Reasons for choosing PAVI

Music has always been a passion for me, especially writing and recording. I have been doing it for a long time, since I was about 8 years old on cassette tape recorders. Prior to school I had just purchased a laptop and Logic, and wanted to learn how I could really polish my recordings and bring things to a more professional level. I talked to a few people and did some research online and brought my choices down to two schools, PAVI, and Art Institute. I went and checked out both, and felt right at home when I toured PAVI. The staff was friendly, fun, and the API console and live room in Studio A was perfect.

My first experience

I was nervous to get back into school after a few years working in construction. I also had no experience with Pro Tools, but having 2nd and 3rd semester students mixed in with me helped guide me along its basic function. I also found the teachers and classmates to be relaxed and friendly, it was really easy to make friends, and I now have a few great friends for life.

Courses

There were a lot of excellent courses at PAVI. It helped me figure out more so exactly what I wanted to do by giving me a taste of everything. I also really liked the way the recording classes were set up, and split into smaller groups, making it a more hands on type of instruction. The teachers weren't dividing their attention; they could focus on a few of us at a time which was great. The mixing course was probably the most enjoyable to me.

Instructors

The instructors simply blew me away. They are all excellent at what they do, and I was inspired by them to learn more and ask thousands of questions. I couldn't have asked for better teachers during my time at PAVI.

Studio sessions

I enjoyed the studio sessions the most out of everything at the school. Doing things on my own really locked in the knowledge. It was a fun and enlightening experience. I brought in a few bands during my 
time, and worked hard late into the night. It was great to have the PAVI assistants at the studio in case there was a problem, or something I couldn't figure out, because something always comes up! They were very knowledgeable, and helped out a great deal.

After School

Internship

After graduating from PAVI, I started a building a new studio with Tom Dobzranski of Vertical Studios, and we are still working on it. I have been learning the ins and outs of acoustical engineering, and I plan 
on building my own studio in the near future, so it’s an excellent segue. Tom has taught me a lot, and I am excited to keep working with him.

Composition

I have recently composed jazz music for a Kwantlen promotional video, and I am also working with a game review website to compose more music. Having something like this under my belt will help me along with my aspirations as a composer for film, television, and video games.  Thanks to PAVI and its instructors I have been able to raise my composition production to a higher level.

Production

I am producing a band called Black House Blue Sky, and another band called Pariah. This has always been my dream, and PAVI really helped out by showing me how to handle bands and the recording process.

Advice

If I were to give any advice to future graduates, it would be to really figure out exactly what you want to do in the industry, and stick with it. Having a variety of courses at PAVI really helps out with that. It takes a long time to achieve a professional standard in the audio industry, so work really hard, and don't give up if you don't have a whole bunch of work right away. You will most likely have to work part time jobs while you work your way up.  It’s also important to be personable, and positive, a huge part of finding work is meeting people and becoming friends with them.

Thanks PAVI and staff, I had a great time and learnt some valuable lessons that are helping me in the audio industry today. Cody DeBoer