Women's Audio Mission - Spring Academy 2027 (Los Angeles)

Dive into the world of audio production with our intensive training program led by professional recording engineers! Come join us in Los Angeles for a hands-on experience with face-to-face sessions aimed at boosting your audio skills.

In Level 1, you will learn all the essential audio fundamentals and even learn to solder your own XLR cables! In Level 2, you will gain hands-on experience recording at a world-class studio, and study audio editing and signal processing in Pro Tools. By the end of the program, you'll possess the knowledge and skills needed to craft professional-grade audio recordings.

If you have any questions, or for member discounts, feel free to email us at [email protected].

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Level 1 - Basic Audio Production

Uncover the fascinating realm of sound through our comprehensive 7-class foundational series! This course provides a solid foundation for understanding the physics and science behind sound, ensuring you gain essential skills for basic recording, production, and digital technologies.

In this class you will:

• Gain an understanding of the physics and science behind sound
• Learn basic recording techniques and about signal flow and the recording chain
• Learn how microphones work and basic microphone selection and placement
• Learn the basics of digital audio recording with digital audio workstations like Pro Tools
• Plus, learn how to solder and make your own cables!

Course Schedule: Level 1 Basic Audio Production

• Dates: January 26th - February 16th
• Times: Tuesdays & Thursdays, 6:30pm - 9pm (PST)
  PLEASE NOTE:
  - The soldering class on February 16th ends late at 9:30pm

• Location: WAM LA Studios, 211 W Ave 33, Los Angeles, CA, 90031

Unlock your recording potential and put your skills into action in WAM’s professional recording studios over the course of this 9-class program. Immerse yourself in the art of studio consoles and processors, and dive into editing and signal processing while being surrounded by a supportive and encouraging community. This intermediate-level course is designed to take your recording and engineering expertise to new heights in a professional studio setting. If you’re already familiar with some signal flow, microphone types, and sound fundamentals, this course is the perfect opportunity for you to take your skills to the next level.

This class covers:

In our WAM LA world-class recording studio (Level 2a - 5 classes):

• Large Format Console Signal Flow & Patchbays
• Auxes & Inserts
• Headphone Mixes
• Mic Placement Techniques
• Plus a real, student-led recording session!

In our Pro Tools-equipped learning lab (Level 2b - 4 classes):

• Editing Techniques
• Vocal Comping
• EQ, Dynamic, and Time-based Processing
• Hands-on Access to Pro Tools

Level 2 Prerequisites

Academy Level 1 or equivalent basic audio training and some DAW experience is strongly recommended. Attendees should understand signal flow, types of microphones, and a basic understanding of audio engineering going into this course.

Course Schedule: Level 2 Studio Recording, Production, Editing, and Signal Processing

• Dates: February 23rd - March 23rd
• Times: Tuesdays & Thursdays, 6:30pm - 9pm (PST)
  PLEASE NOTE:
  - The recording session class on March 9th starts early at 5pm
• Location: WAM LA Studios, 211 W Ave 33, Los Angeles, CA, 90031

• Early Bird Level 1 ONLY - $300
• Early Bird Level 2 ONLY - $350
• Early Bird Bundle (Level 1 + Level 2) - $600

• Level 1 ONLY - $350
• Level 2 ONLY - $400
• Bundle (Level 1 + Level 2) - $700

• Member Level 1 ONLY - $280
• Member Level 2 ONLY - $320
• Member Bundle (Level 1 + Level 2) - $525

WAM's 2027 LA Spring Academy will be conducted in person only.

Additional Information: Attendees can receive refunds up to 7 days before the Level 1 course start date. See FAQ below for more details.

ABOUT THE INSTRUCTORS

Bri Holland is a Los Angeles-based award-winning vocal producer, engineer, singer, songwriter, and educator. She is an Avid (Pro Tools) Certified Instructor, and the Los Angeles Education and Internship Program Manager at Women's Audio Mission. Her portfolio spans film, TV, theater, and popular music, including the Grammy‑nominated Sweeney Todd... Broadway cast recording, feature films Dear Evan Hansen and Vivo, and DreamWorks animated series Trolls: TrollsTopia and Madagascar: A Little Wild. For her vocal music editing work on feature film tick, tick... BOOM!, Bri was nominated for an MPSE Golden Reel award. She has lent her voice to major pop releases like The Weeknd’s Dawn FM and film/TV projects like Wednesday, Minx, and Grease: Rise of the Pink Ladies. As a trusted vocal producer and engineer, she has worked with top vocal talents such as Josh Groban, Jennifer Nettles, Lin-Manuel Miranda, Megan Hilty, Ben Platt, Kenan Thompson, and Shuba. Bri’s studio approach centers creativity and relationships, and she is passionate about media literacy, community-building, and accessible, inclusive music education.

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Please email [email protected].

Women's Audio Mission courses focus on increasing the gender balance in audio production and technology sectors since fewer than 5% of the population employed in these sectors are women and gender-expansive individuals. There are limited spots available in WAM classes, and they often sell out, so we ask that if you are not woman-identified (cisgender or transgender), nonbinary, or gender-expansive, you reconsider enrolling in the class. We will not turn anyone away, but please be mindful that if you take up a seat in the class, that is one less woman, non-binary, or gender-expansive individual that we can serve. We thank you for your understanding in advance and for joining us in our mission to advance women and girls in music production and the recording arts.

Visit our website: https://womensaudiomission.org/training/wamacademy/

Become a WAM Member here.