ROLI is not just a company of specialists, but a community of polymaths creating new synergies between the professional and the personal.
After high school, Roland moved to Japan to practise Zen Buddhism. He earned a degree in Classical Chinese and Sanskrit Philosophy from Harvard University. His diverse achievements led to a scholarship to pursue an MA in Design Products at the RCA. There he invented the award-winning Seaboard GRAND and ROLI was born.
With experience in everything from global branding to product design, Yuta works on design engineering, bringing innovative ideas to life. His philosophy is to always try to strike a balance between rigour and creativity.
With a diverse background in software development, encompassing a PhD in computational quantum mechanics, big data collection frameworks and audio processing algorithms, Tom brings multifaceted expertise to the JUCE team. Before joining ROLI he was developing audio plug-ins at Fielding DSP and creating atomistic simulations of materials. Outside of work you can find Tom up a mountain or in the sea.
A background in civil engineering and a BSc and MA in musical instruments makes Sheldon uniquely suited to manage ROLI's internal operations systems. Sheldon likes to make acoustic instruments in his free time.
Mike is a software engineer and brings to ROLI his experience of developing video technologies and his academic background in music technology. He enjoys hiking in the mountains, particularly in his native Scotland where he has bagged 7 Munros in a single day.
With a creative and technical background in the games industry, Lewis now puts that to use while testing ROLI software. He’s a composer with a passion for exploring how people can experience and interact with music.
An RCA graduate, Hong designed the podium for the 2012 London Olympics and joined ROLI to oversee the manufacturing and realization of the product vision. He loves 80s music, Matsuda Seiko and trying new things.
After studying Computing at Imperial College, Heen became ROLI's first Product Demonstrator having now performed at The Royal Albert Hall and Abbey Road. He loves jamming, travelling and eating fried chicken.
A recent RCA Product Design graduate, Yu Kyung works with ROLI's product designers. For six years, she taught kids to sing and dance at a Sunday school, and she loves exploring London, cooking and making beautiful leather things.
Part of ROLI's production team with experience in the lighting and furniture design industry, John's responsible for spraying and casting the Seaboard’s unique elastomer keywave. He loves the outdoors and multi-day hikes.
After many years of applying herself to studies, and with degrees in both History of Art and Molecular Biology, Sarah-Jane has spent a large part of her working years in wholesale logistics. When she's not at work, you can find her practising in her band, learning how to skateboard, or taking her dog for a walk.
An experienced Electronic Engineer with award winning products under his belt, David strives to reach that perfect fusion of hardware and software for new ROLI designs. Still a Physicist at heart, he is driven by an insatiable curiosity and a desire to know what makes things tick.
Adriana loves tinkering with abstract concepts, sound art and all things contemporary. Her masters at Glasgow School of Art led her to develop a system for music improvisation based on visual representation of sound in a moving image form.
With a classical and jazz education in Vienna, Ester is a multi-genre instrumentalist. She recently graduated from Berklee College Of Music in Contemporary Writing and Production and loves to perform and produce music. In her spare time, she enjoys biking along the beach, discovering good food and creating music.
After spending his younger years teaching guitar at a music school in his native Wolverhampton, Tom graduated from the University of Hertfordshire with an MSc in Audio Programming. He joined the web team at ROLI after a role as a QA Engineer at FXpansion.
Trained as an anthropologist, Tahmima is an award-winning writer. She also writes a column for the International New York Times. She sits on the board of ROLI, coordinates senior recruitment, and heads woman-forward initiatives to the ROLI team and beyond.
A multi-instrumentalist and composer, Jared uses his musical and technical background to ensure ROLI’s creators have a seamless software experience. He loves exploring musical styles from across the world and learning new instruments.
With a degree in French that took her to the island of Martinique for a year, Jemilla pursued a career in law where she has worked with many global startups and VC funds. When she is not being the legal eagle of the business, she loves to discover new restaurants, play football and travel.
Karian is a recent Business Management Graduate, and is helping to grow the ROLI team. With an extensive background in Musical Theatre and professionally trained in 5 disciplines in dance, she is looking forward to never wearing a pointe shoe again.
As a sound designer, recording artist and recent graduate from The Liverpool Institute for Performing Arts, Purvi shares her knowledge and enthusiasm of technology with ROLI creators. She enjoys cultural diversity having lived in many cities, is always up for a challenging trek and can be found singing non-stop.
Following a career as a professional footballer, Anthony remains enthusiastic about sport and wellbeing. Now with 20 years of sales experience, holding senior roles for various Sony divisions, he’s helping to build ROLI's success in to new international markets.
With extensive experience heading up social for brands, most recently Etsy, Jon has a passion for finding new creative ways to engage and grow online communities. He's also a seasoned bassist who holds a degree in Popular Music Performance and a love for the UK's craft beer scene.
An Ecuadorian designer/engineer now designing ROLI's spaces, Santiago helped perfect the production of the Seaboard's elastomer keywave. His designs use the physical and the digital to create playful, unexpected interactions and experiences.
With two degrees in logistics acquired in Paris, Nicolas contributes to the smooth running of the full end to end supply-chain operations at ROLI. You might also find him running through London or digging for some records to fill his collection.
After 15 years touring the world as Keyboard Technician for artists such as Britney Spears, Lionel Richie and Leonard Cohen, Dan now leads ROLI customer support team. He still tinkers with modular synthesisers and loves physics and cosmology.
A graduate of the RCA and Imperial College’s MA/MSc Innovation Design Engineering, Sol works with ROLI’s designers to create beautifully crafted products. In her spare time, Sol loves travelling to Korea and Germany, her beloved home countries.
As an experienced carpenter and electronics enthusiast, with early works that include building The XX their interactive stage light-boxes, Jack divides his time improving ROLIs’ dynamic spaces and helping to build, test and develop ROLI’s ground - breaking products. He has a lifelong obsession with rhythm and aims to be as ambidextrous at ROLI as he is with the drums.
Originally from Greece, Niko's lived, studied and worked as a singer, percussionist and film composer in 4 different countries and speaks 4 languages. He now applies his skills to support and in his free time, practices Wing Chun with friends and writes music and reads alone.
Formerly a professional contemporary dancer, Corey works to comprehensively cohere the ROLI community. He co-directs VT's Governor’s Institute on the Arts and is passionate about activism and the discourse related to issues of gender, race, non-human animals and social justice.
Jessica loves being outdoors (when the weather is nice), exploring new places, and is a keen festival goer. With a background in advertising production, she now puts her organisational skills to great use as part of the Operations team at ROLI.
Already listed as an inventor on a patent in the EU and the US, Chris’ work focusses on the development of software and electronics for ROLI's next products. He has been DJing on vinyl turntables since he was a teenager.
A highly experienced embedded engineer who has designed over 60 instruments including award winning medical equipment, Murtaza brings a wealth of knowledge to the development of new products for ROLI. He enjoys playing bridge and badminton.
After 8 years of working on a farm and performing on the side, Trevor decided to pursue music by way of composition, instrument building, and teaching; joining the Creator Support Team was a natural progression. In his free time you can find him riding a unicycle or building furniture.
A professional trombonist and singer, Elizabeth has performed globally and on TV shows like American Idol. She now creates opportunities to unite the US music and technology communities and loves learning about food and culture.
A classically trained violinist, Catriona grew up in the Winelands of South Africa. After completing a master's in Sociology at Goldsmiths, she jumped into the world of start-ups at a 3D printing company. She is an avid hiker and an enthusiastic cook.
James is an experienced software engineer, multi-instrumentalist and recording engineer. His spare time is devoured by recording sessions at his nearby studio, learning how to fix esoteric analogue equipment and performing in the band Lola Colt.
Barnaby’s career has focused on launching and developing brands within international markets, having worked both in the Connected and Luxury industries. A fan of watching and playing sports, outside of work he is likely to be found watching rugby or jogging.
Making music and creating new sounds has always been Rafael’s passion. Encouraging the ROLI software development team for yet more features? if it means a better sound, it’s a must for Rafael.
An avid outdoorsman, Danny has taught whitewater kayaking and guided wilderness trips in the Northeast and Alaska and is now dedicated to maintaining the smooth flow of ROLI's sales process. He once paddled alone down the length of the Grand Canyon.
Ian was selected to exhibit at the New Designers exhibition in London in 2015 with a new product and service proposal for sterilising baby feeding bottles. He can be found creating a touch of sustain on his guitar and has performed at the likes of Latitude and the Great Escape Festivals.
With a BSc in Creative Music & Sound Technology and diverse professional experience, Chesney supports ROLI’s CEO. When not at ROLI he can be found performing with his band, exploring hidden corners of London, or learning about nature and science.
With a degree in Sociology, Mimi is passionate about the study of culture, society and the power of human beings. She uses her knowledge to assist in the important task of growing the ROLI team. She also enjoys listening to R&B, crocheting and competing in dance-off competitions.
With over twenty years experience in global manufacturing, supply chain and logistics in consumer electronics, Doug leads the ROLI Manufacturing Team. He spends any spare time he can find playing with his Great Pyrenees dogs, blowing glass and recreating the fighting arts of the Middle Ages.
After attaining a PhD in theoretical physics, Henrik held strategic and operational roles at McKinsey and LEGO as well as B&O PLAY. With skills that range from hard mathematics to creative marketing of LEGO building tools, Henrik is a natural leader of ROLI’s multidisciplinary team of engineers, designers, coders, marketers, and musicians.
When not answering support requests from his dog-filled office in Germany, Alex is writing and recording songs with Fallow Deer Fawn. He graduated from the University of Applied Sciences in Düsseldorf with a diploma in social education and an MA in Culture, Aesthetics & Media.
With years of experience in electronic music production and music technology, Lawrence now works to ensure ROLI and FXpansion products reach the highest possible standards. He enjoys composing, cycling long distances, and spending more time than perhaps necessary to make the perfect cup of coffee.
For over 20 years, Jim has brought legendary gaming franchises to market including Halo 3, Half-Life, and Counter-Strike. He co-founded Jerry Bruckheimer’s games division, and was the founding GM for Zynga’s Seattle studio. He is excited to bring the art of gaming to the world of music as the VP of Product.
A tech and start-up enthusiast, and music lover since she can remember, Amandine uses her Business Administration background as ROLI's Channel Marketing Manager. When she's not running along the canal training for her next marathon, you might catch her at a restaurant with friends or a gig in East London.
With a background fluctuating between music performance and software development, Dimitri now works as a Software Tester for ROLI. He likes playing the drums and baking sourdough bread.
A music and tech enthusiast, Sherene leads the strategy for ROLI.COM and maintaining an exceptional customer experience for the brand’s online presence. You can often find her at concerts or dancing with friends around London.
When he's not playing jazz piano gigs, Adam assists Creators as a part of the ROLI Support team. His musical endeavors have taken him across the country, playing a variety of venues including a charity event for the Kevin Spacey Foundation. He is an avid martial artist, writer, and eater of pizza.