The Sound Production Club, founded by senior James (Elijah) Leaño and sponsored by Robert Keating, made its debut on campus this school year. The club was created to give students interested in learning how music and audio are made a space to explore – whether they’re knowledgeable about sound or complete beginners.
“I really like sound production. It’s what I want to major in, and there wasn’t really space for that in the school,” Leaño said. “I want to bring it to other kids who might be interested, or maybe they’re not interested yet, and I could help them develop that interest.”
To build enthusiasm in the field, meetings will focus on teaching the basics of recording, editing, and mixing, while gradually introducing members to more advanced aspects of sound production throughout the year.
In addition to hands-on sessions, the club will give members creative freedom to produce music at their own pace using various softwares and techniques while collaborating with each other to share new ideas and skills. Students are encouraged to bring their own devices so everyone can learn independently while still being part of a larger, collaborative environment.
“We’ll be using different production software to create beats and songs unique to each student,” club vice president Enzo Paesano said. “Elijah [the club’s founder and president] and I frequently talk about music, breaking down the elements of songs and their specific sounds [to obtain a solid knowledge base for leading the club]. In doing so, we’ll be targeting what’s most important to ensure members have a solid foundation in sound production.”
The club’s energy has already inspired students to explore sound production in new ways.
“I wanted to join the Sound Production Club because I’ve seen how passionate Elijah is when making songs. I wanted to see what happens behind the scenes and learn from it,” member Juan Beltran said.
A major goal for the club’s first year is for members to complete a fully produced song by the end of the school year. Leaño said he wants every member to finish with a piece that reflects what they’ve learned.
“I want [them] to end the year with a fully produced song,” Leaño said. “I want them to leave with something they’re proud of and can say, ‘I did this.’”
For Keating, excitement about the club stems from seeing students discover new creative outlets. He said he agreed to sponsor the club after witnessing Leaño’s dedication to helping others.
“Elijah [Leaño] came to me asking if I would be the sponsor for the club, and I had to accept because of his desire to help teach others what he knows about sound production,” Keating said.
Keating added that watching students experience creative breakthroughs makes supporting the club even more rewarding.
“I love the look of discovery and enlightenment [on members’ faces],” he said. “The delight in their eyes is what motivates me. I believe this is what drives most educators here [at Gulliver].”
As the Sound Production Club begins its first year, Leaño hopes it will spark a lasting passion for music and sound across campus—especially among new members.
“I really want a person who isn’t at all interested in sound production right this second to take a step back at the end of this year and say, ‘Hey, I care about this,’” Leaño said. “That’s my biggest goal—to help someone else find that passion.”
