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Challenges
In 2010, I was contacted by the chair of the Audio Production program at the International Academy of Design and Technology in Las Vegas. I was asked to teach classes at the school in their newly-formed Bachelor's program, and possibly assist in development of curriculum for new classes. I began teaching in February.
ACTION
By September of that year, I became the Lead Instructor for the school, developing curriculum for the early classes. I instituted several requirements for outside learning, testing standards, including utilizing the company's online portal for standardized testing and grading across courses. I was also the main contact for the other instructors, and was heavily involved in setting standards for class content, testing, and classroom and studio policies.
RESULTS
Sanford Brown's Audio Production program grew rapidly, from 12 students to nearly 300 in less than 4 years. The program was a leader in the region for audio production students during my tenure there.
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CURRICULUM DEVELOPMENT |
Challenges
As a part-time instructor in audio production at UNLV since 2008, I observed in my conversations with music students that their knowledge of business principles outside the recording studio were lacking. Moreover, many of them would corner me in the studio to ask questions about copyright, making CDs and the like. I sensed there was a need for a music business course to help round out these interested students' knowledge of the music industry.
ACTION
In 2010, I submitted a proposal to the Chair of the Music Department regarding the addition of a music business course for the school.
RESULTS
I taught the first class in January 2011, to a full class of nearly 30 students, and taught it on multiple occasions.
In 2018, UNLV is completing the launch of a Music Production major, with Music Business as one of the core courses for the curriculum.
In 2018, UNLV is completing the launch of a Music Production major, with Music Business as one of the core courses for the curriculum.
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DRAGON TRACKS - STUDENT PROJECT |
CHALLENGES
In college, I was one of the top audio engineering students within our program. But even as I developed my technical skill, I couldn't help but take notice at the wide variety and degree of talent among my fellow students.
ACTION
After reading about a student-led album project released at another college, I began research on the possibility of releasing an original music project at MSUM. The concept was a collection of music written, performed, recorded and mixed by students. My research involved three major areas in order to accomplish our task.
- Researched the implications of copyright and publishing using student materials for a university project.
- Researched different available technologies and facilities for manufacturing, including the possibility of cassettes, CDs and vinyl.
- Successfully secured funding for the project from university sources.
RESULTS
In early 1990, the first Dragon Tracks project was released. The university has continued to release student-run projects and developed other music projects since that time, which have been used to showcase the program throughout the University system, to alumni and the general community.
