Introduction to the Music Recording Project
The purpose of the Music Recording Project was to give Freestyle students the opportunity to collaborate with local musicians by recording and producing their music. Seniors in Digital Media invited musicians into the studio, then mixed and mastered the recordings in Pro Tools and showcased the finished project on their websites.
I had the opportunity to work with Shakti-Ann on this project, and the musician we worked with was Jason Bryne, a senior at LAHS. Jason sang the song “Ceilings” by Lizzy Alpine and practiced singing with varying emotions. We recorded six tracks in the studio. After he recorded his tracks, Shakti-Ann and I used ProTools to add the reverb effect and removed elements like unusual breaths or coughs.
Musician Bio
Jason Bryne is a talented tenor who is a Senior at Los Altos High School. He is a hurdler in track, a scientist in ASI, an actor in LAHS’ Broken Box, and is a singer Volare, LAHS’ most advanced choir. In his free time, he enjoys rollerblading and playing the piano.
Recording Session Photo Gallery
(click each photo to enlarge)
▶ Ceilings
⏸ Ceilings
Collaborative Artist Statement
For this project, we worked collaboratively to explore the process of recording and shaping a vocal performance from start to finish. We partnered with a choir member from our community, Jason Bryne, a senior at Los Altos High School and a tenor in the advanced choir Volare. Jason is also involved in track as a hurdler, ASI as a scientist, and theater through Broken Box, which brought a unique sense of discipline and personality into the studio.
Before we recorded, we were given a detailed lesson on how to use the studio, including how to start and stop the tracks, how to teach Jason to use the microphones, and how to communicate on the intercom. Then it was time to teach Jason microphone and headphone techniques, and get him comfortable before recording.
We recorded six vocal tracks in the Freestyle music recording studio, focusing on the song “Ceilings” by Lizzy Alpine. During the recording session, Jason experimented with singing the song using different emotional approaches, which allowed us to hear how tone, breath, and intention can change the meaning of the same lyrics. Working together, we gave feedback in real time and adjusted takes based on what felt most honest and expressive.
After recording, we edited the tracks in Pro Tools. We made intentional choices to remove distractions such as coughs, awkward breaths, and or distracting background noise so the listener could focus fully on the emotion of the performance. We also added subtle reverb to create depth while keeping Jason’s voice natural and present. Throughout the editing process, we discussed each decision together, listening to the tracks multiple times in sections, and balancing technical precision with emotional impact.
This collaboration taught us that recording music is as much about listening and communication as it is about software and equipment. By working together with each other and with Jason, we learned how thoughtful editing can support a performer’s voice, but too much of it can take away from authenticity. Therefore, it is essential to experiment and listen carefully.
Personal Reflection
This music recording project helped me develop stronger music production skills through hands on work in the Freestyle Recording Studio. I also gained a deeper understanding of Pro Tools and how it is used to edit and mix audio. Most importantly, the project improved my collaboration skills as I worked closely with Shakti-Ann and Jason to produce the finished product.