Audio & Music Technology Students Gain Real-World Experience at RCC Through ASRCC Events

The Audio & Music Technology (AMT) program at Riverside City College (RCC) is hitting all the right notes, thanks to a new collaboration between the Music Industry Club (MIC) and the Associated Students of Riverside City College (ASRCC). MIC students are now running sound at ASRCC events, thanks to their recent approval of a professional-grade PA system for the club—a milestone that’s set to enhance the hands-on experience for MIC students.

Professor Jennifer Amaya, Associate Professor of Music, director of the AMT program, and MIC advisor, shared her excitement about this new development:

“A huge thank you to ASRCC for believing in these students and investing in them. It is changing their lives, connecting them to students all over the campus, providing club students with more opportunities for real-life work experience, and improving the sound and overall experience of ASRCC events.”

The story began in the Spring of 2023 when MIC requested funding for a professional PA system, which was initially not granted. However, determined to give her students the best opportunities, Professor Amaya lent the club her small personal PA system, which quickly became a hit. After another funding request in the Spring of 2024, ASRCC approved purchasing a professional PA system for MIC.

Now, with their own PA system in hand, MIC has been entrusted with handling sound for a range of ASRCC events. This fall alone, they’ve already managed the sound for events such as the Low Rider Car Show, the Pep Rally, and the Homecoming Tailgate. These events provide a real-world experience for club students, allowing them to hone their skills in a professional setting while preparing them for careers in live sound and beyond.

Co-President of the Music Industry Club, Angel Barral, expressed the impact of this new PA system on their learning experience:

“I feel incredible knowing that with this PA system, we will be able to better our skills learned in our live sound course. It opens up so many opportunities for us to do high-quality audio for campus events. A few clubs have already asked us to do audio for them! It really is a blessing to have this system for our club to provide more for our members and give them a great experience in sound to take into the industry, knowing that they are prepared.”

Another student who has particularly benefited from this experience is Emily Jorgenson, an AMT major and MIC member who serves as an "A1" (Audio 1) for the club. She leads the sound setup and runs the soundboard at events. Emily shared her transformative role:

"Leading the sound setup as an A1 has taught me so much about the system itself, leadership, and what to expect in the audio industry. This experience has given me the hands-on practice I need to get ahead in a competitive industry. I’m incredibly grateful to Professors Sheldrake and Amaya for trusting students with this responsibility.”

Angel also highlighted the growth opportunities these events provide:

“Since we have been requested to run audio, we have made sound for events like the Low Rider Car Show and the Homecoming Pep Rally. These experiences can enhance our skills by giving us different spaces to work with, and each venue comes with its own requirements. It challenges our critical thinking skills and helps us understand how sound works.”

This partnership shows how RCC's student organizations create hands-on learning opportunities while enhancing campus life for all our students. The power of RCC’s Tiger community is undeniable, and this is just one of many examples.

If you are interested in joining the Music Industry Club or AMT program, contact Professor Amaya (Jennifer.Amaya@rcc.edu).