Instructors & Staff
Mark Kirchner
Post-Production Engineer, Producer, Pro Tools Expert (Post)
Instructor: Pro Tools 101, Pro Tools 110, Pro Tools 201, Pro Tools 210P, Pro Tools 310P
Prior to his work in post-production, Mark spent 14 years working with Digidesign, and in his role as Technical Marketing Manager, Mark directed and produced all of the company's product information DVDs and videos. Mark is both a Pro Tools expert and certified Avid editor. He has engineered, produced and mixed post-score, ADR and ISDN dialogue sessions for top film, TV and broadcast commercial clients. Mark is also the founder of a thriving, full-service audio production and rental company, Edit System Rentals, providing Digidesign Pro Tools HD systems and Avid Meridien based Media Composers to recording studios and editorial facilities. His clients include the hit series "Veronica Mars" (UPN 13), "Prison Break," Digidesign and Grand Design Productions, an animation company that develops 3D animated children's television programming with positive moral messaging.
Peter Dyson
Studio Owner (Studio West), School Director (The Recording Arts Center)
A native of England, Peter came to San Diego from the musical town of Austin, Texas in October of 2004. The third owner in Studio West's thirty-five year history, Peter spearheaded a studio expansion and remodeling project in 2005, determined to bring to fruition his vision of a world-class, fully integrated San Diego-based recording studio, comparable to the top facilities in Los Angeles. His thirteen years of professional expertise in strategic business planning, leadership training and human resources for Motorola's Semiconductor Group in Austin and his passion for music have uniquely equipped Peter to assemble a top notch team of engineers and producers at Studio West, and to identify and develop services to better meet the needs of clients. As a drummer, Peter has played and recorded with bands in both England and Austin, and has a musical taste that is as diverse as the artists who have recorded at Studio West over the years.
Bryan Stratman
Producer, Engineer, Musician, Pro Tools Operator (Music), Studio Owner (Capricorn Studios)
Instructor: Pro Tools 101, Pro Tools 110, Pro Tools 201, Pro Tools 210M, Reason
Bryan has music in his blood. His grandfather, an accomplished jazz saxophonist who played professionally for over 50 years, introduced Bryan to music at age 4. Bryan chose the piano and electric keyboard as his main instruments of choice, studying Berkley music theory with a private instructor at a young age. At age 15 he bought his own 4-track tape machine and has been recording ever since. Bryan entered the professional world of recording in 1998 when he produced albums for popular local bands Soulcracker, Wise Monkey Orchestra, Polliwog, Honey Bucket, and D Frost. In November of 2000, Bryan built Capricorn Studios, a thriving 1300 sq ft custom recording facility in downtown San Diego, where he has been perfecting his recording, producing, and musicianship for the past 6 years. He has worked with national bands such as The B-Side Players, Brazilian Girls, Fountains of Wayne, Cattle Decapitation, Killah Priest (of Wu Tang Clan), and Earl Thomas and has performed voice-over recording for Comedy Central, Discovery Channel, M&M Mars, Subaru and others. Bryan's Philosophy: "I bring to the classroom real world examples and techniques that I have learned over the past 10 years to give my students the tools they need to focus on what matters: the music."
Caleb Keiter
Engineer, Pro Tools Expert (Music)
Instructor, Pro Tools 101, Pro Tools 110, Pro Tools 201, Pro Tools 210M, Pro Tools 310M
Caleb is the newest member of the TRAC team, having recently relocated from the East Coast. An avid drummer, and occasional guitarist and keyboardist, Caleb brings his passion for music and audio engineering as well as his experience as a Digidesign Certified Pro Tools Expert Instructor to TRAC. He has taught classes in audio engineering, Pro Tools, and MIDI at the Omega Studios School for the Applied Recording Arts and Sciences in the Washington D.C. area and at Future Media Concepts in New York City. For the past 6 years he has owned and operated a mobile Pro Tools recording system and has worked regularly at Omega Recording Studios, Sound of Music Studios, and Dragonfly Recording Studios on the East Coast. He has lent his expertise to numerous tracking and mixing sessions in genres ranging from pop and rock, to classical, jazz, and even big band and orchestral recordings. Credits include: BFD "Percussion Expansion Pack" by FXPansion, a virtual instrument plug-in for which Caleb recorded all of the samples, and recording and broadcasting a live studio performance by Death Cab For Cutie.He has an Associate’s Degree in Business Administration and attended Omega Studios School for the Applied Recording Arts and Sciences. His sense of humor and expertise insures a fun and productive environment in the studio. When he is not recording, you can usually find him behind his drums or his camera. Caleb’s Philosophy: “When I teach, I do not read from a book. Having everyone explore something together is a better way to learn -- I keep everyone involved. I tend to involve a lot of humor while teaching. If you are laughing, your brain is open!”
Patricio Pickslay
Composer, Songwriter, Musician, Arranger, Producer, Engineer
Instructor: Songwriting and Composition
Patricio has been working professionally as a composer, songwriter/arranger and producer/engineer for well over a decade. His film work has been featured at Cannes and won top honors at Big Bear Lake and Palm Desert film festivals. As a Billboard-charting songwriter and producer, Patricio has partnered with local and international talent to rave reviews. As a musicion, he has shared the stage with musical luminaries Celino and Lito Romero and the studio with SDMA nominee Janae Wilder, Renata Youngblood and Garrett Thomas. Patricio has also worke for the following notable organizations: BMG/RCA, Apple, Sony Interactive, Fox Studios (LA), the San Diego Chamber Orchestra (with Los Romeros Quartet) and David J (Love and Rockets/Capitol). Patricio brings his passion and enthusiasm for composition and film scoring to every course he teaches at The Recording Arts Center.
Paul Tye
Engineer, Producer, Musician, Composer
Instructor: Audio Recording Techniques, Signal Processing with Waves, The Art of Mixing
Paul has extensive experience as both a professional musician and an accomplished recording engineer. He obtained his Bachelor’s Degree in Applied Music (Performance) and a Master’s in Music Education from State University of New York in Buffalo, NY. He has over 20 years experience in teaching recording engineering programs at University of California San Diego, Cerritos College in Los Angeles and various other educational settings in California. He has extensive experience in the design and building of recording studio systems; he was the technical representative for Otari, MCI and other professional audio companies in San Diego for many years. As an engineer, he has extensive credits in the fields of Jazz, Classical, Gospel and Americana and has worked at all the major recording studios in San Diego. He also has extensive experience recording live events including direct to satellite transmission.
Dan Abernathy
Engineer, Musician
Instructor: Audio Recording Techniques, Signal Processing with Waves, The Art of Mixing
Dan is a vastly experienced engineer who is well known and respected in the San Diego musical community. In the 20+ years he has been associated with Studio West, he has recorded countless artists including Al Jarreau, Manhattan Transfer, Patti LaBelle, Randi Crawford and Fatburger. He also has many television and film credits including: "The Cable Guy" with Jim Carrey, Oscar winner "The Usual Suspects" and "Don Juan DeMarco" with Marlon Brando. He is a genius with mic techniques and production music and also specializes in working with large ensembles and remote recordings. Dan brings a wealth of real world experience into the TRAC classroom.
Amy Ziegelman
Director of Marketing and OperationsAmy brings a wealth of instructional design, organizational expertise and management experience to The Recording Arts Center. Working together with Studio West owner, Peter Dyson, Amy has helped to design course content, implement and market the training courses, and is responsible for scheduling and student registration. She also manages the TRAC team of instructors. Amy has created and delivered technical training courses in a wide variety of corporate settings, with clients such as General Motors, Toshiba and Disney. A lifetime student of music with an ongoing passion for the industry, Amy has lent her voice for background vocals on several musical projects and corporate voiceovers. Amy holds a BA in German and Philosophy from The University of Michigan. Amy's Philosophy: "My goal is for every individual coming through TRAC to have a 'gosh-wow!' experience. The enthusiasm and love for music carried by every student into our classrooms needs to be celebrated and strengthened, not just by what we teach but how we teach it."