Blackbird Studios Reveals Plans for Academy

John McBride‘s Blackbird Studios recently unveiled plans to launch three educational curriculums they are calling The Blackbird Academy. The audio school, spearheaded by co-directors Mark Rubel and Kevin Becka, has plans to welcome its first class on September 30, 2013 with a High School program this summer.

Blackbird Studios has long been recognized as one of Nashville’s premier recording and studio rental facilities, which have been incorporated into the curriculum.

Blackbird’s Studio Engineering Program plans to launch September 30, 2013; January 6, 2014; and April 7, 2014, with a curriculum spanning 24 weeks. The classes are expected to extend 720-hours, meeting Monday through Friday with possible weekend workshops. Facilities consist of three recording studios and a large main laboratory/studio dedicated full time to education. The Learning Laboratory seats 30 students and also doubles as an audio production space.

On Jan. 6, 2014, the Academy plans to launch its Live Sound Engineering Program designed in partnership with Clair Global, the curriculum will focus on sound reinforcement for small, medium, houses of worship, and touring. Future classes are already on the books for April 7, 2014 and July 7, 2014.

A three-day summer camp has been planned for high school students from July 22-24, 2013. The camp will take participants through the full gamut of music production, starting with introduction to the Academy facilities and gear, then through tracking, overdubs and mixing. Class size is limited to 12 participants.

Video segments from Grammy winning engineer/producer Jacquire King, Don Was, Joe Chiccarelli, Vance Powell, Dave Stewart, Martina McBride and Keith Urban have already been posted to the site’s social media.

Visit the Blackbird Academy’s website for additional information.