RCC Students Experience Immersive Audio Technology Firsthand at AES Show 2025

Eight students from the Music Industry Club in Riverside City College’s Audio & Music Technology Program joined Professor Jennifer Amaya October 22–25, 2025 for a four-day immersion at the Audio Engineering Society (AES) Show in Long Beach. This year marked the first time in nearly a decade that AES returned to the West Coast, offering a rare opportunity for RCC students to engage directly with the future of audio technology.

This experience was made possible through funding from ASRCC, whose support allowed these eight Music Industry Club members to travel and participate. None of this would have been possible without ASRCC’s commitment to supporting student experiential learning.

The AES experience came to life thanks to a professional relationship Professor Amaya has had spanning decades. During an industry committee meeting, Professor Amaya spoke with longtime colleague Lee Whitmore, who at the time served as VP of Education for Focusrite Group. When Whitmore mentioned that Focusrite would be hosting an Immersive Audio Room at AES, Professor Amaya saw a potential and exciting opportunity for her and her students. Whitmore introduced her to John Merchant, Director of Focusrite Group Professional, and Hannah Bliss, Vice President of Marketing at Focusrite Group. And within weeks, Amaya and her students were invited to join the Focusrite and ADAM Audio team at AES, supporting immersive audio demonstrations and spaces, and engaging with industry leaders.

Students assisted with the setup of two 7.1.4 Dolby Atmos systems, including a flagship studio rig and a newly debuted accessible system designed to make immersive audio technology more attainable. From assembling speakers on stands and running cables, to managing audience flow and ensuring the room looked stunning, to organizing signage, coordinating transitions between sessions, and maintaining the space, the students quickly became an integral part of the team. Their professionalism, enthusiasm, and work ethic allowed the Focusrite and ADAM Audio staff to trust them fully — so much so that by the second day, RCC students were confidently operating the room on their own.

“When I bring students to conferences to work with industry partners, my goal is for us to be so effective and reliable that we give the professionals some breathing room — the chance to answer emails, hold important meetings, and maybe even grab a cup of coffee — without ever worrying about what's happening back at the booth or, in this case, the immersive rooms. We want them to have as positive and productive an experience as we do, just in a different way. And I truly believe we achieved that.”

Alongside hands-on technical work, students received deep mentorship from Focusrite’s team. John Merchant — a Grammy-nominated producer, engineer, and respected educator — provided personalized immersive audio lectures and demonstrations, including after-hours training that left a lasting impact. Across the four-day schedule, students observed world-class audio engineers, recording professionals, and educators explore cutting-edge immersive mixing and recording techniques. For many, it was the first time hearing professionally mixed audio through a Dolby Atmos system — a transformative moment that sparked clarity, motivation, and excitement for their future careers.

Immersive audio represents one of the most transformative technological shifts the audio and music technology field has experienced since the advent of MIDI. Sitting in the sweet spot of a professionally tuned Atmos system, hearing sound above, below, and around the listener, is a profound experience for anyone who loves music. The students returned to campus inspired, confident, and determined to pursue further study and hands-on work in immersive formats — a technology the program hopes to bring to RCC in the future.

The week was filled with other meaningful industry connections as well. Tony Joy — VP of Business Development & Creative Services at Sound Particles, and a well-respected industry colleague and friend of Professor Amaya — provided a private demonstration of Sound Particles’ groundbreaking spatial audio products that are used in major films including Dune, Star Wars, and Oppenheimer. Emmy-nominated re-recording mixer Stacie Hempel spent over an hour sharing advice and discussing immersive education pathways with Prof. Amaya and RCC Associate Faculty Melissa Field. PACE Anti-Piracy’s Bobby Lombardi, a longtime industry colleague of Amaya’s, surprised students by gifting them iLoks — a gesture that brought both delight and disbelief.

“Meeting the students from Riverside City College’s Audio and Music Technology program was an absolute joy,” Lombardi shared. “Their curiosity about audio software development reminded me why I love this field, and I encouraged them to dive in and experiment with building their own tools using the JUCE audio software framework.”

Across all of these moments, one theme resonated clearly: generosity. The Focusrite and ADAM Audio team offered time, trust, mentorship, and genuine care for student learning. For Professor Amaya, who has worked audio trade shows since she was 17, the experience was profoundly meaningful.

“To see my students welcomed, trusted, and inspired — and to watch them step up, work hard, and represent all of us with such professionalism — these are the moments I live for, the reason I do what I do,” she shared.

Students echoed this sentiment.

“It was an absolutely unforgettable and career-changing experience,” said student Angel Barral. “I never wanted to leave.”

“I learned so much and became closer to my peers,” added student Sahara Feliciano. “In a heartbeat I would do this again.”

As immersive audio continues to shape the future of music, film, and interactive media, experiences like this ensure RCC students are not only observing the future of sound — they are preparing to step directly into it. Because of industry partnerships, long-standing professional relationships, and the vision and advocacy of faculty, RCC students are gaining access to opportunities once reserved for elite institutions.

For Professor Amaya, it represents a full-circle moment.

“The same industry that offered me opportunities years ago is now opening its doors for my students,” she reflected. “I never would have imagined that relationships I built in the music industry 30 years ago would blossom into opportunities like this for my students today, and I am deeply grateful to everyone who continues to make this possible for us.”