Gregory J. Gordon

CEO/Executive Director

Gregory J. Gordon is the founder and CEO of Pyramind and the President of Epiphyte Records. He is an engineer, producer, educator and award winning sound designer driven to push the boundaries of digital technology. In his fifteen/plus years as a studio owner and producer he has worked with a wide variety of clients in video games, film and television including: Sony Computer Entertainment America, Electronic Arts, Cineville Films, Grey Advertising, and Maclaren Mccann to name a few.

Greg has engineered and produced numerous recordings for notable artists including: Dhamaal, Native, Goddess Gaia, Rocker T w/Joan Baez and Merl Saunders w/Jerry Garcia. His work with Goddess Gaia was included on the 2004 best selling double CD, Destination Lounge San Francisco.

Greg is a seventeen-year voting member of NARAS and is now in his fourth term as a governor for the SF chapter where he co-chairs the Producers & Engineers wing committee. Greg is the executive producer of “Test Press SF” whose 2007 release sprang from the successful Test Press events developed by the electronic and dance music committee of the SF Chapter of NARAS and sponsored by Ableton, INgrooves and Pyramind.

In 1996 Greg helped develop the digital audio program at SFSU’s multimedia studies program, and went on to build relations with Apple Computers, Digidesign Inc., and other industry leaders to create his vision of a digital audio based production and training center.

Matt Donner

Director Of Education and Financial Aid / Instructor

Matt Donner hails from NYC where he received his masters in music theory and technology at NYU. He has been a staff engineer at numerous facilities in New York including: Greene Street Recording, Sound On Sound Studios, The Tisch Art Film Academy, East Hill Recording and now Pyramind Sound. From 1997 to 1999, Matt was West Coast technical support director for Cutting Edge Audio Group specializing in Pro Tools system integration. In 2000 he came to Pyramind where he has been chief engineer and composer for numerous clients including Sony Computer Entertainment America. He was instrumental in the expansion and redesign of Pyramind’s recording facilities at 39 Gilbert St. as well as at the new facilities at 880 Folsom. Matt brings all his real world studio experience to the class and as a ProTools specialist he provides students with all of the knowledge of Digidesign’s certificate training program.

Matt has composed and produced for clients like Meridiem (Percy Howard, Bill Laswell, Vernon Reid, Buckethead), local rockers Tincture and Sony Playstation (OPM). With styles that range from Brazilian Bossanova to techno-metal and classic rock, Matt is a diverse and strong composer, producer and engineer with a very unique style and a wide range of musical understanding.

Paul Lipson

VP of Business Development / Senior Instructor

For over seventeen years, Paul has refined his skills in management, strategy, music, and education. His career has taken him all over the world, and his passion for audio, technology, and the performing arts has helped him advocate for advancement in the interactive entertainment industry.

Paul is extremely passionate about music and interactive audio, and he currently serves as the President of the Game Audio Network Guild - the leading worldwide organization of game audio professionals. He has worked closely with the Officers of G.A.N.G. to originate the industry-first Program Partnership Initiative, and was the mastermind behind the Guild Scholarship Award for Game Audio. Paul was awarded the G.A.N.G. “Distinguished Service Award” at the 2006 Game Developer’s Conference for his work in education and advocacy for the interactive audio arts.

Before joining the team at Pyramind, he served as the co-founder and CEO of Hit Point Music (HPM) - a development company specializing in music for games and screen .  His team produced for an array of elite clients, including projects for America Online, Hasbro Interactive, Harmonix/Sonic Implants, Associated Production Music, Hyundai Automotive, Killer Tracks, The Environmental Protection Agency, Urbane-Dog Creative, and Legends-Tribal War, just to name a few.
Paul also served as the Chief Academic Officer at Expression College for Digital Arts, and worked as the Director of The Learning through Music and Technology Initiative at the LCG (Boston). He has also spent time as an instructor at Berklee College of Music, has conducted master classes at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and at the Conservatory of Pernambuco in Brazil, and was a founding teacher and Director of Technology at the Conservatory Lab Charter School (Boston).

Paul holds a Bachelors Degree and Masters Degree highest distinction from the world-renowned New England Conservatory of Music in Boston. He is a member of the International Game Developers Association, The Music Educators National Conference, BMI, and the Game Audio Network Guild.

David Earl

Senior Instructor

You’ve heard him before, although you probably didn’t know it. David Earl’s music has served a supporting role in small and large screens, as well as corporate strategies and video games. Some would call him a schizophrenic, he prefers well-rounded.

David has created music for games developers such as Backbone Entertainment, Imaginengine, Activision, Leapfrog, and Sony. From Pokemon to Fairly Odd Parents, David enjoys the challenges of jumping from one musical style to the next. His attention to detail and ability to deliver assets on time and on budget, no matter the scope of the project, has served him and his clients well.

In the corporate world, David has contributed his compositions to industry giants such as Landor, Citi, Microsoft, AMD, Westfiled, and Beringer. His guidance through brand awareness via Landor has allowed him to contribute a unique creative perspective to brand voices in the form of carefully crafted musical scores.

When it comes to advertising, David has created music for ad campaigns such as Yahoo, Starbucks, Fisher Price, Home Depot, Herbal Essence, Aflac, Cingular, AT&T, and many others. Under the tutelage of Andy Newell of Ripesound, David learned the artful craft of delivering a vast array of musical styles under pressure and intense scrutiny. David is also a skilled engineer, producer and recording artist. His work has been featured on albums by Artemis, Marrow, Lenny Williams, Mickey Hart, and Kevin Kern. David also writes music for independent film, one of which received the ‘Golden Gate Award’ from the San Francisco International Film Festival.

It's always a pleasure to work with the very talented and creative David Earl at Pyramind. His familiarity with our industry (video games) and unique nature of our projects enables us to get exactly what we need when we need it without unnecessary trial and error. David has been able to meet or exceed our (and our client's) expectations on every project which is why he is our number one "go to" whenever our games require sound design and/or music. - Beth Santarpiro, Imaginengine

Steve Heithecker

Senior Instructor

Steve is an accomplished composer, producer and keyboardist who has composed and produced music for live theater as well as film and video productions. He was the co-founder of Digital Art & Music: a recording studio specializing in hip-hop/rap and alternative rock music.

Steve is also an accomplished graphic designer and technical consultant. When it comes to music and art this renaissance man does it all. Above all else his skills as a keyboardist, synthesist, & midi manipulator set him apart. Steve quickly became one of the most loved and sought after instructors at The California Recording Institute where he taught numerous classes before it was forced to close its doors.

Hideki Yamashita

Assistant Technical Director & IT

Hideki Yamashita Assistant Technical Director & IT Electronic Music wiz/hip-hop producer for The Whereabouts and YBS. Deks came to Pyramind for the education and atmosphere to satisfy the curiosity he found in making music with computers. Fortunately, the melding of his passion for technology and music has brought him to an industry which he thrives in. Hideki graduated from Pyramind student to Pyramind IT & Administrative Assistant. Deks is working hard to maintain the technical infrastructure at 880 Folsom St. and the rigorous scheduling and technical requirements of a multi-room studio and education complex

Steffen Franz

Instructor

President and Founder of Positive Sound Massive Recordings and Independent Distribution Collective and now Label Manager for Epiphyte Records. Stand Out Selector, aka Steffen Franz is well known as a dancehall innovator. As a DJ/Producer/Remixer and the owner of PSM Recordings, he has brought his conscious reggae vibes to people from New York to Hawaii (and San Francisco in between). Since forming PSM, Steffen worked as reggae buyer for Rough Trade Records in San Francisco, and as Reggae Editor for American Music Press. From 1994 to 1998, Steffen was the Production Manager of the Paradise Lounge /Transmission Theater in San Francisco. In the summer of 1998, he began tour managing Mix Master Mike, traveling the globe on Mike's solo tours as well as with the Beastie Boys. Steffen has also tour managed Linton “Kwesi” Johnson and Lee “Scratch” Perry across the USA.

In the Late 1990s, SOS DJ’d hundreds of shows throughout California, Nevada, Washington, New York and even Australia & New Zealand, where he played opening and break sets for the Beastie Boys "Hello Nasty" World tour. SOS has produced tracks for artists such as Nicodemus, Shinehead, Barrington Levy, Rocker-T, Jamalski, Wookie J., Karney, DJ Collage, and San Francisco’s New Dealers. In the past few years, SOS has been running Positive Sound Management which currently represents Rocker-T, Poetz4Peace, Haji Mike, Cas Lucas, Ian Collins, and Karney. SOS also plays bass in the rock band Not For Not, raps in Karney and is a member of "biL" a dancehall, surf, hip hop, band.

Other recent developments include launching Independent Distribution Collective in 2004, which grew from 9 labels to over 200 products in 3 years, and now includes digital distribution and film and DVD distribution. Recent studio works include production of over a dozen albums including: Nuffsed "Ignite the Fuse", Rastrillos "Se Acabo El Reve", Haji Mike "The Storyman", Jahson Ites "Forward Outta Babylon", and new releases from Bhi Bhiman and Lou Dog Trio.

Steffen now brings his experience and knowledge as an instructor for the music business classes at Pyramind and to launching and managing Epiphyte Records whose offices will now co-exist with the new home for Independent Distribution Collective at 880 Folsom St.

Bryan Dale

Admissions & Student Services Coordinator / Instructor

Originally from Philadelphia, Bryan Dale has been playing guitar since the age of 13 and was teaching private lessons by the age of 17. While obtaining his bachelor's degree in Advertising & Public Relations at Pennsylvania State University, Bryan played in local bands, organized open mics, and continued his independent study of acoustic and electric guitar and electric bass. Bryan got his first professional studio experience working outside of Pittsburgh in a local independent studio. Shortly thereafter, he sold his car to invest in his first home studio and subsequently recorded six solo records before enrolling in Pyramind's EMP program in 2005.

After graduating from Pyramind in October of the same year, Bryan worked briefly for Cutting Edge Audio Group in San Francisco before being hired by Pyramind as Admissions Liaison/Assistant to Matt Donner. Since then, Bryan has gone on to teach Music Theory 101 and ProTools 101 at Pyramind. Bryan continues to record local acts, write and record solo material, and pursue local contract work while continuing to build upon the education he received at Pyramind.

Michael Roache

Studio Manager / Assistant Facility Manager

After spending a number of years in New York and other cities working as an actor, Michael decided it was time for a change. He had always been peripherally involved in music and before leaving the theater, he spent his last few shows not only acting, but also doing music and sound design. Michael has arranged and produced for a few local groups and is continuing to build his resume in that field. Michael has logged countless hours in Pyraminds' main studio mixing both personal projects and school assignments. In addition, he is now engineering some of the sessions which come through the studio, which has become something of a second home. In fact, these days, Michael likes to think of Pro Tools as a sidekick of sorts. After completing an internship with Creative Services Director, David Earl, Michael was promptly given the opportunity to move to his current position as studio manager and assistant facility manager at Pyramind.

Anthony Michael Peterson

Instructor

Anthony Michael Peterson, a native of St. Louis MO, began playing guitar at the age of twelve. At thirteen, Anthony received a classical guitar scholarship to the St. Louis Conservatory of Music, where during the course of a four year study, he studied with classical guitar teachers Michael Cedric Smith and Rodney Stuckey. During this period Anthony had also taken master classes with renowned classical guitar master and author Aaron Shearer. At the age of fourteen, Michael Cedric Smith encouraged Anthony to begin teaching privately, and he has been doing it ever since!

After high school, Anthony moved to Boston, MA to attend the Berklee College of Music. The year after his graduation ('83), Anthony became one of the youngest faculty members of the college. He taught there for three years.

After freelancing and teaching in Boston for one year, Anthony moved to Brooklyn, New York. It was here that he began working with Peter Gabriel, Marcus Miller, Joan Baez, Cassandra Wilson, and saxophonist Oliver Lake. During this period, Anthony also recorded his solo debut cd, "The Book of Days" for Gazelle Records. Anthony also became a member of The Black Rock Coalition, which resulted in his long standing association with Living Color band leader and guitarist Vernon Reid.

While in New York, Anthony placed two songs for Columbia on singer/actress Lonnette McKeeís debut, "Natural Love", produced by director Spike Lee.

After touring with Cassandra Wilson, Anthony moved to The Bay Area and began playing various venues and festivals. He soon developed his own production company, "Lone Warrior Music", as a business and publishing resource for his compositions and musical education materials.

After receiving an offer from investors, Anthony created his own recording studio and produced his first solo project as singer-song writer Tru, "I'm Not Through Dreaming". He formed his own band and has been playing throughout the Bay Area.

In 2005 Anthony attended The Midem Music Conference in Cannes, France. At the conference, Anthony created distribution and publishing interest for the catalog of Lone Warrior Music. This catalogue includes songs for publishing, soundtrack music for video games and extreme sports shows, children's music, Christmas music, and a three-volume work on improvisation for guitarists.

Anthony is also passionately interested in developing musical learning techniques for students of all levels of ability. He has developed an intuitional band concept for children called "I Dare You to Make Music!" In this concept, students learn songs they choose by ear. Throughout the class, the children are encouraged to learn from and laugh at their mistakes. They learn how to rehearse, listen to one another, and apply simple music theory as solutions to any questions that may arise.

Lynda Arnold

Instructor

Lynda Arnold has worked as an educator, artist, producer and promoter since moving to the Bay Area in 1999. She received classical training in piano and flute from DePauw University and audio production and recording training from Ex’pression College for the Digital Arts in Emeryville. In the past decade, Lynda has recorded and produced several solo albums under her ‘Divasonic’moniker in addition to playing with other bands and composing for dance company Capacitor. In 2004 she established her own label and production company Digital Bliss Productions, which releases her music as well as promotes other women producers and performers in the field of Electronic (Digital Music) production through events and CD compilations. Lynda understands the need for well-rounded next generation audio producers and professionals and is excited to be sharing her knowledge and skills with the Pyramind students and staff. Websites: www.divasonic.com www.digitalblissproductions.com

Timo Preece

Instructor

Timo (Gravity Terminal) has been teaching, creating and producing both music and sound art in Los Angeles, California and in Tokyo, Japan. He obtained his ethnomusicology degree at UCLA and has done a number of studio recordings and live performances with noteworthy individuals including, Craig Harris (Disney, documentary music producer), Frank Serafini (film score and music video producer- TRON), Abhiman Kaushal (classical Indian tabla master), Kobla Ladzekpo (Ghanian master drummer), Francisco Aguabella (Latin jazz master), Gerald Wilson (Grammy award winning jazz musician and producer), Jun (D&B DJ), Echoplex, Medicine Drum, Dubstract, and others.

Over the past four years, Timo has been based in Tokyo, Japan working to create a new electronic based music - ranging from designing and creating music and sound design for web sites, DJ events throughout Tokyo, live electronic shows, radio, CD/DVD productions and audio mastering. In addition to DJing original music, Timo created a live electronic band which performed at events such as: 'Eyesaw' for their 13th annual Arts events which took place at Le Deco, (Shibuya), Garage (Shimokitazawa, live house), Milk (Ebisu) and Radio on Active (Gaienmae). As a producer, he has mastered tracks and CDs for artists such as South African DJ Shane Berry, Saloman and Eyesaw's interactive CD.

Back in California and now based in San Francisco, Timo plans to continue teaching and working with electronic based music, digital audio, sound design, post production, and synthesis. Currently, in addition to instructing at Pyramind, he is teaching DAW and Advanced Post Production labs at Expression College for Digital Arts.

www.gravityterminal.com

Brooke Wentz

Instructor

Brooke Wentz has music supervised numerous independent and documentary films, television shows, and film soundtracks since 1989. She headed up the music department for ESPN networks throughout the world and was Manager A&R Administration for Arista Records. She is critically acclaimed for her creative work as a producer of over twenty-five recordings of world music, including the Billboard award-winning "Global Meditation," "Africa: Never Stand Still," "Voices of Forgotten Worlds," and “Global Divas.” She was music producer for "Times Square 2000,” New York City's 24-hour millennium celebration and was an on-air radio host for ten years on NPR and related stations. Through her business, the Rights Workshop, Ms. Wentz represents issues relating to licensing, publishing, and digital rights, and gives frequent seminars on music and copyright issues. A native San Franciscan, Ms. Wentz is President of Other Minds, Inc., and sits on the board of the Stern Grove Festival and NARAS’s Governor’s Board.

Winter

Instructor

"Winter, who hails from Germany, has been involved with music & sound for over 25 years. His career as an audio engineer has encompassed all aspects of location sound work and post-production, as well as music recording and production in a variety of genres, plus teaching recording for San Francisco State, the California Recording Institute, & the Blue Bear School of Music. He is also a former student of Pyramind.

As El Mundo Bueno Studio's Senior Sound Mixer he works on production & post-production projects for feature length narrative films, documentaries, broadcast TV, music videos, and commercials. His specialties are dialog editing, ADR, foley, sound design, scoring, & re-recording in 5.1. Recent projects include sound design & foley for 3 indie features, re-mixing a commercial tutorial, various 5.1 mixes, complete actor replacement with ADR on a dramatic feature, a full-length score, preparing playback audio for slow motion shots on multiple music videos, & lots & lots of dialog editing.

As a music engineer/producer, Winter has recorded, mixed, mastered & produced scores of releases in various genres, with a specialization in ethnic & World/Fusion styles & Rock/Pop. His latest feat is producing 60 songs for a kids' TV show in a mere 2 weeks.

Winter is also a guitarist/songwriter with over 25 years experience, & is the co-founder of Trance Jam Records, for which he has recorded 5 albums so far & is working on number six. "