Omar Shabbar is a musician, researcher, sound artist, and audiophile based out of Toronto. Currently working towards a PhD in Digital Media at York University, Shabbar’s work explores expressive applications for new sound technologies through the creation of new instruments and sonic environments. As an active touring musician with two decades of gigging experience, Shabbar’s lifelong obsession with the guitar and live performance informs much of this creative process. His most recent work aims to look outwards, beyond conventional instruments, and focus on the role of the performance space as a co-creator. Moving past traditional performance spaces like churches or performance halls, Shabbar’s recent work takes an ethnographic approach to examine, analyse, and recreate the many resonances of community spaces. Shabbar’s work demonstrates how the sounds of these often overlooked spaces influence musicians and contribute to the overall performance.