This is your Real Grand Junction In-Studio Education

Background

Josh Denhardt is a music producer, audio engineer, and instructor based in Denver, Colorado. A longtime EDM DJ for more than 10 years, Josh decided to follow his passion for music and changed course from college dropout and self-described “ski bum” to being a highly sought after musical powerhouse with a skillset that ranges from live sound and recording to producing and mixing for numerous well-known musical acts and artists including a recently completed project with Grammy nominated P. J. Olsson of the Alan Parsons Project.

As an Ableton and Pro Tools mentor with a hands-on approach, Josh Denhardt takes tremendous pride in helping various artists and aspiring music producers build their studio chops, musicianship, and professional know-how.

Background

HELLO, I’M ANDREW. I LOVE TAKING MUSICAL DREAMS AND TURNING THEM INTO RECORDED REALITY.I am a producer, arranger, and keyboardist in the greater Salt Lake and Utah Valley areas.

I love working with people with big visions. It’s my personal goal to take those visions, and bring them into the real world in creative and practical ways.

I’ve been playing keys professionally since I was 16 years old. I picked up production and arrangement before I was 18. I’ve since produced dozens of broadway musicals, albums, music for film and television, and YouTube videos for some of the largest names in the industry.

My strength is my versatility. I can visualize completed productions in their infancy. I’m highly proficient in Pro Tools, and can mix, edit, arrange, perform, or guide performers up to and beyond industry standards. If you have a project in need of such vision, give me a holler. I’d be glad to help you out!
ME IN 30 SECONDS

I began to learn of my creative abilities when I begin playing the piano by ear at the age of 13. At age 16, when I joined into a professional regional touring band, I dove head first into any and every project I could get my hands on, from website design, to music production, to booking. I attended college at Utah Valley University where I studied music and business. When I opened Sapphire Studios in 2010, I produced for several artists, including the venerable Lindsey Stirling, Donny and Marie Osmond and Merrill Osmond. I now produce music and manage the development of software for Right on Cue Services.

Today, I live my life to the best of my ability in service of others, not least of which is my beautiful and loving wife. I have a fierce love of the outdoors. I am a mountaineer, hiker, backpacker, marksman, scuba diver, photographer, and musician.

Background

Award Winning Recording Engineer, Record Producer, Recording Studio Owner Pete deBoer is dedicated to bringing artistry and technology together to create the ultimate recording experience for his clients.

A Musician from the age of 6, Pete moved to New York City in 1998 to attend the Institute of Audio Research. Pete started his career working at several prominent NYC recording studios (The Magic Shop, Electric Lady, The Hit Factory, Avatar, Sear Sound, etc.). He learned hands-on from some of the best producers and engineers in the business including mentor Ron Saint Germain (Tool, Soundgarden, 311, Jimi Hendrix, Creed, Whitney Houston, Mick Jagger)

Over 20 years experience and a masters understanding of analog and digital recording technology have led to an eclectic catalogue of credits spanning across all genres. Pete deBoer is an expert in his field and pursues excellence in whatever part he plays in the creative process of music production, engineering and mixing.

Background

Learn from Recording Connection mentor Ross Vanderslice or one of our mentors in the St. Louis area.

An engineer since 2001, Ross Vanderslice has worked with some of the biggest names in the recording industry. The experience he’s gained works perfectly with what we do at Recording Connection: pairing externs with seasoned professionals for invaluable one-on-one time with a mentor.

With multiple studios and state-of-the-art equipment, Vanderslice has worked with several Recording Connection externs. Doing it right is about so much more than having the right gear, software, or equipment. Because of his experience working with internationally-known acts, Vanderslice knows how to work with artists, how to make them feel comfortable and safe within the studio environment.

Here are some of the clients with whom Vanderslice and/or the professional audio engineers at his studio have worked:

Background

Shane Anderson is a seasoned music industry veteran. With over 20+ years in the music industry Shane has vast experience in production, recording, mixing and mastering as well as the ins and outs of the music business. Shane began his musical career in his early teens as a demo vocalist for labels and also as a sound engineer for the MUZAK corporation. At age 18 he opened his first studio location in Honolulu, HI called “Unique Studios” and oversaw the daily operations of the recording studio as well as landing several indie label deals and distribution agreements while in Hawaii working with local talent. In 2009 Shane released a solo album titled “Dangerous”. This album took off online primarily on MYSPACE and gained much success with over 2.5 Million plays worldwide landing him on BILLBOARD NEWSWIRE and ultimately landing him several placements on TV shows to include “The Kardashians” “MTV” “E- Networks” and Oxygen to name a few.

Shane moved down to Los Angeles 2010 where he formed with his long-time high school friend a production company called “The Go Gettas” where he continued to build on his credits and catalog working with artist who have been on American Idol, X Factor, Dancing with The Stars and Disney to name a few. After landing multiple placements in Film/TV Shane relocated to the Sacramento area in 2016 to build on Unique Recording Studios and help bridge the gap between artist and the industry.

Shane runs Unique Recording Studios as a production label, distribution company and recording studio for artist to create and focus on their art. Unique Recording Studios has also newly launched an exciting new venture at URS called “The Collective” which will allow producers, engineers, songwriters and artist to collaborate in house at Unique Recording Studios to work together to create music and promote building a large collaborative catalog of music to submit to labels, publishers, music supervisors and overall decision makers in the music industry. This will provide a great opportunity for students who complete their coursework at the recording connection.

Articles

Unique Recording Studios

Background

Learn from Recording Connection mentor Zack Phillips or one of our mentors in the Bay Area.

Discovering his love of music while growing up in New York City in the ‘80s, Zack Phillips’ approach to music is “part science, part mysticism.” Gaining experience as a DJ and live sound engineer, Phillips received a formal education in audio engineering.

From there, Phillips honed his craft working at several studios before finally establishing his own studio: FreqLab Recording. In addition to recording, editing, mixing, and production, Phillips also works on developing the artists he works with, exploring innovative and inventive ways of engineering audio. Phillips has worked with a wide range of artists, including Talib Kweli, The Kooks, and Blue Hawaii.

You’ll be working in a state-of-the-art facility renovated by Phillips himself. While he made sure to design the studio to get the most out of the space, he also wanted to make it as comfortable as possible for engineers and artists alike.

If you study at the San Francisco Recording Connection, you’ll be working with people as passionate about music as you are. Up and comers, established stars, and other entertainment entities such as Comedy Central or Electronic Arts. But you won’t be watching TV or playing video games – you’ll be coming to work hard every day.

Background

Learn from Recording Connection mentor Donny Baker or one of our mentors in the greater LA area.

Donny Baker, Studio Manager and Lead Tech at ES Studios in Burbank, is able to summarize his job as the Recording Connection Burbank, CA, mentor in a single sentence:

“We help with the weaknesses and push towards the strengths.”

It’s a simple concept, but takes a lot of work to see through to the end. Baker has spent most of his adult life in the music business, touring as an engineer for nearly 13 years before finding a home in the studio.

Baker has been with ES Studios since 2003, and brings a wealth of knowledge to the Recording Connection program. He believes in the proven time-tested approach of learning hands-on within the studio environment. Sure there are books (an eBook, actually), quizzes, exercises, and tests. Oftentimes though, Baker likes to start with the student, see where their curiosity is leading them.

Sometimes Baker just wants to see what the student has to offer.

“It’s a guideline,” Baker said of the Burbank audio engineering Recording Connection course. “It’s used as a way to get from point A to Point Z. We can take a student who knows nothing about recording or doesn’t know much about computers and we can make that person an engineer.”

The one-on-one mentoring, the hanging out and talking, and the personal attention Baker gives to his students are why he has been such a successful mentor for us. He finds out where the student wants to go and he guides the program in that direction.

Articles

Video: What to expect with Donny Baker
Helping students find their place
NUGGETS OF TRUTH: Recording Connection mentor Donny Baker on what it takes to make it in recording
JoAnn Bush, owner of ES Audio in Los Angeles

Background

Learn from Recording Connection mentor Steve Catizone or one of our mentors in the greater Boston area.

Steve Catizone at Infinite Recording has worked with some of the biggest names in the industry across several genres. U2 and Justin Bieber, Billy Crystal and Bob Saget, and Disney and M-Audio. And while he knows his way around a studio, knowing your way around a client is just as important.

Every recording professional had their first gig at some point. The adrenaline gets pumping, you could be working with a star, and you might start overcompensating.

Chill.

“Don’t be too opinionated when you’re talking to the clients,” Catizone said. “Just sort of listen and absorb. See what the climate in the room is, and make sure that if you do say something, it’s tactful.”

And relax. You could be a master of your craft, but if you don’t have a good repertoire with your clients, no one will want to work with you. Learn how to read the room, develop solid relationships, and remember it’s a collaborative effort. The “hang-ability” will follow.

“If people enjoy having you in the room, it’s a big thing,” Catizone said. “A lot of that comes down to personality and basically just being a positive force in the room, and being creative, and knowing when to offer up ideas and how to tactfully do so, and knowing when to not be the guy ‘doing your job’ but just being cool to hang around with.”

This is the advantage of the Charlestown Recording Connection programs. Yes, you’ll learn the technical side of the recording industry, but you’ll also learn how to handle yourself while in the studio. We believe the one-on-one time with a professional mentor gives you a complete picture of the business.

That’s what sets us apart from the traditional method of learning. The sights, smells, and sounds of a real studio can’t be matched in a classroom.

Articles

Recording Connection mentor Steve Catizone on creating opportunities for his students
Recording Connection mentor Steve Catizone talks studio etiquette

Background

Learn from Recording Connection mentor Bernard Johnson or one of our mentors in the greater San Diego area.

Bernard Johnson didn’t follow the usual path to becoming a Recording Connection mentor in El Cajon, Ca. He discovered a love of mass media as a 14-year-old, entering a certification program to find out how it all came together.

After finishing the program, he began co-producing a top-ten music show in Detroit and received an award for exemplary airwave checks from the Michigan Broadcast Association. Then his career took a turn: Johnson entered the military.

After a 20-year career in the military, often leading departments with 90 people, Johnson returned to what he loved as a teenager, earning a masters in audio production. While the military can be quite regimented, Johnson was attracted to the freeform method of instruction that Recording Connection offered students. As he knows better than most, the standard course isn’t always the best course.

“When I saw (Recording Connection) model, I was like, ‘Wow, this is it. I love it.’” Johnson said. “And it allows students to have the opportunity not to feel cemented to something like, ‘This is what you need to do, this is the direction and the route you need to do it.’”

The Recording Connection Program gives you access to a professional engineer, fully-functioning studio, and hands-on education, it could also earn you a career. The Noize Factory is a perfect example of that: Johnson hired one of his former students (Efrain Matias) as a staff engineer.

But you have to work for it. Recording Connection students must be willing to put in the time, effort, and focus to get the most out of it. Johnson expects nothing less.

“I do want to say commitment, passion, perseverance, and finishing until the end,” Johnson said. “They’re not just doing something for money or just doing it ‘just because.’ They’re literally passionate about it.”

Articles

Recording Connection mentor Bernard ‘IQue’ Johnson Shares His Smarts & Hires from Within!
Recording Connection grad Goes to NAMM, Gets Hired, Gets Going in Audio!

Background

Learn from Recording Connection mentor Joey Heier or one of our mentors in the New Brunswick area.

Audio engineer and studio owner Joey Heier has been in the business of making music for decades. With a client list that includes names like Christina Aguilera, B.o.B., Jill Scott, and Dru Hill, Joey knows what it takes to work in music. Furthermore, he has a zeal for sharing his passion for audio with newcomers.

So much so, that he’s gotten the nickname “Uncle Joey” from our students. He maintains contact with literally dozens of our graduates, many of whom have gone on to build great careers in the music industry.

We recently asked Joey Heier why he loves mentoring for Recording Connection. Here’s what he said:

“It’s a tremendous passion for me. I enjoy doing this so much. I have a style that I believe in. I talk with my students about a textbook answer that they’re probably going to forget immediately, and then give them an ‘Uncle Joe’ definition that’s two or three words that they’re going to remember immediately. Then they’re going to understand what the textbook definition is by hearing it in a simpler fashion.

“I have great kids that come in and really, really want to do this… I have an outstanding job, and there’s no reason why I shouldn’t do it with a smile. And that doesn’t happen with every kid, naturally—it really depends if they want to do it. But if they want to do it, I am so honored to have the opportunity to teach, and I think that’s why it works well for me.”

Articles

NUGGETS OF TRUTH: Recording Connection mentor Joey (“Uncle Joe”) Heier talks about the importance of hands-on training and his passion for teaching