SONA TEAM
STEPHAN CASPAR : Festival Director
An artist, educator, and storyteller working at the intersection of technology, culture, and memory. His practice explores the immersive potential of VR, AR, and 360° media as tools for reimagining place, language, and culture. Through documentary filmmaking and digital storytelling, he examines the ways narrative constructs meaning, inviting audiences to engage with layered, sensorial experiences that challenge linear perception.
His work embraces a multidisciplinary approach, weaving together film, sound, and interactive media to create participatory spaces that blur the boundaries between the physical and the virtual. Whether through projected installations, spatial audio, or experimental narratives, he seeks to disrupt conventional modes of storytelling, fostering deeper connections between people, histories, and the environments they inhabit.
As Director of the SONA Immersive Storytelling Festival and The Kenner Room at Carnegie Mellon University, he brings this philosophy into his teaching, designing project-based experiences that merge creative practice with critical inquiry. His background in filmmaking and media production, including work with the BBC, informs a body of work that is both reflective and expansive, driven by a fascination with the evolving relationship between storytelling, technology, and people.
STEFANI TASKAS : Technical Director
Stefani Taskas is a programmer, developer, and game designer with a passion for storytelling. As the Digital Learning Experience Developer for the Department of Languages, Cultures & Applied Linguistics, their work is in producing transformational experiences and supporting The Kenner Room and the LCAL Studio and Humanities Commons.
Stefani earned a Master of Entertainment Technology at Carnegie Mellon University, and prior to that a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science, minoring in Game Design and Development at Michigan State University.
Stefani believes that technology and games can be a powerful tool for learning; whether it’s VR, mobile, tabletop or otherwise, and is interested in developing experiences that inspire players to dive deeper into the subject matter covered.
Tirzah o. Duncan : Artists & Community
Tirzah O. Duncan is a student and pop-culture enthusiast interested in the ways art fosters understanding between people.
Tirzah is pursuing a Master of Entertainment Industry Management with a focus on film and television. Before coming to Carnegie Mellon University, Tirzah earned a Bachelor of Arts in Anthropology, with a minor in Communication Studies from Temple University.
Growing up as a dancer in Pittsburgh, one of Tirzah's favorite ballet teachers consistently told her and her peers to always be "ambassadors to the arts" even if they do not become professional dancers. Taking this teacher's guidance to heart, Tirzah is proud to support artists as a member of the SONA team.
Supported by
Elisa is on a mission to explore how tomorrow’s technology can elevate the stories of today. Currently a Master of Entertainment Industry Management (MEIM) candidate at Carnegie Mellon University and a UT Austin Advertising alumna, she thrives at the intersection of data-driven strategy and creative innovation.
From decoding audience sentiment using advanced analytics to crafting cross-platform narratives, Elisa manages the full marketing lifecycle with a creator’s heart and a “digital-first” mindset.
As the lead for Marketing and Social Media at SONA, she serves as the voice of our digital presence, dedicated to building a global community where immersive art is accessible to all. When she isn’t designing our next big campaign, you’ll likely find her experimenting with new recipes in the kitchen, or traveling around the world to find fresh inspiration.
our Friends and Partners
Karen Richters : Communications & Events Lead
Karen Richters brings a background in cross-cultural communication and strategic storytelling to her work with SONA. Educated in global studies and French language and literature at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, she spent formative years teaching English in Paris and Martinique, an experience that grounded her understanding of how language and culture shape the way stories travel across communities.
She returned to UTK in marketing and outreach roles before pursuing graduate studies in journalism and electronic media, a trajectory that reflects a consistent interest in how stories find their publics. She now serves as Associate Director of Communications for the Department of Languages, Cultures and Applied Linguistics at Carnegie Mellon, where she leads marketing strategy, digital platforms, and outreach.
At SONA, Karen leads communications and event planning, working to connect the festival's program with the widest possible audience.
Kyla Gardner : Finance & Production
Kyla Gardner is a Master of Arts Management candidate at Carnegie Mellon University’s Heinz College, where she focuses on finance, strategy, and operations across the for-profit and nonprofit arts sectors.
She began her career as Finance and Operations Coordinator at THE OFFICE performing arts + film, where she worked for five years after earning her B.S. in Finance from CUNY Brooklyn College. Kyla aims to apply data-driven strategies to support art organizations in amplifying their services and remaining resilient in current and emerging market trends. Kyla enjoys reading, trying new things, and attempting to cook.