WESTLAKE VILLAGE, California – September 2020 – Continuing to deepen its commitment to education, L-Acoustics recently announced a partnership with SoundGirls, kicking off an annual training grant program to support the organization’s mission to empower women in audio. Following a thorough panel review of numerous applications submitted by SoundGirls members, L-Acoustics is pleased to officially congratulate the three recipients of its 2020 SoundGirls Training Grants: Carolina Antón was awarded the L-ISA Grant, Kim Watson the Advanced Grant, and Eluned “El” Ashwood the Starter Grant.
“We were overwhelmed by the interest and response that we received from the SoundGirls community regarding these training grants,” says Etienne Corteel, L-Acoustics Director of Education and Scientific Outreach, making the announcement. “In addition to supplying their CVs, each candidate submitted two essays on why they were applying for these grants and how they would benefit from them. Although it was a challenge for the SoundGirls board to narrow down only three winners from such a well-qualified and deserving group, Carolina, Kim, and El all clearly demonstrated their drive and zeal for audio excellence and are, in our eyes, inspiring champions for diversity in this industry.”
Carolina Antón of Mexico City has been named as the L-ISA Grant recipient, and will participate in a three-day L-ISA training curriculum covering one of two available tracks: System, for systems engineers, or Mixing, for mix engineers. Serving as an FOH and/or monitor engineer on more than 20 tours for artists including Kool & The Gang, Gloria Gaynor, Natalia Lafourcade, MexFutura, Mon Laferte, and Leon Larregui, Antón has passion and experience creating immersive live mixes and system designs.
As a system tech, monitor engineer and FOH engineer for two decades, Newcastle Upon Tyne, UK-based Kim Watson is the recipient of the Advanced Grant and will complete the manufacturer’s Level 2 Variable Curvature Line Source (VCLS) and Loudspeaker System Calibration (LSC) modules. Having toured as a monitor engineer for The Subways and system fly tech for Blondie, Watson previously completed four modules from the Level 1 course to prepare her for Level 2 training as she progresses toward earning the K Systems Engineer (KSE) designation, following additional field work.
Recently completing the L-Acoustics Systems Fundamentals online session in July as part of her Starter Grant, Eluned Ashwood of Manchester, UK will soon finish up the Level 1 course and earn the official status of Systems Technician (ST) after attending her choice of two K Series modules (K1, K2, Kara, Kiva II). Ashwood’s resumé includes a broad range of festival tech gigs with SSE Audio Group and Wigwam Acoustics, numerous A2 roles at Manchester’s Royal Exchange Theatre, and stage/PA tech work for Lionel Richie’s UK tour.
“We are so excited to be working with L-Acoustics, recognized as one of the leaders in concert sound, to provide these grants to our members,” shares SoundGirls Co-Founder Karrie Keyes. “L-Acoustics is dedicated to innovation and design excellence and now a leader in helping to diversify the industry.”
“It’s been our privilege to partner with the SoundGirls community by creating this annual grant program and taking an active step in helping fulfill their mission of educating and empowering women in audio,” Corteel adds in closing. “We’re proud of what each of our three new L-Acoustics family members have already accomplished so far, and we look forward to celebrating their achievements as they continue to make names for themselves in this wonderfully evolving business.”
SoundGirls can be found online at www.soundgirls.org. For more details on L-Acoustics training, visit www.l-acoustics.com/en/training/program.
About L-Acoustics
Founded in 1984 near Paris, France, L-Acoustics is the market leader in professional sound reinforcement technologies. With over 550 team members worldwide and offices in Paris, London, Singapore, Los Angeles, and New York, L-Acoustics is present in over 80 countries via our network of Certified Providers. Focused on solutions that elevate the audience experience, more than 20% of L-Acoustics’ talent is devoted to R&D in the areas of acoustics, applications, mechanics, electronics, signal processing, and software development. In recognition of creating innovative professional sound technology, L-Acoustics was named as one of Fast Company’s Most Innovative Companies of 2020.
Founded in 1984 near Paris, France, L-Acoustics is the market leader in professional sound reinforcement technologies. With over 550 team members worldwide and offices in Paris, London, Singapore, Los Angeles, and New York, L-Acoustics is present in over 80 countries via our network of Certified Providers. Focused on solutions that elevate the audience experience, more than 20% of L-Acoustics’ talent is devoted to R&D in the areas of acoustics, applications, mechanics, electronics, signal processing, and software development. In recognition of creating innovative professional sound technology, L-Acoustics was named as one of Fast Company’s Most Innovative Companies of 2020.
Recognized for pioneering the line source array, L-Acoustics continues to shape the future of the professional audio industry with L-ISA Immersive Hyperreal Sound technology, a multidimensional, object-based approach to designing, mixing, and processing sound that results in extremely natural and intelligible audio, and a more vibrant, authentic connection between artists and their fans. Now also available for exceptional private sound spaces with L-Acoustics Creations designs.
L-Acoustics technologies can be heard in places like the Hollywood Bowl, Dickies Arena, Allianz Arena, home of Bayern Munich, or the Philharmonie de Paris, as well as the world’s top-grossing festivals, and on tour with world-class artists such as Mark Knopfler, Aerosmith, and P!NK.
