I started getting into audio back home on the Sunshine Coast. Using old school gear like 16-channel boards that recorded directly to a cassette tape and just using what knowledge I had and experimenting. I went to a job fair at my old high school where I saw the pictures hanging on the booth of PAVI's gorgeous Studio A, I ended up applying and receiving a small scholarship. I looked at other schools and at the time, the one thing that PAVI had that other schools don't is a real studio. Other schools have nice studios but PAVI's studios were built to be production houses way before it was a school. The vintage API console, vintage microphone collection and amazing acoustics really helped me make my choice.

After starting the Audio Engineering and Record Production course I was clearly explained how the program works. The whole course is broken down into three semesters or terms over one year. Each term has four different subjects with a different class each day of the week. Each week I had a minimal of one in studio hands on class and on top of that I could book my own studio time with other students called “Scamp”. Personally regardless if I booked the time outside class hours to be in the studio, every day after school I would head over to Studio A and B to see what was going on and ask to just sit in on the session with other students and teachers.

The teachers at PAVI are great! I had the privilege to be taught by established engineers and producers. The business class for audio students is really worth mentioning. I will be honest, I don't think there was a single student in my class that was thinking, “Wow this is interesting”, because we were all geared towards the fun and creative part of the course. But in the end for those of us who paid enough attention, what we were taught was invaluable and I use it everyday. The classes in general were all great, I learned a lot from each one, from the Record Production course which is geared towards song writing and the more creative side of being a producer, to the business and graphic arts classes to learn the paper work, building your career and how to brand yourself as an independent producer or assistant engineer.

While attending PAVI, I started my own small production company. Being confident enough to run a live recording rig at local indie shows, I eventually picked up my own film crew and that was how I made my money while going to school. To be honest, I did miss a lot of classes for it but it paid off in the end. I graduated in September of 2008 and started working at Ear Art Music Studios as a Music Producer and Engineer for a lot of local rock bands as of February 2009. Thanks to what I learned, who I met, and the time I put in, I can't imagine any other way I would have got where I am now if it wasn't for PAVI.

I would highly recommend PAVI's Audio Engineering and Record Production course to anyone interested in pursuing the career of an Audio Engineer or Music Producer. The career choice of an independent producer or engineer is a very hard one. Its something you have to be willing to devote yourself to for a solid 5 years before catching anything close to a break. The benefits do out weigh the challenge, but none the less it is still a long road and it’s honestly not meant for everyone. I can't say I would have done anything different though, it was a rocky road to where I am now, a lot of scraping by the skin of my teeth but now on my 2nd year of business at Ear Art Music Studios, I am starting to see the benefits. I still have a lot of things to learn and a long way to go, but if I didn't get my start at PAVI I don't think I would have taken this choice in a career. Thanks PAVI!

You’re welcome to check out some of my work, visit: www.myspace.com/danatearart