Drums strike themselves, piano keys don't need fingers to make music - the instruments play themselves in the show Mechanical Ballet. Jim Murphy is one of the creators of the autonomous instruments. He has a PhD for his interdisciplinary studies at Victoria University School of Music and School of Engineering and Computer Science, and he is currently teaching at both schools. Michael Norris is a composer, software programmer and music theorist who teaches at New Zealand School of Music and is editor of Wai-te-ata Music Press and Co-Director of Stroma New Music Ensemble.