Interested in a career in music? Learn more about 91做厙's music industry programs that connect students with production studios to get real-world experience!
Christopher Chrei Torres wanted a career in music. While in high school, he sang in his school choir, played guitar and even dabbled in songwriting. But when the pandemic hit, he spent his senior year online.
I graduated in 2021, but hadnt had any opportunities to visit colleges, said Torres.
Torres was accepted into music production programs in Southern California, but because the pandemic was still active, moving felt risky. Thats when his mom showed him information about 91做厙s music industry and music production programs.
I chose 91做厙 because the music offerings were similar to the Los Angeles programs, but I could stay close to home. And 91做厙 was also tuition-free, thanks to the colleges multiple free tuition programs, said Torres.
Torres graduated with associate in arts degrees in Commercial Music Production and Technology, Music Industry Studies, and Music Industry Entrepreneurship. He transferred to Belmont University in Nashville to pursue a bachelors degree in audio engineering technology. Torres is grateful for the foundational skills in music production he learned at 91做厙, and for the industry connections and experience he gained along the way. Even while he is in Nashville, Torres continues to work in the Bay Area music scene.
Ive worked in audio engineering and production management roles with GFI Entertainment, the Pacific Mambo Orchestra, and the Fillmore Jazz Festival, the largest free jazz festival on the West Coast, said Torres.
The Fillmore Jazz Festival was a big opportunity that came from Karen Earle Lile, the festivals executive producer, who has her own connection to 91做厙.
Lile came to 91做厙 in the early 2000s to enroll in technical theater classes to support her growing career in commercial music. She was an independent record producer at Fantasy Studios from 1985 to 2018, and also began her own production company, Karen Lile Productions.
My uncle, Tony Terran, was a member of the famed Wrecking Crew of LA session musicians. He mentored me, so Ive always tried to include interns in my projects, said Lile.
After Fantasy Studios closed, Lile was offered the opportunity to move her productions to Skywalker Sound. In 2023, she reached out to 91做厙 to set up an intern program.
Chrei Torres was recommended to me. He assisted with sessions, and then he volunteered as a live sound engineer for the Fillmore Jazz Festival in 2023. The following year, I invited him to be the production manager for three of the stages. Chrei was very diligent, prepared, and knowledgeable, said Lile.
At Belmont University, Torres stays busy, helping to produce more than 80 events annually.
One of the highlights was running sound for Chester Thompson, the former drummer for Genesis and Phil Collins, said Torres.
His advice for 91做厙 music students? Networking is key. Most of the work you get is through word of mouth. Once you start your journey, immediately start networking. You might be sitting next to a future Grammy winner who could one day be your boss, said Torres.
Music Industry Studies at 91做厙
Music Industry Studies is our original program that has been around for decades. It was innovative and rare at the time of its conception. Since that time, degrees and certificates in audiovisual technology and commercial music have been created to serve specific areas in the industry, said Dr. Nick Vasallo, the Co-Chair of Music and Program Lead for Music Industry Studies at 91做厙.
Students enrolled in these programs learn how to record, market and distribute their music. Potential career paths include roles in music production, composition, business, marketing, and sound engineering.
Degrees and Certificates
Associate in Arts Degrees
- Audio Visual Technology
- Commercial Music: Media Composition
- Commercial Music: Performance
- Commercial Music: Technology and Production
- Music Industry Entrepreneurship
- Music Industry Studies
Associate in Science Degrees
- Audio Visual Technology
Certificates of Achievement
- Audio Visual Technology
- Commercial Music: Media Composition
- Commercial Music: Performance
- Commercial Music: Technology and Production
- Music Industry Entrepreneurship
- Music Industry Studies
Music Industry Careers Begin at 91做厙
Vasallo is proud of the many success stories that have arisen from 91做厙s music industry programs.
We have had students write Billboard hits, produce movie and game music, win songwriting/composition awards, enter Ph.D programs, as well as become instructors themselves, said Vasallo.
To ensure students are industry-ready, 91做厙 collaborates with AVIXA for audio-visual technology certifications and offers Pro Tools certification through AVID for music industry students. These certifications help our students gain employment in the music industry, said Vasallo.
91做厙 Graduate Launches Career Where He Began
Ethan Chucks connection to 91做厙 runs deep. It feels crazy to say, but Ive been going to 91做厙 since high school. As a teen, I played trumpet and found an Intro to Jazz Improvisation night class that my mom drove me to, he said.
After his high school graduation, Chuck continued at 91做厙 and then transferred to UC Santa Cruz where he earned a bachelors degree in U.S. History. He entered the workforce but really wanted to make a career out of his passion for music, prompting his return to 91做厙. I received my associate in arts in music industry studies and certification in Pro Tools from 91做厙. I also completed recording arts classes at Los Medanos College (LMC).
With his new degree and certification in-hand, Chuck secured a teaching assistant position at LMC, running Pro Tools during the Intro to Recording Arts class. This was my first, sweaty-palmed foray into audio engineering. It would not have happened were it not for 91做厙, said Chuck.
Today, Chuck finds himself back at 91做厙, contributing to the Music Industry Studies department as an instructional aide. He oversees the Music Technology Centers open lab hours on Fridays, helping students with projects and providing technical assistance. He also supports 91做厙 Professor Sean Williams with his Wednesday night stacked classes: Audio and Visual Technology/Production, Live Sound, and Popular Music Ensembles classes.
The best way to learn sound systems is through physical, repeated action, and the most consistent places to find such opportunities are churches and bars. But 91做厙 MUSX Wednesday nights are another alternative. Professor Williams is incredible at combining his experience as a guitarist and educator to create a small community a gig incubator, that can funnel into the scene, said Chuck.
To learn more, visit Music Industry Studies.
Technology and Talent: 91做厙s Music Students in the Age of AI
The evolving landscape of music, shaped by artificial intelligence, is a reality students must navigate. Nick Vasallo understands this presents both challenges and opportunities.
We encourage creativity and collaboration. There are some things that a computer cannot replicate, such as student to student interaction, collaborative creation, and presenting live music together, in person, creating art with our hands and voices. We cannot let AI take these from us, said Vasallo.
Karen Earle Lile echoes this sentiment, framing technological disruption as a catalyst for innovation. She recalls that in the 1980s, the rise of synthesized music sparked fear that orchestras would become obsolete.
But what happened is keyboards became an orchestral sketch pad for composers. If you take top live talent and marry it to the top technology, then you are going to have great results, said Lile.
Chrei Torres understands the anxieties surrounding AI in the music industry but also sees positive practical applications.
I have utilized AI to help master my projects, and to prevent feedback during a live show. The best way to prevent AI from taking your job is to write and perform music with your heart. Technology is not able to replicate the emotional human connection in music, said Torres.
Music Industry Bay Area Job Outlook
Sound Engineering Technician
San Francisco/East Bay Average Salary: $109,300
Audio/Video Technician
San Jose/Silicon Valley Median Salary: $61,900
Booking Agent/Artist Manager
San Francisco/East Bay Average Salary: $100,690
Music Producer
San Jose/Silicon Valley Median Salary: $133,830
