Michael S. Jones

Campus Director /Director of Education Tempe
Audio Recording & Production Instructor

Michael graduated from the Academy of Recording in 1988, interned, and began working at several Phoenix and Los Angeles studios. He is trained in the operation of audio products from Solid State Logic, Neve and is one of the first Digidesign Certified Pro Tools Instructors in the world. He began teaching for the Conservatory in 1990, and became Director of Education in 1994. Some of Michael’s engineering credits include: Evanescence, Disney’s Lion King, Kevin Gilbert, iTunes, Yahoo! Music, Robbie Nevil, Joe Morris, Wayman Tisdale, Kris Tyler, Jessie McGuire, Chester Bennington, The Phoenix Suns, Fender, Arsenio Hall, The White House, and the 20th Century Fox motion picture soundtrack for Alien Resurrection. His commercial work has won Addie Awards and a Gold Medal from the International Film & TV Festival of New York. Michael is a recipient of the Arizona Private School Association Outstanding Teacher Award (Trade and Technical). Jones has beta-tested products for Fender, Røde and Hafler Professional, and has contributed product evaluations for Pro Audio Review magazine. In addition to his work at the Conservatory, Jones is an independent studio owner who engineers and produces both music and commercial projects.

Kevin Becka

Director of Education-Gilbert
Audio Recording & Production Instructor

Kevin has a long history with the Conservatory, having taught recording at the Tempe location from 1995 to 1998. He then moved to Washington, D.C. and then Nashville, Tennessee where he served for four years as U.S. editor for the British publication Audio Media and editor of Pro Audio Review. While in Nashville he served as an adjunct professor at Belmont University, teaching Advanced Recording at the Mike Curb School of Music. A member of ASCAP, the Audio Engineering Society (AES), Society of Professional Audio Recording Services (SPARS) and a voting member of the National Association of Recording Arts and Sciences (NARAS). Kevin has engineered multi-Platinum and Grammy winning records for Kenny G, George Benson, Al Jarreau, Quincy Jones and Michael Bolton among others. He is currently the Technical Editor for Mix Magazine where he heads up the product review department and writes features. In 2007, Kevin was named for a three-year position as a SPARS Board member.

James Bender

Live Sound Instructor

Jim is highly qualified in a number of areas, including audio, video and installation. He holds an Associate’s Degree in Electronics and has a variety of experience in many aspects of the entertainment industry. Jim has spent the majority of his live sound career in “Monitor Land” for the likes of the Dixie Dregs, Dave Koz, and George Clinton & the P-Funk All-Stars among others. He spent 6 years away from music in project management and installation technology for a large audio/video systems firm and now directs his energies toward perfecting his skills and sharing information and his passion for the music industry as a Conservatory instructor. Jim also owns and operates a DAW-based studio in Arizona.

John Berry

Music Business Instructor

John is a former Artist-in-Residence and Director of Jazz Studies at Grand Canyon University in Phoenix. He is a major composer and arranger of jazz ensemble music, having published some 300 works with Hal Leonard, Kendor Music, and Jenson Publications. John spent ten years with the U.S. Army’s famed Jazz Ambassadors as assistant director, chief arranger, and bass trombonist. His 160-page book, The Jazz Ensemble Director’s Handbook (published by Hal Leonard), has received excellent reviews in Down Beat and other prestigious magazines. Mr. Berry holds a Bachelor Degree of Science (BS) in Communications, a Masters Degree (MS) in Human Resources and has taught at Arizona State University, Indiana University, Mesa Community College and Ottawa University in Phoenix, AZ.

Robert Brock

Digital Instructor

Brock is a veteran teacher that has served at the Conservatory since 1992. Brock is also contracted as a Logic Pro trainer with Apple Inc. and in that capacity has travelled world wide training trainers, resellers and end users. He has also written and provided voiceovers for Apple’s online video tutorials. As a writer he regularly contributes articles to professional audio trade magazines and has served as co-author, contributing writer and technical editor for the Logic and Soundtrack Pro books in the Apple Pro Training Series published by Peachpit Press. In 2009 Brock was awarded the honor of becoming an Apple Distinguished Educator due to his involvement in spearheading the 1 to 1 laptop initiative at the Conservatory. Brock also works as an engineer, producer, and audio consultant in addition to performing regularly as an accomplished keyboardist.

Brian Burrill

Audio Recording & Production Instructor

Brian is a freelance theatrical sound designer and multi-instrumentalist with over twenty years of experience as a consultant and educator. His contributions to area theater productions have garnered critical praise. In addition to working as resident sound designer for the Phoenix-based Black Theatre Troupe for the past four seasons, Brian has toured internationally both as a sound engineer and performer. Currently, he operates Pawprint Studios, performs locally in a variety of venues and is developing software and method books for alternative music education. Brian is a Logic Pro 8 Certified Trainer.

Terry Bussoletti

Troubleshooting and Commercial Production Instructor

Terry has spent the last 20 years in Phoenix working as a pro audio repair technician and is certified by Tascam, Fostex, Fender, Korg, Marshall, Yamaha, Mackie, Peavey, SLM and a range of other manufacturers. He holds an Associates of Applied Sciences Degree (A.A.S.), in Electronic Engineering Technology from Mesa Community College and a Bachelors of Science in Education from Penn State University. Mr. Bussoletti is a member of the Pi Lambda Theta International Honor Society and Professional Association in Education. Terry also plays music professionally with Desert Gumbo and owns his own repair business, Pro Audio Repair, specializing in the repair and modification of tube amplifiers.

Beth Caldwell

Audio Recording & Production Instructor

Beth is a freelance engineer whose credits include a wide variety artists such as UFO/MSG guitarist Michael Schenker, Tempe-based indie rock band Transgojobot, jazz guitarist Bob McCarroll, goth rock/industrial bands Reliquary and À Rebours, toy box goth band Razor Blade Kisses and the Glendale Community College Percussion Ensemble. Beth received a Bachelor’s degree in Music from Central Missouri State University (now the University of Central Missouri) where she concentrated mainly on concert and marching percussion. She has performed with many renowned groups and conductors, is a contributing writer for Pro Audio Review magazine and co-owner of Final Joy Records.

Sean Conkling Pro Tools, Game Audio and Mastering Instructor Sean has been playing music and touring both as a musician and front of house engineer for many years. He has released records with his bands and worked with many musicians including members of Ministry, Butthole Surfers and the legendary Today is the Day. Sean is a Digidesign Certified Instructor and proficient in the operation of Audio Kinetic’s Wwise audio pipeline solution for the game industry.

Bobby Frasier

Audio Recording & Production and Digital Instructor

Bobby has worked in virtually every facet of professional audio. He’s worked for five years in a commercial production studio with award-winning producers, engineers and talent as a first and second engineer. Bobby has also worked for EAR Professional Audio in Phoenix, Arizona which took him into the world of professional audio manufacturing. Following his work at EAR, he worked at Solid State Logic, Panasonic Broadcast & Television Systems, Alesis Corporation and for Yamaha Pro Audio & Combo Division. Bobby writes product reviews for Mix Magazine.

Christopher M. Gough

Pro Tools Instructor

Chris is a composer and sound designer for many national television and radio advertising campaigns including Southwest Airlines and Trailways. He has served as a songwriter, musician, arranger, and producer of dozens of albums. Mr. Gough was bestowed the Best Song Award for his work on the WKDB compilation 375 East of LA. He is a Gold Medal Award winner in film scoring at the International Film & TV Festival of New York, and is one of the first Avid/Digidesign Certified Tools Instructors in the world. Mr. Gough holds a Bachelor’s Degree (BS) in Music from Loyola University, and is among the most sought-after session musicians in the Southwest.

Jeffrey Harris

Audio Recording & Production Instructor

Jeffrey brings over 30 years of industry experience to the classroom. His industry involvement began at Record Plant Studios in New York. He then traveled to Los Angeles and during a 17-year tenure at the Village Recorder, served as Supervisor of Electronic Studio Maintenance, Chief Recording Engineer, and General Manager. His album credits include Animation’s “Obsession”, Supertramp’s “Breakfast in America”, Keith Emerson (Emerson, Lake, & Palmer), The Phoenix Symphony , Wayman Tisdale, The Kingston Trio, Esteban and George Benson. In the realm of film, he has been involved with sound design for Disney’s Tron, The Seventh Sign with Demi Moore, and Stephen King’s Creepshow. His television post-production work includes many national commercials and the 1988 ABC Network Fall Campaign. Harris currently operates a studio design and consulting firm in Arizona and is in demand as an independent producer and engineer.

Brandon Hickey

Post Production and Surround Instructor

Brandon got his start playing in bands and recording at home. In an effort to improve his craft, Brandon attended classes with the legendary Mark Rubel at Pogo Studios in Champaign, IL and later attended the Conservatory of Recording Arts and Sciences. After graduating from the Conservatory, he went on to work at Studiochicago assisting on sessions in a wide variety of styles ranging from hiphop to jazz. He is currently a freelance engineer working with such artists as the Chicago-based Gunslinger’s Dream.

Dirk Hooley Audio Recording & Production Instructor Dirk is a musician and freelance engineer who has worked with many Arizona local artists such as Big Moxie, Ember Coast, Mo Slade, Rebellion and others. Dirk works locally at a number of studios and is known as a “jack of all trades” around the Conservatory in reference to the variety of classes he teaches. Dirk is a Conservatory graduate and a contributing writer for Pro Audio Review magazine.

Dave Kalberg

Audio Recording & Production Instructor

Dave has a varied background in AV integration, recording and live sound. He’s worked as a FOH engineer for Merv Griffin, GAP Fashion, Victoria’s Secret and the Johnny Walker Tasting Tour. He’s also done custom AV integration and built video conferencing and “smart” rooms for a variety of corporate clients. His engineering credits include CDs for the bands Session 3, Hip Graffiti and Ties. Dave teaches the Game Audio Classes, SSL automation, Pro Tools, and Mastering.

David LaBounty

Audio Recording & Production Instructor

Dave is an audio engineer with extensive experience in many areas of audio and music. As a musician, he has played and engineered for the notable Arizona and Great Atomic Power, Lik Shotz and Resistance. David is a trained luthier, a graduate from the Roberto-Venn School of Luthiery, and has utilized these skills touring as a bass guitar technician with noted jazz bassist Wayman Tisdale. He has served as the live sound engineer for the group THC and has assisted noted LA engineer Jeff Poe (Santana) with the Phunk Junkees. Mr. LaBounty is also a contractually obliged songwriter with two different organizations. In addition to his education from Roberto-Venn, David has also studied at Glendale Community College, and is a graduate of the Conservatory.

Alan Leggett Audio Recording & Production Instructor Prior to becoming an instructor at the Conservatory, Alan worked at several recording studios in Los Angeles. He has been involved in the engineering of, and has worked on albums for many major label artists ranging from Stevie Wonder to R. Kelly. Currently, Alan is a freelance engineer who has produced, engineered, and mixed albums for independent artists such as Rozaline.

Matthew Luckett

Head of the Project Staff
Audio Recording & Production Instructor

Matthew is an audio engineer with experience in many areas of audio and music. He has worked as a live sound engineer and drum technician for many years. As a musician/engineer, he has played and engineered for 3 and Change, Hurricane Kreek, The Nova Tree, Party After 5, Six Steps to Sara, Super Deluxe, Le In demo, Anita Exira and is a Brown Bottle Session Player. Matthew has engineered for, Raging River, Stump Clark, GoGaTa, Shatter Mask, Point of Violence and Toe-Rag. Co-Owner of All in Productions, he has also worked for NEC Inc. and Fox Sports. Matthew attended The School of the Art Institute of Chicago and is a Conservatory graduate.

Keith Morris

Live Sound Instructor

Keith is a highly experienced live sound engineer who has based his career in Phoenix, AZ. Keith started working at ESP Sound and Lighting, which for ten years supplied audio and staging services for Evening Star Productions. He is a design consultant installing sound systems for local clubs including Gibson’s, The Roadhouse, and a variety of churches. Since 1995, Mr. Morris has served as front-of-house engineer, production manager, and tour manager for U.F.O., the Michael Schenker Group, and John Norum (guitarist formerly with the group “Europe”), and also worked with such talents as Joe Satriani, and Pantera. He also worked as front-of-house engineer and production manager at the Cajun House in Scottsdale, AZ. Keith studied analog troubleshooting and AC/DC electronics at the DeVry Institute. He is a writer of equipment reviews for Pro Audio Review as well as Pro Sound News.

Phillip Nichols Pro Tools & Audio Recording & Production Instructor Phillip has worked with artists such as Fleetwood Mac, Robert Cray, The Killers, Michelle Branch, Smash Mouth, and The Lovemakers. As a freelance engineer, he recently completed a record for the independent artist Anita Exira. At the Conservatory, Phil teaches classes for Pro Tools, SSL, Neotek, Auto-Tune pitch correction software, and the TC Electronic System 6000.

Tony Nunes

Audio Recording & Production Instructor

Tony is an audio engineer with experience in many audio genres. In New York City, Tony worked at Classic Sound where he recorded orchestral and symphonic music, including sessions at historic Carnegie Hall. He also worked on recordings for Ravi Shankar Live at Carnegie Hall, André Previn Live at the Jazz Standard, David Finck, Broadway musical writer William Finn, Jessie McGuire, The MET Chamber Ensemble conducted by James Levine and mixes for Evanescence’s Yahoo! Music Live Sets. Tony is also a contributing writer for Mix Magazine.

Glen O’Hara

Music Business Instructor

Glen is the president of OCI Records which releases multi-channel music for DTS, Dolby Digital and new DVD formats. He started in the industry in 1971 with Soundmaster Recording, a state-of-the-art multitrack studio in Chicago. A US Naval Air veteran, Glen was an anti-submarine warfare specialist on the Lockheed P-3 aircraft, affording him a unique opportunity to study underwater acoustics and use military equipment in Fourier analysis and acoustic pattern recognition. He also spent many years in the manufacturing industry working with multi-user UNIX-based computer systems as well as real-time process controls. Mr. O’Hara has contributed to Pro Audio Review and Mix Magazine.

Cory W. Patterson

Audio Recording & Production Instuctor

Cory has worked as the head engineer for the Improv Comedy Club in Tempe, Arizona, where he recorded SNL’s Darrell Hammond, Comedy Central’s Carlos Mencia, actors Kevin Pollack and Nick Swardson, Fear Factor’s Joe Rogan and Celebrity Fit Club’s ANT among others. He first interned at Universal Studios in Hollywood where he worked on the movie “Honey”. He is certified in the operation of EAW’s Smaart software, Digidesign’s Pro Tools and the JBL VerTec line array. Before coming to the Conservatory of Recording Arts, Cory received a degree in music from Northwest College where he studied Jazz.

Paul Richards

Audio Recording & Production, MIDI/ Digital Instructor

Paul has recorded over 150 concerts of the Phoenix Symphony Orchestra capturing performances by Yo-Yo Ma, Andre Watts, Evelyn Glennie, and Hilary Hahn. He has also recorded the Symphony of the West Valley, Phoenix Youth Symphony, and the St. Olaf’s College Symphony Orchestra. Paul runs Small Planet Audio, a mobile multitrack recording service; his engineering credits include Out Of Reverie, Grove Street, Shannon Carlton, and Terraplane. In addition, he is a contributing writer for Pro Audio Review magazine. Paul is a graduate of both the Conservatory and Michigan State University.

Jason Robey Digital Instructor Jason has been involved in recording as well as performing music since 1992 and has been working with MIDI and digital music since 1995. He is certified in Digideisgn’s Pro Tools, Properllerheads’ Reason and specializes in Apple’s Logic, Cakewalk SONAR, Web programming and graphic design. He has recorded indie artists Pete De Souza and One Last Peace. He also has a degree in Communications from Utah State University. Jason is a Logic Pro 8 Certified Trainer.

Eli Salazar

Pro Tools Instructor

Eli has worked as a front of house engineer for artists such as Yellow Second, Showbread, O.C. Supertones, and Roper. He also plays guitar and works on original music in his project studio. Eli Teaches Pro Tools, Introduction to the C|24, D-room signal flow and Neotek review classes. Before attending the Conservatory, Eli received a B.S. degree from Colorado State University- Pueblo. He studied Mass Communications with an emphasis in radio broadcasting and minored in music. Eli is a collector of guitars and action figures.

Nancy Scharlau-Murman

Audio Recording & Production Instructor

Nancy brings nearly a decade of high-level experience to the Conservatory. She served as an engineer/digital editor at Different Fur Recording and freelanced at several other studios in San Francisco from 1990 to 1996, working with a diversity of artists such as Bobby McFerrin, Primus, Thomas Dolby, Tuck and Patti, Paula Cole, Faith No More and Henry Butler. She worked on George Winston’s Grammy Award-winning release Forest, for which she received a Visionary Award from 3M. Since 1993, Ms. Scharlau has owned and operated Joey Mobile Recording. Nancy holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Music (major area of concentration-Engineering and Music Production) from Berklee College of Music in Boston Massachusetts.

Jeff Thomas

Audio Recording & Production Instructor

Jeff brings over a decade of major-label level experience to the Conservatory. He has earned 7 Platinum and 3 Gold Records working at such renowned Los Angeles studios as the Village Recorder, Royaltone, Sunset Sound, and Conway, with notable producers like David Foster, Trevor Horn, Nile Rodgers, and Tony Visconti. Jeff won a Grammy working with legendary producer Quincy Jones. Jeff’s other engineering credits include Don Henley, Rod Stewart, Smashing Pumpkins, Metallica, Peter Gabriel, and Paula Abdul and the Rolling Stones.

Bradley Torrison

Audio Recording & Production Instructor

Bradley is active in the industry as both a live sound engineer as well as a freelance recording engineer for studios and mobile recording. He has worked for Century media, recorded bands for Hammermill Records and spent 3 years in Tucson working for various studios ,during which time he recorded nearly 50 bands and solo artists. He teaches the Advanced Neotek Elite class and also shares his experiences in Live sound in a program we call our “P.A. Boot Camp”.

Student IT Support

Jason Losett

Conservatory IT Director

Jason is currently the head of the IT department and specializes in student laptop support, including software and hardware support, and continuing education with Apple.

Jason is also a Digidesign certified Pro Tools instructor and creator of the Conservatory's 5 Tiered Pro Tools certification program. In addition to Pro Tools instruction and curriculum development, he is an APSA certified adult educator, and the Conservatory AES faculty advisor. Jason has worked on curriculum development for certifications from Antares and Propellerhead. Jason is the head engineer and studio manager of a private studio in Phoenix, AZ. He is a free lance recording engineer whose credits include artists with Comedy Central.

Ryan O’Farell

IT Support- Gilbert

After receiving formal training from the Conservatory, Ryan moved to Nashville and worked as a Label Brand Manager for Beatmart Recordings. He assisted Producer/ Engineer Paul Mills with tracking and mixing on the album “Sleepwalkers” by Nashville based band Spur 58, assisting in live sound on tour dates as well. While in Nashville he was also responsible for running sound at Clearview Baptist Church. In May of 2007, Ryan relocated back to Arizona and was soon hired in the IT department at the Conservatory. He is the Student IT Support representative at the Gilbert location. Ryan is a multifaceted musician and has played guitar for 9 years. He is currently leading worship for the High School and Junior High departments at Sun Valley Community Church.