Women's Audio Mission - Summer Accelerated Academy 2026 (Los Angeles)
About this Event
Welcome to WAM Academy!
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 the more intermediate Level 2 class, you will gain hands-on experience recording at world-class studio, Gold Diggers Sound, and study the anatomy of mixing in Pro Tools. By the end of the program, you'll possess the knowledge and skills needed to craft professional-grade audio recordings and mixes.
Plus, for those who are hungry for more, you can easily combine WAM Academy with our Pro Tools Fundamentals 101 and 110 classes offered in SF or Online. (scheduled to take place August 1& 2 and 7, 8 and 9).
If you have any questions, or for member discounts, feel free to email us at [email protected].
Space is limited, secure your spot now!
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Course Details
Level 1 - Basic Audio Production
Uncover the fascinating realm of sound through our comprehensive 5-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: July 6th - July 15th --- Mon/Weds/Fri
- Times:
Monday 7/6 --- 6 - 9 PM (3 hrs)
Wednesday 7/8 --- 6 - 9 PM (3 hrs)
Friday 7/10 --- 5 - 9 PM (4 hrs)
Monday 7/13 --- 6 - 9 PM (3 hrs)
Wednesday 7/15 --- 6 - 9 PM (3 hrs) - Location: WAM LA Education Lab, 742 S Hill St (Suite 801), Los Angeles, CA
Level 2 - Studio Recording, Production, Mixing, and Signal Processing
Unlock your recording potential and put your skills into action over 7 accelerated courses. Immerse yourself in the art of studio consoles and processors at world-class studio, Gold Diggers Sound, and dive into mixing and signal processing while being surrounded by a supportive and encouraging community. This intermediate-level course is designed to take your recording and mixing 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 the studio at Gold Diggers Sound (Level 2a - 4 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 - 3 classes):
- Editing and Vocal Comping
- EQ, Dynamic, and Time-based processing
- Anatomy of a mix
- 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 recording and mixing going into this course.
Course Schedule: Level 2 Studio Recording, Production, Mixing, and Signal Processing
- Dates: July 17th - July 31st --- Mon/Weds/Fri
- Times:
Friday 7/17 --- 5 - 9 PM (4 hrs)
Monday 7/20 --- 6 - 9 PM (3 hrs)
Wednesday 7/22 --- 6 - 9 PM (3 hrs)
Friday 7/24 --- 5 - 9 PM (4 hrs)
Monday 7/27 --- 6 - 9 PM (3 hrs)
Wednesday 7/29 --- 6 - 9 PM (3 hrs)
Friday 7/31 --- 5 - 9 PM (4 hrs) - Locations:
- Level 2a: Gold Diggers Sound, 5634 Santa Monica Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90038
- Level 2b: WAM LA Education Lab, 742 S Hill St (Suite 801), Los Angeles, CA
Enrollment Info
*EARLY BIRD SPECIAL - ends May 6th!
- Early Bird Level 1 ONLY - $300
- Early Bird Level 2 ONLY - $350
- Early Bird Bundle (Level 1 + Level 2) - $600
GENERAL ADMISSION
- Level 1 ONLY - $350
- Level 2 ONLY - $400
- Bundle (Level 1 + Level 2) - $700
WAM ACADEMY + PRO TOOLS BUNDLE
Want to go even deeper into audio? Supercharge your learning with our WAM Academy + Pro Tools Bundle - Combine Academy Levels 1 + 2 with our Pro Tools Fundamentals 101 + 110 courses to become a Pro Tools Certified User and learn all you need to know to master the DAW. Click here for more details on our Pro Tools Fundamentals course.
- WAM Academy + Pro Tools Bundle - $1075 ($1250 value)
WAM MEMBER PRICES
- Member Level 1 ONLY - $280
- Member Level 2 ONLY - $320
- Member Bundle (Level 1 + Level 2) - $525
*WAM Members email [email protected] for your discount code.
WAM's 2026 LA Fall 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.
Sami Perez is an engineer and producer at her own studio in Los Angeles, Wiggle World. She’s also worked at Women’s Audio Mission, Tiny Telephone (fully analog), and Decibelle, as well as the Los Angeles studio Stones Throw. She has worked with artists and producers such as Merrill Garbus of Tune-Yards, Sonny Smith of Sonny and the Sunsets, Jerry Paper, Sasami, Ty Segall, and John McEntire. She currently plays in the bands Cherry Glazerr, The She’s, Sadgirl, and her project, Harry the Nightgown. Sami has experience learning and working on analog gear, which influences her production style in the way that it puts focus on getting raw takes and pulling creativity from limitations. She also focuses on creating a comfortable space for clients, as the studio can be a very vulnerable and intimidating environment.
Jennifer Ortiz, known professionally as JNY, is a Los Angeles–based recording and mixing engineer with over a decade of experience in the music industry. Her credits include projects for TDE, Roc Nation, Warner Music, and Spotify Studios LA, as well as mixes for SM Entertainment and Starship Entertainment. A frequent collaborator with multi-Grammy-winning producer Dem Jointz, Jennifer has also contributed her audio engineering skills to releases for Halle Bailey, Doechii, Maeta, K.A.A.N., Isaiah Rashad, and NoName, etc. Certified in Dolby Atmos Spatial Audio, she has mixed immersive projects for Ayoni, Coco Jones, Pokémon, UMI, and many more artists exploring next-generation of immersive audio. Most recently, she worked on Rapsody’s Please Don’t Cry — nominated for two 2025 Grammy Awards and winner of Best Melodic Rap Performance for “3:AM” (Rapsody ft. Erykah Badu). With her adaptability, technical mastery, and creative intuition, Jennifer continues to push sonic boundaries — bringing emotional depth and polish to every mix she touches.
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Questions?
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.
Where is it happening?
Event Location & Nearby Stays:
USD 360.50 to USD 1107.25
