About this Event
Welcome to WAM Academy!
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 Level 2, you will gain hands-on experience recording at WAM's world-class studio, and study audio editing and signal processing in Pro Tools. By the end of the program, you'll possess the knowledge and skills needed to craft professional-grade audio recordings.
If you have any questions, or for member discounts, feel free to email us at [email protected].
Space is limited, secure your spot now!
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Course Details
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: January 26th - February 16th
- Times: Tuesdays & Thursdays, 6:30pm - 9pm (PST)
PLEASE NOTE:
- The soldering class on February 16th ends late at 9:30pm
- Location: WAM SF Education Lab, 447 Minna St, San Francisco, 94103
Level 2 - Studio Recording, Production, Editing, and Signal Processing
Unlock your recording potential and put your skills into action in WAM’s professional recording studios over the course of this 9-class program. Immerse yourself in the art of studio consoles and processors, and dive into editing and signal processing while being surrounded by a supportive and encouraging community. This intermediate-level course is designed to take your recording and engineering 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:
In our WAM SF world-class recording studio (Level 2a - February 23rd to March 9th):
- Large Format Console Signal Flow & Patchbays
- Auxes & Inserts
- Headphone Mixes
- Mic Placement Techniques
- Plus a real, student-led recording session!
In our Pro Tools-equipped Education Lab (Level 2b - March 11th to 23rd):
- Editing Techniques
- Vocal Comping
- EQ, Dynamic, and Time-based Processing
- 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 signal flow, types of microphones, and a basic understanding of audio engineering going into this course.
Course Schedule: Level 2 Studio Recording, Production, Editing, and Signal Processing
- Dates: February 23rd - March 23rd
- Times: Tuesdays & Thursdays, 6:30pm - 9pm (PST)
PLEASE NOTE:
- The recording session class on March 9th starts early at 5pm - Locations:
- Level 2a (February 23rd to March 9th) - WAM Studios SF, 542 Natoma Street, San Francisco, 94103
- Level 2b (March 11th to March 23rd) - WAM SF Education Lab, 447 Minna Street, San Francisco, 94103
Enrollment Info
*EARLY BIRD SPECIAL - ends January 5th!
- Early Bird Level 1 ONLY - $300
- Early Bird Level 2 ONLY - $350
- Early Bird Bundle (Level 1 + Level 2) - $600
GENERAL ADMISSION
- Level 1 ONLY - $350
- Level 2 ONLY - $400
- Bundle (Level 1 + Level 2) - $700
WAM MEMBER PRICES
*WAM Members email [email protected] for your discount code.
- Member Level 1 ONLY - $280
- Member Level 2 ONLY - $320
- Member Bundle (Level 1 + Level 2) - $525
WAM's 2027 SF Spring 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.
ABOUT THE INSTRUCTORS
Arielle Flinkman (She/Her) is an audio engineer, educator and DJ based in San Francisco, CA. Arielle received her BA from the University of San Francisco in 2014 with a degree in Media Studies and a focus on film production. She honed her technical skills working in A/V and film projection as the Operations Manager of the historic Roxie Theater in SF, and has done operations and tech at festivals such as SFFILM, NVFF, and SF Sketchfest.
In 2018, Arielle found her way to audio technology through DJing and her love for music, and obtained her certificates in studio recording and live sound from City College of San Francisco. She honed her skills as a live sound engineer working at venues such as El Rio, Amado’s, and the Brava Theater, before becoming 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 with a passion for 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. Through WAM, Arielle is honored to have the opportunity to help uplift and sustain such a strong community of audio professionals.
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.
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.
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Questions?
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
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