Sound Academy

From Temple University dorms to the pop scene

Joseph had always been interested in music, but never really pursued it until he had friends who attended Temple University and often hung out there making music with them. Joseph continued making pop-style music as a hobby with his friends, and his ambition grew over time. His friends and family began encouraging Joseph to focus more on music and take it seriously. That's when Joseph stumbled upon Sound Academy and decided to check it out.

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Challenges Before Sound Academy:

Joseph faced the usual difficulties with music creation, as most self-taught artists do. He noticed frequency issues in mixes and wondered how to master a track while preserving dynamics. These are common problems that a hands-on training approach would solve. Joseph used to rely on Ableton for his music until he had the opportunity to learn Pro Tools. He was looking for a way to take his music to the next level when he saw an advertisement for Sound Academy. From there, he was able to elevate his sound to new heights under the guidance of his instructor, Max Fusser, at Rittenhouse Soundworks in Philadelphia.

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The Sound Academy Experience

Joseph expressed his satisfaction with Sound Academy and the advanced studio equipment he learned to use. “You’re dealing with equipment you wouldn’t find in a regular studio; that’s the educational value you get with Sound Academy.” Meeting students who shared his motivation and love for music was also special, as he was able to connect with the students in the class. Joseph made friends with several classmates and remains in contact. The course inspired him to immediately apply everything he learned to his music. “It’s really cool how much information they throw at you, and it makes you want to go home and try it out. Everyone in the class, after learning something new, said the same thing.” The instructors kept the course interesting and engaging to meet the students’ needs.

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The Results

Joe released a single titled "Pop Star" on his birthday, January 15, 2025. Joe had the opportunity to work on his EP, "Life," across all platforms. With the help of Rittenhouse Soundworks and Sound Academy, Joseph was able to release an EP of much higher quality than he was used to. During the course, Joseph had ample time to work on his personal projects with guidance from his instructor. This was a significant step forward for Joseph, as he not only forged valuable connections at Rittenhouse Soundworks but also gained the practical skills necessary to further his musical journey.

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Reflections and Advice

Joseph's only advice to those receiving the phone call is, "Just give it a try." Joseph remembers the moment he received the call from one of our coordinators and was initially skeptical, but decided to give it a shot anyway. He says, "You never know what you don't know. When I was learning how microphones worked, at first I thought you just plugged it in and spoke into it. It turns out there's a lot more to it." Joseph believes this course really opens your eyes to the level of detail involved in audio engineering, and Sound Academy was able to help him grasp that knowledge. Joseph also advises students to come with an open mind and be ready to learn because there is so much to take in.

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What's next for Joseph?

Joseph has expressed his comfort level in requesting letters of recommendation from Rittenhouse staff for potential internships and will continue preparing for Pro Tools certification. Joseph will also continue working on his music and releasing new EPs. Check out Joepo on Instagram, Apple Music, Spotify, and YouTube below. For Joepo, his musical journey is just beginning, and we will support him every step of the way.

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Sign up for Sound Academy and let's see how we can help you on your musical journey!