Gain new skills & get a headstart on your career!
Embark on a transformative journey to master essential audio skills in recording, production, and cutting-edge digital technologies with WAM Academy. Come join us in San Francisco for a hands-on experience with face-to-face sessions aimed at boosting your audio skills.
What is WAM Academy?
A formalized training program comprising two courses, Level 1 and Level 2, designed to acquire new audio skills and jumpstart your career. Upon completion of the workshop, participants will possess the knowledge and skills essential for creating audio recordings and mixes. These courses are taught by qualified recording engineers and aim to equip students with the necessary knowledge of audio production, recording, and mixing. WAM Academy is offered in-person only.
Accelerated Summer Academy – *Early Bird Registration OPEN NOW*
Dive into the world of audio production with our two-week accelerated summer program led by professional recording engineers! Come join us in San Francisco for a hands-on experience with face-to-face sessions aimed at boosting your audio skills. Our Summer Academy is condensed, allowing you to learn quickly and get to work!
Over the course of two weeks, you will learn the fundamentals of audio production with Level 1 in the mornings, and go deeper into recording and mixing techniques with Level 2 in the afternoons. 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 hungry to go even deeper, combine WAM Academy with our summer Pro Tools Fundamentals 101 and 110 courses to become an Avid Certified Pro Tools User and a master of the DAW. Our Pro Tools Fundamentals classes take place on the weekends (July 12-13 and 18-20), in between 2 week Accelerated Academy classes. Keep reading for prices and to learn how to save on Academy and Pro Tools with our Super Summer Bundle!
If you have any questions, feel free to email us at education@womensaudiomission.org.
Level 1: Basic Audio Production Course
- Instructor(s): Arielle Flinkman, Minji Will
- Registration Open Date: May 5
- Dates: July 8 – 11 and July 14 – 16
- Times: Mornings from 10am – 12:30pm (PST)
- Location: 447 Minna St (4th floor), San Francisco, CA
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 7-class series 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
- Get hands-on experience with Pro Tools, exploring its features and capabilities for professional audio production
- Learn how to solder and make your own cables!
We recommend taking Level 1 as a prerequisite to all other WAM classes.
Level 2 – Intermediate Studio Recording & Mixing Course
- Instructor(s): Lien Do, Arielle Flinkman, Minji Will
- Registration Open Date: May 5
- Dates: July 8 – 11 and July 14 – 17
- Times: Afternoons from 1:30pm-5pm (PST)
- Location(s):
- 447 Minna St (4th floor), San Francisco, CA
- WAM Studio, 542-544 Natoma Street, #C-1, San Francisco, CA 94103
Unlock your recording potential and put your skills into action in WAM’s professional recording studios. Immerse yourself in the art of studio consoles and processors while surrounded by a supportive and encouraging community. This intermediate-level course is designed to take your recording expertise to new heights in a professional studio setting. If you’re already familiar with signal flow, microphone types, and basic recording and mixing, this course is the perfect opportunity for you to take your skills to the next level.
This 8-class series covers:
In the studio:
- Large Format Console Signal Flow & Patchbays
- Auxes & Inserts
- Headphone Mixes
- Mic placement techniques
- Learn how to run a recording session with a local Bay Area band
In the digital learning lab:
- EQ, Dynamic, and Time-based processing
- Editing and Vocal Comping
- Hands-on access to Pro Tools
Level 2 Prerequisites:
Academy Level 1 or equivalent basic recording training and some knowledge of Pro Tools is strongly recommended. Attendees should understand signal flow, types of microphones, and a basic understanding of recording and mixing going into this course.
PRICING – Summer Enrollment NOW OPEN
EARLY BIRD SPECIAL – Ends May 25
- Early Bird Level 1 ONLY – $300
- Early Bird Level 2 ONLY – $350
- Early Bird Bundle (Level 1 + Level 2) – $600
GENERAL ADMISSION – Starts May 25
- General Level 1 ONLY – $350
- General Level 2 ONLY – $400
- General Bundle (Level 1 + Level 2) – $650
SUPER SUMMER BUNDLE (Pro Tools + Academy)
Want to go even deeper? Supercharge your audio learning with our Super Summer Bundle – (includes Academy Levels 1 + 2 on the weekdays & Pro Tools Fundamentals 101 + 110 on the weekends. Check out our Pro Tools event listing for more details).
- Super Summer Bundle (WAM Academy + Pro Tools) – $1075 until May 25th ($1200 value)
WAM MEMBER PRICES
*WAM Members email education@womensaudiomission.org for your PROMO code.
Member Early Bird Special:
- WAM Member Level 1 ONLY – $280
- WAM Member Level 2 ONLY – $330
- Early Bird Bundle (Level 1 + Level 2) – $580
Member General Admission:
- Member GA Level 1 ONLY – $300
- Member GA Level 2 ONLY – $350
- Member GA Bundle (Level 1 + Level 2) – $600
Any Questions? Please email education@womensaudiomission.org
Lien Do is a Sacramento-born multi-disciplinary media artist living in the Bay Area. They hold a double bachelor’s degree from the University of California at Davis in Music and Design. Their expertise extends to a wide range of fields, including record engineering, ADR, music composition, production, editing, and mixing. Since 2015, Lien has been serving as the co-owner and co-head engineer of Different Fur Studios in San Francisco, alongside Grace Coleman. They are also the co-founder of LIEMA, a post-audio and film production company, and a core member of the queer Vietnamese media collective, Sunkissed Productions.
Lien is a professor of post-production film audio for the MFA Graduate School program SOCDOC at UC Santa Cruz. They have also delivered guest lectures at various institutions, including UCLA and other community groups. Also, they were featured as an artist in residence at SFMoma’s Open Space, where they presented a physics sound installation that explored the potential of harnessing Sympathetic Resonance through future climate change and its impact on communication.
Lastly, they are a music producer who operates under the name Leviathe working with various artists. Throughout their work, Lien demonstrates a deep commitment to accessibility, diversity, and inclusivity in the arts.
Arielle Flinkman (she/her), is an audio engineer, musician and DJ from San Francisco. She is currently the Studio Manager and Lead Engineer at Women’s Audio Mission where she runs the daily operations and recording sessions at WAM’s professional, world class recording studio. In addition to studio engineering, she has a background working as a live sound engineer around Bay Area clubs and venues.
She is also a WAM alumni and obtained her certificates in Studio Recording and Sound Reinforcement from the City College of San Francisco. Prior to working in sound, Arielle comes from a long background in A/V technology and film exhibition, obtaining her Bachelor’s degree in Media Studies and Film from the University of San Francisco in 2014. She has worked in film projection, A/V tech, and operations as Operations Manager of the Roxie Theater and as a technician with local festivals. Additionally, she is a vocalist and has been working as a vinyl DJ since 2013.
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.
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