OIART Students Recognized by Industry Professionals

It’s no secret that OIART is widely respected among audio industry professionals around the globe. One of the ways the industry shows its support for our program is by rewarding our outstanding students each year.

This year, Shure Microphones and their Canadian Distributor, SF Marketing, donated a prize of a Shure SM57 microphone to be awarded to the OIART student with the highest Recording Technology mark after first term exams. The winner was Dylan Jacobs with an average of 99%. Congratulations Dylan!

OIART grad Marian Greksa (2005) is currently making a name for herself at Hipposonic Studios in Vancouver, BC.

She is working with some of the biggest names in the industry including: Producer and Engineer Darren Grahn (Metallica, Nickelback), Engineer Dan Turner (Cradle of Filth), Producer Joey Jordison (Slipknot), and Engineer Roger Swan (K-OS, Swollen Members).

Marian has worked on albums for the Barenaked Ladies, 3 Inches of Blood, State of Shock, Eileen Roth and Ben Sigston. She spends a lot of time working with Engineer Jeff Dawson (Daniel Powter, Tal Bachman, Holly McNarland). She also works with plenty of new and upcoming bands. This is what Marian has to say about her experience:

Some of OIART's finest students have hailed from the East Coast of Canada, and we take great pleasure in supporting the East Coast music scene by sponsoring and presenting the ECMA Engineer of the Year award. There is usually an OIART grad nominated, and this year was no exception—Mike Shepard (OIART grad 1998) of Lakewind Studios. Mike recently won the Engineer of the Year award at Music Nova Scotia.

OIART’s Career Development and Industry Relations liaison Robert Breen presented this year’s award. Here is what Bob had to say about the 2007 ECMAs:

“My visit to the ECMAs this year was a special pleasure. I met numerous graduates on their home turf and discussed their lives and careers since OIART. They are so passionate and excited to talk about their jobs: Bryan Moreau (OIART grad 2005) described the challenges of designing the entire audiovisual infrastructure of a brand new Hilton Hotel—just two years after graduation! Mike Shepherd spoke about working with legendary producer, engineer, and inventor of the parametric EQ, George Massenburg, then setting up a studio in Nashville for Gordie Sampson—his main client and the only Canadian to win a Grammy this year. Engineer Michael Hayes (OIART grad 2005) described the inner workings of a CBC remote broadcast truck...I could go on and on. The weekend vividly demonstrated what a difference OIART makes in the quality of life of our graduates."