sonifying interpersonal movement relations, positioning sonification as a medium for embodied and relational awareness in improvised dance.

KW - Movement sonification

KW - interpersonal coordination

KW - embodied interaction

KW - dance technology

KW - IMU sensing

KW - real-time audio feedback

KW - movement synergy

KW - collaborative performance

KW - sonic interaction design

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M3 - Article in proceeding

BT - MOCO '26: Proceedings of the 10th International Conference on Movement and Computing

PB - Association for Computing Machinery (ACM)

Y2 - 23 April 2026 through 25 April 2026

ER -

When Bodies Resonate in Sound: Sonifying Interpersonal Movement Dynamics in Dance

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