Amelia King - New London, Connecticut

Amelia King

New London, Connecticut Recording Connection Student

Before I went to school, I already had an idea on how much work it would be when you're behind the scenes in the making of a record. As glamorous as MTV might make it, it's not just going into a recording booth and singing a song. There are a lot of people responsible in the making of a great record. Still, it wasn't until I started my mentorship program that I realize just how much work it really was. And it was definitely more than I imagined.

When I decided that I wanted to make it as an audio engineer, I had a lot of work cut out for me. I have to be familiar with the design, installation, and operation of the sound equipment of the recording booth. That means I have to be able to know what each knob and button will do, how any one of them affects the recording, and how to use them to get the sound we want. Musicians are the creative part of the process, and we audio engineers interpret their creative visions through technical means. It's a lot of work, but still, with everything I'm learning now, I've got the recording connection to be a part in the making of a great record.

Kelly Hardwick - Las Vegas, Nevada

Kelly Hardwick

Las Vegas, Nevada - Recording Connection Student

Ever since I listened to Michael Jackson's BAD album I have wanted to be a part of the Recording Industry. I know its the artist's work, but its a sense of professional pride to hear your work on the radio or in a club.

Recording Connections helped me live my dream. The great thing is that I was able to study from home and at my own schedule. The "Real world experience" and Hands on Pro tools was a real bonus.

To make it in this industry you have to have a real desire to succeed, and Recording Connections really nurtures that. The program is individually tailored to each student and you train with your own personal mentor. There is no better way to train to be in the recording industry than with Recording Connections.

Manuel Ramirez - Manchester, New Hampshire

Manuel Ramirez

Recording Connection - Manchester, New Hampshire

I realize that realistically, a diploma can only get us so far. And in an industry as cutthroat and competitive as the recording industry, it's going to be tough to make something of ourselves with just a diploma. Lots of times, the companies we want to work for wants someone with experience, someone who knows their way around a recording studio. It's a fast-paced industry, I don't think they want to spend their time teaching the basics to their new employees.

So I want to be able to impress my possible employers that I know more than just those that are found in books and taught in classrooms. And I've got it, thanks to my mentor, who is teaching me all these things that I need to give me an edge that I need to have a successful career. One-on-one mentoring is such an effective tool, at least for me. I could barely have the patience to sit in a classroom and listen to someone go on and on. I mean, it's not so bad. Studying is important too, of course. But I feel like I learn more quickly when someone shows me, like how to operate the equipment in a recording booth. I even get to work it from time to time, so I know exactly what to do should I get employed once I finish my course. And I'm sure getting employed won't be that difficult since I've got this recording connection that's showing me how to be able to be successful in this industry.

Lilliane Richardson - Seattle, Washington

Lilliane Richardson

Seattle, Washington - Recording Connection Student

I love country music. Though growing up in Washington, my parents were from the South, I grew up with country; it was everywhere in our house. And I just never cease to fall in love with it. And wherever I go, I always feel right at home whenever I listen to some good ole country. But though I have such an appreciation for this music, I'm not musically gifted in the most conventional sense. I can sing a tune, but nothing spectacular; and I can play enough piano to play some tunes, nothing much beyond that. But I know I have an ear for it, which is why I wanted to be a recording producer.

There are so many people out there who look down on this music, thinking of us as just hicks from down South; but it's not. And as amazing as rock or hip-hop or alternative is, so it country. And as a recording producer, I feel like I could be able to spread country music to those who haven't heard enough of it to really appreciate it. And I'm happy with what I'm learning here, the ins and outs of the recording business, the equipment used in a recording studio. There's my mentor who is an actual recording producer who's teaching me so many things that are even more amazing since they're from his experience, not just stuff from books.

I can't wait to learn more, to have more of this recording connection so I'll be able to reach out to more people with the music that I love so much.