A Magnificent Journey into Sound

I am at the beginning of a new and exciting journey. Next week I have my first session as a student apprentice at Triad Recording Studios with Tony Ricci, my new mentor. I will be training to become a certified audio engineer and hope to one day be a full-fledged music producer.

After a lot of research and a few exploratory interviews at other schools/programs, I have decided to pursue this dream through a program run by the Recording Connection, hereafter referred to as RCC. I did my due diligence in looking for as much information as I could find on this program before enrolling. First, I consulted with the Better Business Bureau and was initially quite disheartened by RCC's low rating. This was a major blow as I had become quite excited by the prospect of going to school locally (RCC is based in CA but are affiliated with top-tier studios in most major cities nationwide) and affordably. It set me back on my heels for about a week before I regrouped and went back to the BBB website and read the entire entry on RCC. The complaints there were all answered by a representative of RCC with reason and what seemed to me to be honesty and a desire to defend themselves and their programs.

After that, I had a good conversation with on of their admissions counselors but their lousy BBB rating really spooked me which made me noncommittal and very cautious. My mom thought I shouldn't have anything to do with them because of the BBB rating alone but I wasn't ready to give up. I respect my mother's opinion and understood where she was coming from but it was a very interesting chat during which I, of course, took notes and I felt a lot better having spoken to them.

What really impressed me was the lack of pressure that came from them. This spoke to me of their being confident in their ability to not only place a student in a top quality studio but also in their record or successful graduates. At this point, let me explain how the program works. Unlike a traditional school where you learn in classroom, RCC hooks you up directly with a mentor in the field and you "go to school" at this person's studio. You in essence become a student-apprentice. There is a 20 week course planned out, with textbooks and homework and the like, only you get to work one on one with a professional in the field about which you are learning. Also, included in tuition is a copy of the software ProTools and an Mbox, which is an audio interface; meaning when you complete the program you have the tools already to go out & record & mix music/audio.

Another factor that impressed me is that they set up what they call an Open House Interview with potential mentors for you in your area, free of charge. Until you approve your mentor and vice versa, you do not pay any tuition. My mentor, Tony Ricci, and I got on like a house on fire. An average interview usually takes 15-30 minutes, Tony and I spoke for almost two hours! Needless to say, we approved each other and I was accepted into the program.

I am very excited to be starting this program and to be working with a professional like Tony. I will be keeping a weekly journal for school so I will publish updates periodically. I am very fortunate to be able to take this opportunity and run with it and for that I am especially grateful to my wonderful, supporting husband. Without him, I wouldn't be able to reach for the stars & believe that I can do something this amazing. Also, my friends & family fully support me in this endeavor, which is huge.

To quote Eric Cartman: :"Follow your dreams. You can reach your goals; I'm living proof ... Beefcake, BEEFCAKE!"