The CRAS Graduate is a Freelance Audio Engineer Based in New York City and Also Owns and Operates Her Own Production Company…Alexander Audio LLC
Gilbert, Ariz., March 15, 2021 – The Conservatory of Recording Arts & Sciences (CRAS; www.cras.edu), the premier institution for audio engineering education, is proud to announce that CRAS graduate Reya Harris, a freelance audio engineer and production company owner, recently guest hosted a CRAS AES meeting during a Zoom session with current AES student members.
“It was nice to see students leading events amidst a pandemic, and it was also nice to see a fairly large number of students attend the CRAS AES meeting,” said Harris, a 2018 CRAS graduate who owns her own company, Alexander Audio LLC. “I heard from students interested in studio, live sound, some already working in live sound and broadcast, gaming, and more. There are a variety of interests from the individuals that attend CRAS, just as I remember it.”
Harris is a versatile freelance audio engineer based in and around New York City. Her love for music and sound bloomed from her father, who introduced her to all styles and genres of music throughout her childhood. Originally from North Carolina, she began her career taking an interest in production in her high school theater program. After high school and during college, Harris interned with WGIV Streetz 103.3 radio station, and worked with local production companies as a stagehand and mixing for live events.
CRAS AES is The Conservatory of Recording Arts & Sciences student section of the Audio Engineering Society. The mission of its student section is to continue their education outside of the classroom through various different educational functions such as guest speakers, webinars, tours, clinics, panels, seminars, and other audio-related events.
“One of the main purposes of our student section of AES is to provide a sense of community to CRAS students by giving them a platform where they can meet up outside of the classroom to share their individual thoughts by joining into discussions focused on different audio-related topics, and we want everyone to feel welcome,” explained David Kohr, CRAS AES Faculty Advisor. “The best way to create the feeling of community is to get others engaged and involved and make them feel like they are part of the meeting instead of just attending the meeting.”
CRAS student Jenna Velasquez said Harris shared tons of applicable information on how to connect and make oneself valuable in any part of the industry. “Hearing how she took everything she learned from CRAS and jumped into so many unknowns and is staying relevant even though live sound closed off was super inspirational.”
Added CRAS AES Chair Andrew Castillo, “Reya has so many different experiences as an audio engineer in the short time since she left CRAS, and it was an amazing time getting to hear some of her stories. She gave the CRAS AES section some fantastic advice that she has discovered throughout her career, and will undoubtedly continue to find success in her future endeavors.”
While in New York, Harris has worked for studios such as Jungle City Studios, OVEN Studios with Alicia Keys, major theaters such as The Public Theater, the producers of “Hamilton”, The Apollo Theater, Joe’s Pub Theater mixing for Sandra Bernhard and Judy Collins, networks such as VIACOM and Urban/Radio One, and traveling all over the country to engineer at events such as NAMM and The Ladybug Music Festival.
“I hope the students digested tips about working as an engineer that weren’t directly technical-related, but just as significant and potent,” Harris continued. “Tips that make your job as an engineer more efficient and help you advance your career and charisma, and help maneuver in this industry. There are multiple possibilities, and my belief is to approach every opportunity with an open-mind…most importantly, staying consistent to reach your ultimate goals and dreams. If it’s what you want to do, stick with it, and the rewards will come.”
CRAS Student Anton Lang said listening to Harris was motivating. “It was inspiring to connect with a CRAS grad that has been able to adapt and succeed despite COVID-19’s crippling ramifications on the live sound industry due to CRAS’ all-encompassing curriculum and preparation for the real world of professional audio.”
Harris concluded, “CRAS offers a well-rounded education in most fields of audio engineering and prepares you for the professional industry of audio and entertainment.”
The Conservatory of Recording Arts & Sciences is composed of two nearby campuses in Gilbert and Tempe, Ariz. A CRAS education includes broadcast audio, live sound, film and TV audio, music, and video game audio, all taught by award-winning instructors who have all excelled in their individual fields, including sound reinforcement, audio recording and production, digital recording, troubleshooting/maintenance, and music business.
CRAS structured programs and highly qualified teaching staff provide a professional and supportive atmosphere, which is complemented by its small class sizes allowing for individual instruction and assistance for students in engineering audio recordings. CRAS has been providing quality vocational training in audio recording for more than three decades. The curriculum and equipment are constantly being updated to keep pace with the rapid advancements in the music and sound recording industries. CRAS’ course offerings and subject matter have always centered around the skills and knowledge necessary for students’ success in the audio recording industries.
The 11-month program is designed to allow every student access to learn and train in all of the Conservatory’s studios which are comprised with state-of-the-art audio recording and mixing gear, the same equipment used in today’s finest studios and remote broadcast facilities, including Pro Tools 12, API Legacy consoles, SSL AWS consoles, Studer Vista consoles, and much more. All students must complete a 280-hour industry internship to graduate from the Master Recording Program II that may ultimately lead to industry employment.
For more information on the Conservatory of Recording Arts & Sciences, please visit www.cras.edu, contact Kirt Hamm, administrator, at 1-800-562-6383, or email to [email protected].
About The Conservatory of Recording Arts & Sciences
Based in the heart of The Valley of the Sun with two campuses in Gilbert and Tempe, Ariz., The Conservatory of Recording Arts & Sciences (CRAS) is one of the country’s premier institutions for audio education. The Conservatory has developed a unique and highly effective way to help the future audio professional launch their careers in the recording industry and other related professional audio categories.