Women's Audio Mission - Spring Academy

Our expert-led classes dive into the world of audio production, recording, and mixing. Level 1 covers essential fundamentals, while Level 2 includes hands-on studio experience. By the end of the program, you'll possess the knowledge and skills needed to craft professional-grade audio recordings and mixes.

Gain the expertise to produce top-notch audio recordings and mixes at WAM Academy! If you have any questions, feel free to email us at [email protected].

*WAM's 2025 Spring Academy will be conducted in person only.

Uncover the fascinating realm of sound through our comprehensive 8-class foundational series taught by Heidi Trefethen! 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 8-class series you will:

• Gain an understanding of the physics and science behind sound
• Learn basic recording techniques, signal flow and the recording chain
• Learn how microphones work and basic microphone selection and placement
• Get hands-on experience with Pro Tools, exploring its features and capabilities for professional audio production
• Learn how to solder and make your own cables!

Instructor:

• Heidi Trefethen

Locations:

• WAM Education Lab 447 Minna St (4th floor), San Francisco, CA

We recommend taking Level 1 as a prerequisite to all other WAM classes.

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

This 9-class series covers:

In the studio:

• Large Format Console Signal Flow & Patchbays
• Auxes & Inserts
• Headphone Mixes
• Mic placement techniques
• Learn how to run a recording session with a local Bay Area band

In the digital learning lab:

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

Level 2 Prerequisites:

Academy Level 1 or equivalent basic recording training, and Pro Tools 101 or prior experience is strongly recommended. Attendees should understand signal flow, types of microphones, and a basic understanding of recording and mixing going into this course.

Instructors

• Arielle Flinkman
• Lien Do

Locations:

• WAM Education Lab 447 Minna St (4th floor), San Francisco, CA
• WAM Studio 542-544 Natoma Street, #C-1. San Francisco, CA 94103.

Both Academy Level 1 and Level 2 are recommended for those considering applying to WAM’s internship program.

Level 1: Basic Audio Production

• Instructor: Heidi Trefethen
• Time: 6:30 PM – 9:00 PM PST
• Days: Wednesdays, January 22 – March 12
• Special Session: March 12, Soldering Workshop (5:30 PM – 9 PM)

Level 2: Studio Recording, Production, Mixing, and Signal Processing

• Instructors: Lien Do and Arielle Flinkman
• Time: 6:30 PM – 9:00 PM PST
• Days: Wednesdays, March 19 – May 14
• Special Session: April 16, Studio Recording Session (5 PM – 9 PM)

Early Bird Admission: Ends January 1

• Early Bird Level 1 ONLY – $300
• Early Bird Level 2 ONLY – $350

General Admission: Begins January 1

• General Level 1 ONLY – $350
• General Level 2 ONLY – $400
• General Bundle (Level 1 + Level 2) – $650

WAM Member Admission: *WAM Members email [email protected] for your PROMO code.

• WAM Member Level 1 ONLY – $300
• WAM Member Level 2 ONLY – $350

*WAM's 2025 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.

Heidi Trefethen is a recording and live sound engineer, producer, classical and jazz French Hornist, educator and composer. During her 31 years of work in the music industry, Heidi has worked with artists such as Shawn Colvin, Jane Fonda and Lily Tomlin, Michelle Ndegeocello, Herb Alpert and Lani Hall, Peter Yarrow of Peter, Paul, and Mary, and has a Concert Sound credit on PBS' American Masters | Holly Near: Singing for Our Lives.

As a French Hornist, she has performed and given master classes in Italy, Thailand, Bosnia and Herzegovina, the UK, Canada. The LA Philharmonic, Il Teatro d'opera di Roma, the SFJAZZ Monday Night Band and several Bay Area regional orchestras are a few of the ensembles she has performed with. Heidi is a faculty member of the SFJAZZ Digital Lab, Women's Audio Mission, the Institute for the Musical Arts and teaches private classes and lessons.

Heidi is also a GRAMMY® Voting member, Governor on the Board of the San Francisco Chapter of the Recording Academy. She is the San Francisco Chapters' Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Ambassador to the National DEI Team of the Recording Academy. She is passionate about equality and creating a healthy environment for women of color, gender non-conforming and women-identified individuals in the music industry.

Lien Do is a Sacramento-born multi-disciplinary media artist living in the Bay Area. They hold a double bachelor's degree from the University of California at Davis in Music and Design. Their expertise extends to a wide range of fields, including record engineering, ADR, music composition, production, editing, and mixing.

Since 2015, Lien has been serving as the co-owner and co-head engineer of Different Fur Studios in San Francisco, alongside Grace Coleman. They are also the co-founder of LIEMA, a post-audio and film production company, and a core member of the queer Vietnamese media collective, Sunkissed Productions.

Lien is a professor of post-production film audio for the MFA Graduate School program SOCDOC at UC Santa Cruz. They have also delivered guest lectures at various institutions, including UCLA and other community groups. Also, they were featured as an artist in residence at SFMoma's Open Space, where they presented a physics sound installation that explored the potential of harnessing Sympathetic Resonance through future climate change and its impact on communication.

Lastly, they are a music producer who operates under the name Leviathe working with various artists. Throughout their work, Lien demonstrates a deep commitment to accessibility, diversity, and inclusivity in the arts.

Arielle Flinkman (she/her), is an audio engineer, musician and DJ from San Francisco. She is currently the Studio Manager and Lead Engineer at Women’s Audio Mission where she runs the daily operations and recording sessions at WAM’s professional, world class recording studio. In addition to studio engineering, she has a background working as a live sound engineer around Bay Area clubs and venues. She is also a WAM alumni and obtained her certificates in Studio Recording and Sound Reinforcement from the City College of San Francisco. Prior to working in sound, Arielle comes from a long background in A/V technology and film exhibition, obtaining her Bachelor’s degree in Media Studies and Film from the University of San Francisco in 2014. She has worked in film projection, A/V tech, and operations as Operations Manager of the Roxie Theater and as a technician with local festivals. Additionally, she is a vocalist and has been working as a vinyl DJ since 2013.

Please email [email protected].

Become a WAM Member here.

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

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.

Event Venue & Nearby Stays

Women's Audio Mission, Check each course for location, San Francisco, United States