The Theatrical Sound Designers and Composers Association Announce the Student Sound Designer Connection

In response to Covid-19, The Theatrical Sound Designers and Composers Association (TSDCA) (www.tsdca.org) has launched the Student Sound Designer Connection, a new Facebook group specifically for college students studying sound design to connect with one another, as well as receive mentorship from professional sound designers.

For the remainder of the school year (until May 31, 2020), TSDCA will be supporting this page to build community among these students that were suddenly forced into online learning.

The Student Sound Designer Connection group page can be found at http://www.facebook.com/groups/TSDCA.Student.Sound.Designer.Connection/. TSDCA membership is not required to access this page.

"We hope this can help teachers by consolidating efforts and providing additional resources for their students," says Jane Shaw, one of the group administrators. "Any student can apply for membership -- there is a short set of questions about your school, teacher, and year -- but those interested in sound at schools with no sound degree are encouraged to join!"

TSDCA is bringing professional sound designers and composers to interface with the students on the page with seminars and classes, as well as interviews, to give insight on how to manage a professional career. Live sessions on the page have included Q&As with Tony winner Jessica Paz, Alex Hawthorn, and Amy Altadonna, with additional presenters still to come in the next few weeks.

These classes are free to the students, and the presenters are compensated for their time. This allows the students to connect with mentors that are outside of their normal educational sphere, as well as create a stronger national connection among our aspiring and emerging industry colleagues. TSDCA remains committed to creating opportunities for more equitable participation for all sound designers and composers to grow and network.

In addition to weekly Live sessions, TSDCA Education Committee member Jim vanBergen has spearheaded an initiative to provide online portfolio reviews for students with other professional sound designers. In addition to Shaw, admins for the group are Altadonna and Matt Tibbs.

TSDCA is a professional membership organization of sound designers and composers for the performing arts working in the United States. Corporate members and sponsors include: Meyer Sound, d&b audiotechnik, Shure Inc., DPA Microphones, Figure53, L'Acoustics, Lectrosonics, Lighting & Sound America Magazine, Masque Sound, On the Road Marketing, Point Source Audio, Five OHM, and TiMax. Please visit the link below for more information on TSDCA and its initiatives.