PHOENIX June 14, 2021 --- Confucius says, “Music produces a kind of pleasure which human nature cannot do without.” This universal sentiment proved to be true in 2020 as the world was cut-off to human interaction and music was all that was left to soothe the soul for those in isolation. Music-lovers will have a new outlet to express themselves, while earning college credits this Fall at Phoenix College’s new Audio Production Studio.
In a few months, Phoenix College will open the doors to its latest creation: a recording facility and digital audio lab, superior to any other local college. The men “behind the glass” are Jamison Weddle, Music Industry Studies Coordinator and Professor, and Mike Bolenbach, owner of Full Well Studio and adjunct professor. Each professor boasts worthy accolades. Weddle alone has four platinum record awards, each with more than 1 million units in sales.
“We are not only actively still working in the audio production industry – we teach it the way things really work in the professional world,” says Weddle. “The program goes beyond teaching students how to run the equipment behind the glass of the sound booth, but also to be prepared to work with high-caliber musicians.”
The duo of engineers has worked with and continues to work with some of the industry's biggest names like the late DMX, Kenny Rogers, and Billy Preston to the Red Hot Chili Peppers, Paul Rodgers, Bruce Springsteen, Nils Lofgren, Soulfly, and Alice Cooper, to name a few.
“Sister schools like Mesa, Glendale, Paradise Valley and Scottsdale all have facilities, but not quite like this,” Weddle says. “A lot goes into the construction of what makes a great studio. This is an industry-standard, professionally built recording facility, yet also designed with the help of our IT/Media department to integrate the most effective methods of teaching these skills.”
Classes fill up quickly, too. Audio Production was a popular program even before covid hit. Weddle helped create the curriculum with other instructors from our MCCD colleges, knowing exactly what new graduates would need to know to hit the workforce. Each student gets hands-on time in the studio right away, within the second week of class. Students also learn the concepts and theory associated with recording arts technologies, and then they apply them in the new lab.
Phoenix College offers certificates and associates in audio production and music business. The program is robust enough to take students in several career directions such as recording engineer, mixing engineer, FOH engineer, mastering engineer, music producing, broadcasting, podcasting, audio/visual engineering and more. Those who excel in this field will find work in studios, live sound venues, corporate events, radio stations, film & TV – basically anywhere there’s a need for sound.
To learn more about the studio, register to become a student or take a virtual studio tour, visit: https://www.phoenixcollege.edu/programs/audio-production-technologies. And to take a virtual studio tour, visit: http://tours.phoenixcollege.edu/audioproduction/.
# # #
Media contact:
Erika Keenan, Manager of Public Relations and Marketing
Erika.Keenan@phoenixcollege.edu
https://www.phoenixcollege.edu/
O: 602-285-7842
About Phoenix College
Phoenix College is the flagship of the ten colleges in the Maricopa County Community College District, one of the largest community college districts in the nation. Established in 1920, PC offers academic courses leading to associate degrees, university transfer, certificates and short-term job training. .
The Maricopa County Community College District does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, disability or age in its programs or activities. For Title IX/504 concerns, call the following number to reach the appointed coordinator: (480) 731-8499. For additional information, as well as a listing of all coordinators within the Maricopa College system, http://www.maricopa.edu/non-discrimination.