Stan Piekarski, ’90: Work, Passion, Goals, Guitars . . .

Posted on June 14, 2013 by Tanya Seale

Stan Piekarski, Media Communications, ’90

Stan Piekarski graduated with a BA in Media Communications in 1990. He is now a Sound Designer at Visiontracks, Inc., a St. Louis-based, full-service multimedia production company specializing in video/audio production, multimedia programming, live events, web design, media marketing, e-Learning, and interactive video training. Stan also gives back to Webster by partnering with the Center for Portfolio Development & Internships to host School of Communications student interns.

We asked Stan to give us a better idea what it is that he does, and how he advises those who’d like to follow a similar career path. Continue reading →

Chelsea VandeDrink, ’06, Records Philip Glass in World Premier at Cincinnati Orchestra

Posted on June 14, 2013 by Tanya Seale

Chelsea VandeDrink, graduate of the department of Audio Aesthetics and Technology, has recorded Philip Glass’ important new work “Cello Concerto No. 2, Naqoyqatsi” with cellist Matt Haimovitz. This newly released recording is now being featured on iTunes. It is Chelsea’s fifth CD for the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra, where she is the recording engineer. Read more about the music here.

Alumni-Produced Film Now Showing at St. Louis Theaters

Posted on August 28, 2009 by Mindy Berkowitz

When Matthew Scott Krentz asked around town for help on an independent film project, he found Webster University student Nicholas Gartner … and more than a dozen or so other Webster University students and alumni willing to join the crew.

The completed independent film project, “Streetballers,” is now playing in theaters in St. Louis. It is a co-production of Dan Gartner‘s Counterhound Productions, which handled all production logistics and coordination.

Continue reading →

The Reality of Life as a Professional Sound Mixer

Posted on September 17, 2008 by Mindy Berkowitz

Tyson Schaffner in Belize

As he shimmied through the narrow passageway inside the tomb of a collapsed Egyptian pyramid, Tyson Schaffner (BA, Audio Production, 2001) knew his wasn’t a traditional job in the audio industry.

“I told everyone, ‘Let’s take 30 seconds and think about it — we’reinside the tomb of a collapsed pyramid,’” said Shaffner, a freelance sound mixer. “I still like music recording, but you’re just not going to get that kind of experience in a studio.”
Continue reading →

Dean’s Discretionary Fund Earmarked for Student Travel

Posted on January 22, 2008 by Mindy Berkowitz

Sanjin Alisic wasn’t even sure he wanted to attend.

The 2007 SIGGRAPH International Conference and Exhibition on Computer Graphics and Interactive Technologies was across the country in San Diego, Calif. — an expensive plane ticket for an experience Alisic wasn’t sure would be worth it.

It was the supportive financial nudge from the dean’s office that made the trip possible. Continue reading →

Technology Purchases Keep SOC at the Top of the Class

Posted on January 22, 2008 by Mindy Berkowitz

audioboard

The holiday season may have come and gone, but for audio production students it seems the presents keep on coming.

Earlier this month the Media Center unveiled its latest purchase — a state-of-the-art Solid State Logic Duality board that senior Audio Production major Dan Shea called “absolutely incredible.”

The mixing console combines the latest technology to create an analog board for the digital age. It features new dual mic pre’s, slit channel path, comprehensive sound, constant visual feedback, multi-operator total recall and session management. Continue reading →

Pride in Print

Posted on September 22, 2007 by Mindy Berkowitz

A number of works from SOC faculty recently have found their way from publishers’ desks onto the sales racks. In this issue of SCAN, we highlight three faculty members who’s work has been published in the past year: Don Corrigan, Journalism; Gary Gottlieb, Audio Production; and, Susan Stang, Photography.

Continue reading →

Just Landed: Chelsea VandeDrink ’06

Posted on September 22, 2007 by Mindy Berkowitz

Chelsea VandeDrink

SCAN highlights School of Communications alumni who recently landed jobs in their field. Chelsea VandeDrink (BA, Audio Production and Music, 2006) works as recording, mastering and production engineer with Cincinnati Public Radio in Cincinnati, Ohio.

SCAN: How did you land your job?

Chelsea VandeDrink: I interned with Cincinnati Public Radio the summer of 2006 under the mentoring of Alex Kosiorek. It was an extremely busy internship and I was here at just the right time. It was opera season and we had to set up in the pit and on stage. We were also conducting several surround-sound tests with Neural in addition to tests in coordination with NPR. Fortunately for me and my predecessor, Alex received a teaching position at the Cleveland Institute of Music. The job freed up and they asked him for recommendations of who to call and he recommended me. Continue reading →

Student Organizations Benefit Beyond Student Years

Posted on January 23, 2007 by Mindy Berkowitz

aes

When it comes to finding a new job or advancing in the industry — whether you’re a soon-to-be graduate or an eager-to-move-up-employee — who you know more often trumps what you know.

Few understand this better than professional organizations set up to introduce their members to just the right people. Continue reading →

Just Landed: Joshua Hearst ’06

Posted on September 10, 2006 by Mindy Berkowitz

Joshua_Hearst

SCAN highlights School of Communications alumni who recently landed jobs in their field. Joshua Hearst (BA, Audio Production, 2006) works as freelance audio engineer and independent consultant in Los Angeles.