Women's Audio Mission - Fall Academy 2026 (San Francisco)

Dive into the world of audio production with our intensive training 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.

In Level 1, you will learn all the essential audio fundamentals and even learn to solder your own XLR cables! In the more intermediate Level 2 class, you will gain hands-on experience recording at WAM's world-class recording studio, and study the anatomy of mixing in Pro Tools. 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 who are hungry for more, you can easily combine WAM Academy with our Pro Tools Fundamentals 101 and 110 classes (scheduled to take place October 10th & 11th and 16th-18th).

If you have any questions, or for member discounts, feel free to email us at [email protected].

Level 1 - Basic Audio Production

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 class 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
• Learn the basics of digital audio recording with digital audio workstations like Pro Tools
• Plus, learn how to solder and make your own cables!

Course Schedule: Level 1 Basic Audio Production

• Dates: September 2nd - October 14th
• Times: Wednesdays 6:30pm - 9pm (PST)
• Location: WAM SF Learning Lab, 447 Minna St, San Francisco, CA 94103

Unlock your recording potential and put your skills into action in WAM’s professional recording studios over the cours of this 9 week program. Immerse yourself in the art of studio consoles and processors, and dive into mixing and signal processing while being surrounded by a supportive and encouraging community. This intermediate-level course is designed to take your recording and mixing expertise to new heights in a professional studio setting. If you’re already familiar with some signal flow, microphone types, and sound fundamentals, this course is the perfect opportunity for you to take your skills to the next level.

This class covers:

At the WAM Studio (Level 2a - 5 classes):

• Large Format Console Signal Flow & Patchbays
• Auxes & Inserts
• Headphone Mixes
• Mic placement techniques
• Plus a real, student-led recording session with a local artist!

In our Pro Tools-equipped learning lab (Level 2b - 4 classes):

• Editing and Vocal Comping
• EQ, Dynamic, and Time-based processing
• Anatomy of a mix
• Hands-on access to Pro Tools

Level 2 Prerequisites

Academy Level 1 or equivalent basic audio training and some DAW experience is strongly recommended. Attendees should understand basic signal flow, types of microphones, and a basic understanding of recording and mixing going into this course.

Course Schedule: Level 2 Studio Recording, Production, Mixing, and Signal Processin

• Dates: October 21st - December 16th
• Times: Wednesdays 6:30pm - 9pm (PST)
  please note:
  - the recording session class on November 18th starts early at 5pm
  - there is no class on November 25th (in observance of Thanksgiving)
• Location(s):
  - Level 2a: WAM Studios, 542 Natoma St, San Francisco, CA 94103
  - Level 2b: WAM SF Learning Lab, 447 Minna St, San Francisco, CA 94103

• Early Bird Level 1 ONLY - $300
• Early Bird Level 2 ONLY - $350
• Early Bird Bundle (Level 1 + Level 2) - $600

• Level 1 ONLY - $350
• Level 2 ONLY - $400
• Bundle (Level 1 + Level 2) - $700

Want to go even deeper into audio? Supercharge your learning with our WAM Academy + Pro Tools Bundle - Combine Academy Levels 1 + 2 with our Pro Tools Fundamentals 101 + 110 courses to become a Pro Tools Certified User and learn all you need to know to master the DAW. Click here for more details on our Pro Tools Fundamentals course.

• WAM Academy + Pro Tools Bundle - $1075 ($1250 value)

• Member Level 1 ONLY - $280
• Member Level 2 ONLY - $320
• Member Bundle (Level 1 + Level 2) - $525

WAM's 2026 SF Fall Academy will be conducted in person only.

Additional Information: Attendees can receive refunds up to 7 days before the Level 1 course start date. See FAQ below for more details.

Instructors:

Arielle Flinkman is an audio engineer, educator and DJ based in San Francisco. Arielle received her BA from the University of San Francisco in 2014 with a degree in Media Studies and a focus on film production. From there, her love for film and arts exhibition led her to becoming the Operations Manager of the historic Roxie Theater in San Francisco, where she developed a love for working A/V and film projection behind the scenes and has since worked the Bay Area film festival circuit doing operations and tech at festivals like SFFILM, NVFF, and SF Sketchfest.
In 2018, Arielle decided to take a chance on her love for DJing, music, and audio technology and began taking audio production courses at City College of San Francisco, obtaining certificates in studio recording and live sound. She has since honed her skills as a live sound engineer at venues such as El Rio, Amado's, and the Brava Theater, and became the Lead Engineer and Studio Manager at WAM Studios in 2023. Since her time at WAM, Arielle has engineered sessions for artists like Diana Gameros, August Lee Stevens, and Pleeay. As a proud WAM intern alumni and a longtime lover of education, Arielle became WAM's SF Adult Education Manager in 2025, shifting her focus to teaching and organizing WAM's year-round offering of educational events and workshops. Arielle believes that her superpower as an engineer is being a forever-student, and not only constantly paying it forward to the next generation of engineers, but learning from them in return. The ability of the community to sustain and lift each other up, no matter what level you are at in your career, is so critical.

Minji Will (she/her) is an educator, musician, and audio engineer from Chicago. With a degree in music education, she has experience teaching in public schools, at The People’s Music School, and music directing at various community theaters.

Minji believes music production and audio engineering are expansive and transformative tools for self-expression and collaboration, and she has dedicated herself to learning the craft. She has experience as a staff engineer, and studio manager at Gravity Studios in Chicago. Minji is excited to merge her educational, administrative, and technical background to support WAM’s mission.

Sammie Wallinga (She/Her) is a producer, recordist, and mix engineer with a deep love for all things heavy and heartfelt, Sammie is always chasing the rough edges and happy accidents that make a song feel real.
She’s a classically trained percussionist and self-taught guitar shredder who grew up gigging in punk and jazz bands. Over the years, she’s played everything from experimental art-rock to sludge metal, and still plays live whenever possible.
Originally from Chicago, Sammie spent nearly a decade in IT infrastructure and software engineering before making the financially questionable but spiritually correct decision to go all-in on music. A former WAM intern, Sammie honed her craft as a house engineer at the legendary Record Plant in Sausalito.
As Studio Manager and Staff Engineer at WAM, Sammie keeps the sessions smooth, the gear humming, and the interns happily over-informed. She’s especially passionate about supporting queer artists and creating a recording environment where everyone feels safe turning up and pushing the bounds of their creative imaginations.

________________________

Please email [email protected].

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.

Visit our website: https://womensaudiomission.org/training/wamacademy/

Become a WAM Member here.

Event Venue & Nearby Stays

Women's Audio Mission, 447 Minna St, San Francisco, United States

Concerts, fests, parties, meetups - all the happenings, one place.

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