I love music. Growing up in Nanaimo BC, I started playing piano in elementary school, but it wasn't until high school when I picked up an electric guitar that I really found a way to express myself musically. Drawn in by all the pedals and sounds I could achieve with just one instrument, I was hooked. By 17 years old I was gigging in bands playing original progressive rock that evolved over 10 years and hundreds of shows. Writing dozens of songs, releasing four independent EP's and handling all of the management duties in my most successful endeavour: The Day He Quit, I learned how important a good audio engineer can be to make show really stand out.
In 2010 I took my love of live performances to the next step and enrolled in a Live Sound certification course taught by industry legend Randy Bergner (FOH engineer for The Scorpions, Trooper, and many more) through the world renowned guitar luthier school Summit School. Shortly after graduation I secured a full-time job in Randy’s business ELS Pro Audio based in Coombs BC, managing the electronics repair shop and helping Randy on their concert production as an A2 technician. Randy was a wealth of knowledge on everything from tour management, speaker customization, mixing, equipment maintenance, and making people smile.
During my time at ELS Pro Audio I familiarized himself with nearly every brand and type of loudspeaker, microphone, mixer and instrument thanks to their extensive electronics and speaker repair business. Working with acclaimed guitar amp builder Mark Stephenson, I built a 30-watt all-tube guitar amp from scratch which I was able to use during The Day He Quit's "Final EP" recording process at Fader Mountain Sound.
During my time at ELS, we upgraded the house PA system at the Rod & Gun Pub, just off the beach in Parksville, BC. After the installation was complete, I took on house tech duties for several hundred events, from Led Zeppelin tribute bands, local favourite cover bands and international touring musicians, to Hip Hop legends and local DJ's. I soon began supplementing the system with my own microphones, outboard gear and cabling, and gained quite a lot of attention for my smooth mixes, attention to detail and great attitude.
After live sound mentor Randy's sudden passing in 2012, I decided to relocate to Victoria beginning what would later become Brown Bear Sound. I worked freelance as an audio engineer for Shortt Sound briefly and was hired for various private events while I built my personal inventory and skillset. My goal is to become a regional sound provider for the incredibly talented musicians that call Vancouver Island their home, or those who visit from afar without the budget for travelling production.
Certificates/Credentials:
4-Week Live Sound Course - Summit School (2010)
Live Performance Electrical Certification (LPEC) from ActSafe (2019)
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