The Grove Studios is entering its second year offering its sound production course in collaboration with TAFE and RMI. How successful was its maiden voyage in 2015?

Our first year was a great success. We have an incredibly enthusiastic, diverse group of students enrolled in our Diploma of Sound Production. Our classroom is a fully functioning recording control room, with the addition of 16 music production workstations creating a fantastic space to learn and be creative. The students have experienced what it’s like to work in a professional recording studio environment.

What do the Diploma of Sound Production and the Advanced Diploma of Sound Production offer to students?

The Diploma of Sound Production offers students a wide range of knowledge and a platform to develop the skills required to be successful in the multiple fields of the music industry. The Advanced Diploma provides students with opportunities to further develop their knowledge and skills. We provide our students with hands-on access to not only the most current and advanced recording programs, but to a wide range of industry-leading and rare analogue recording equipment and consoles.

How important is it for people interested in a sound production career to gain in-studio experience before they enter the industry?

It is incredibly important – probably the most important part of the learning process. The art of running a successful recording session can be confronting and complex, even for the most experienced studio folk! Not only do our students gain studio experience with their course lectures, tutorials and assignments, but we have multiple opportunities outside of class hours for students to come in and assist on the professional recording sessions we are running daily out of our four very active and busy studios at The Grove.

Who’s involved in teaching the courses?

We carefully select all of our lecturers to ensure they are active professionals with a strong history in the music industry, so they can pass on a wealth of knowledge and experience to our students. Last year our guest lecture program included Heath Johns (A&R executive in music publishing), Andy Mak (music writer and producer), Burke Reid (music producer/engineer) and many more. Our first year head lecturer is Dexter Moore, who boasts two decades of experience in the music industry as a producer, writer, performer and studio owner.

For those who aren’t familiar with The Grove Studios, what are some of the highlights on its CV?

The Grove Studios was originally built by Garry Gary Beers from INXS in the late ’90s. In its early years artists such as Silverchair, Eskimo Joe, Kasey Chambers, Delta Goodrem and The Whitlams made various ARIA number ones and platinum successful albums at The Grove. Recently we have seen a diverse range of both emerging and established artists writing, recording and mixing at The Grove. Burke Reid has worked with Courtney Barnett, Sarah Blasko, DZ Deathrays, Olympia and Green Buzzard to name a few; I have worked with Birds Of Tokyo, Oh Mercy, Tuka, Kirin J Callinan, Jackie Onassis, The Last Dinosaurs and Xavier Rudd. It’s a special place, not only due to our extensive range of gear and state-of-the-art facilities but because it’s set on a few acres complete with bushwalking tracks, a pool and more. Artists, writers and students alike can really immerse themselves in the creative process without distraction.

Limited places are still available for the 2016 Diploma courses atThe Grove Studios, Somersby, New South Wales Head to thegrovestudios.com for more info.

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