Photo above: AES Dr. Christian Heil Future of Sound Scholarship recipient Jessica Luo pictured at University of Rochester’s Gavett Audio Studio
In 2019, L-Acoustics established the Audio Engineering Society Dr. Christian Heil Future of Sound Scholarship, an annual stipend awarded to an AES member pursuing a graduate degree in audio engineering. The scholarship, honoring Christian Heil’s industry-shaping innovations, seeks students with creative approaches that challenge conventions or draw from scientific knowledge beyond traditional audio realms. This year, coinciding with L-Acoustics’ 40th anniversary, the company announces that for the first time in the scholarship’s history, a recipient has won for a second consecutive year. New York University student Jessica Luo has once again been named the recipient of the award, showcasing her continued excellence and innovative thinking in the field of audio engineering.
“The first time I heard about this scholarship was from my undergraduate PI professor prior to getting into grad school,” Luo recalls. “I applied because financial aid was essential to my graduate studies, and to pursue my chosen research field. I was thrilled to receive the Dr. Christian Heil Future of Sound scholarship last year, but even more surprised and overjoyed when AES Educational Foundation President Jim Anderson informed me that I’d received a renewal grant for my second year.”
Jessica Luo is pursuing a Master of Music in Music Technology degree at NYU, after earning a Bachelor of Science in Audio and Music Engineering from University of Rochester in 2023. Luo is engaged in diverse research projects. Her work spans exploring steerable height microphone arrays for immersive recording for modifiable acoustics, binaural externalization, bioacoustics analysis for sound source localization, and audio-on-audio interference in personal sound zones. Luo’s Master thesis is titled “Investigating Bioacoustics Features to Improve Sound Source Localization in the Reproduced Immersive Environment.”
Luo has also distinguished herself as a published researcher and presenter. “I’m proud of my research publications this year,” she notes. Her collaboration with Princeton’s 3D3A Lab resulted in a paper on spatial sampling of personal sound zones, published in The Journal of the Audio Engineering Society. Luo also presented two papers at this year’s AES New York Convention. “Working in a relatively new field, the future possibilities are exciting. I’m thrilled to be developing new technologies for experiences that may seem unimaginable now,” she adds.
Jessica Luo’s multifaceted background exemplifies the innovative spirit the AES Dr. Christian Heil Award seeks to foster. Her experience spans immersive audio research, music production, and even podcast editing, bringing a fresh perspective to audio engineering. This diverse skill set, combined with her NSF-funded research and collaborations with prestigious institutions like Princeton’s 3D3A Lab, positions her at the forefront of advancing audio technology.
Etienne Corteel, Director of Education & Scientific Outreach, Global at L-Acoustics, emphasizes the significance of Luo’s achievements: “The AES Dr. Christian Heil Award was established to recognize students who demonstrate curiosity and dedication to shaping the future of sound. Jessica embodies these qualities perfectly. Her interdisciplinary approach, blending rigorous academic research with practical industry experience, is exactly what our field needs to propel innovation forward.”
Corteel adds, “As a remarkably talented young researcher pushing the boundaries of audio experiences, Jessica is already making significant contributions. We’re proud to support her continued efforts in advancing our industry. Her work in bioacoustics and sound source localization has the potential to be a very significant advancement in immersive audio, showcasing the importance of fostering diverse talents in our field.”
Prior recipients of this award have included:
· 2019: Ben Creelman, M.Mus. Sound Recording from Montreal’s McGill University
· 2020: Dora Filipovic, attending University of Surrey, Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences, Surrey, England
· 2021: Michael Edwin, attending New York University, Steinhardt School of Culture, Education, and Human Development, New York City
· 2022: Lara Ann Villanueva, attending Baltimore’s Peabody Institute
For more information about AES scholarships, visit http://www.aes.org/education/foundation
