Ian Dearden and David Sheppard formed SOUND INTERMEDIA in 1996. Since then they have become a leading sound design company offering support in all aspects of performance and presentation with electronic technology.

Their creative approach has seen them collaborate with many of today's leading composers, orchestras, and arts organisations. Recent projects have included the sound design for the operas Zoë, by John Lunn (Glyndebourne 2000) and Outis, by Luciano Berio (La Scala 1999 and Chatelet 1999). They are currently working with Sir Harrison Birtwistle on two projects - The Last Supper (for Berlin Staatsoper and Glyndebourne, 2000) and a new piece to celebrate the opening of Tate Modern at Bankside in London.

In collaboration with the Performing Arts Education Department at the South Bank Centre in London and Southbank and Salford Universities, they have devised multimedia installations illustrating to the general public how acoustic science has helped in the design of concert halls. The exhibition, entitled Concert Hall Acoustics, can be seen at Snape Maltings in Suffolk from late April 2000.

Boulez-Online is the second collaboration with London Sinfonietta Education. In 1998 they devised and programmed Treeline-Online, an internet based resource for teachers, based on the music of Japanese composer Toru Takemitsu.

The London Symphony Orchestra appointed SOUND INTERMEDIA as consultants to it's Discovery Department, with special responsibility for advising on the integration of internet and multimedia technologies in the St Luke's Centre, which will open in October 2002.

In recognition of the importance of live electronics in contemporary music, Ian and David have been made principal players of the London Sinfonietta, the UK's flagship new music ensemble.