As an instructor at The Conservatory of Recording Arts & Sciences I can’t begin to express how lucky I feel preparing, nurturing, and encouraging students to pursue their dream of an audio career… the same dream I live every day. I spend most of my life running my sound design company... but the hours I get to spend as an audio instructor are incredibly fulfilling.
I am thrilled to have the opportunity to impart knowledge that others have been kind enough to teach me over the span of my career.
There have been so many mentors, co-workers and teachers that unselfishly and patiently enabled me to hone my skills and constantly improve. I don’t know where I’d be without them.
I now have the chance as an instructor at CRAS to pay it forward. I am very thankful for the opportunity.
Learn more about The Conservatory of Recording Arts & Sciences at www.cras.edu
Upon graduation from The Conservatory of Recording Arts & Sciences, students are asked to complete an anonymous evaluation survey for each of their instructors. Here are just a few of the things they thought about their experience in Rick’s class:
“Rick is very knowledgeable about post production and made it easy to understand.
…including stories of his work to liven up the class. Hearing someone say they record explosions for a living is pretty amazing.”
“Rick was very understanding of the fact that some of us had never had any real experience with post production. I was able to catch on easily to the terms and concepts we discussed in his classes.”
“He had an amazing attitude and was always smiling. Great teacher as well.”
“Rick is one of my favorite instructors…his excitement about the subject he teaches. He always kept the class engaged and was very good at actually communicating everything that he’s trying to tell us.”
“I enjoyed the course. I respected Rick and his love for his profession.”
“I wish I had more courses with Rick.”
“The course was a lot of fun with Rick. He brought a lot of energy to the class and an easy and fun learning environment”
“Rick is intensely creative and brings a high level of energy and excitement to every class, working with him opened my eyes to many avenues of the audio industry that I would not have previously considered.”
“Rick is a very fun instructor to work with! He tells relevant stories that keep the class interested and it keeps everyone engaged and laughing.”
“I loved Foley and sound design!!! I loved learning about the little details critical to making a scene come to life. Sound effects, clothing sounds, taking a sound and completely modifying it into something completely different to fit within the mood and environment. Rick was also very enthusiastic about the subject. He gave us insight and a look into his workflow as well as the sound effects he’s collected. I truly enjoyed Rick as an instructor and the material he provided.”
SHARING AUDIO KNOWLEDGE
WITH PROFESSIONALS
I am humbled to been included on various panels over the years at major audio conventions and events. I have spoken on the crowded NAMM Show floor discussing the various ways I capture unique sounds for sound design, sat on the Sound Design panel at NAMM’s TEC Track Panels been part of panel discussions at AES Education Symposiums sharing thoughts on the future of audio education, sat on a panel in the early days of digital audio for a seminar at Dartmouth College sharing my experience as a beta-tester for New England Digital’s Synclavier audio system.
These kinds of events are the cornerstone in sharing ideas and keeping our industry on the cutting-edge.
I believe in my heart that audio education should be both informative and fun whether in a formal education environment or during peer to peer continuing education at talks and conventions.
SHARING AUDIO KNOWLEDGE
WITH THE WORLD
Still blown away that I was asked to join the Bob Moog Foundation’s Board of Advisors. To be included in this group is such an honor. I have to admit I am actually a bit of a fan-boy of everyone else on the board.
Bob Moog’s contributions to this world are impressive, I do not take my seat on the Board of Advisors of his foundation lightly.
The Bob Moog Foundation works hard to carry his pioneering legacy forward to future generations. The mission is to ignite creativity using a blend of music, science, history and innovation.
As an audio educator, I am especially passionate about the foundation’s Dr. Bob’s SoundSchool (DBSS). It is an innovative, experiential 10-week curriculum that teaches second-grade students the physics of sound. Please take a moment to learn about the Bob Moog Foundation and think about how you can support its vision.
“The Bob Moog Foundation Board of Advisors is now 40 strong and includes: Rick Allen, Craig Anderton, Athan Billias, Dawn Birr, Michael Boddicker, Joe Castronovo, Tommy Coster, Jr., Michelle Darling, Larry Dunn, Mark Ethier, Stephen Fornter, Peter Gorges, Dave Gross, Daniel Haver, Bonnie Hayes, Morris Hayes, Greg Hockman, Hiro Iida, Gigi Johnson, Sandra Jordan, Gary Kerzner, Tawnia Knox, Mike Martin, Dominic Milano, Ernst Nathort-Boos, Erik Norlander, Eric Persing, Steve Porcaro, Francis Preve, Heather Rafter, Gino Robair, Jeff Rona, David Rosenthal, Dave Rossum, Jordan Rudess, Marcus Ryle, Mary Simoni, CJ Vanston, Lee Whitmore, and Geary Yelton.”