Studio kicks off with open house

By Jennifer Brennan

Staff writer

Local and aspiring musicians dropped by Fort Belvoir Sosa Community Center Saturday for an open house to introduce a new recording studio.

Musicians of all genres gathered around Mike Trella, an audio video technician at the Visual Information Support Center who spends time playing tunes with his band, Politicks. In addition, Trella is a certified Pro Tools instructor and will teach production classes to those interested in learning how to master the equipment in the studio. Pro Tools is a multi-track digital video recording system.

“I’m gonna’ teach it like no one knows anything about recording techniques,” Trella said to about 10 people gathered in the control room at the open house.

After taking the classes that are geared toward studio production methods, Trella hopes the students will walk away with their own project to present to clubs and producers.

Projects may include CDs.

Trella said the purpose of the studio is also to create a network for people that are interested in broadening their artistic horizons.

“That’s what I hope to accomplish with this class, with this studio,” Trella said.

At the open house, Trella’s fellow band members played tunes in the soundproof drum room, demonstrating the room’s features. The drum room is equipped with a drum kit, acoustic, electric, base guitars and piano.

A glass window divides the drum room and control room.

Once community members take the production class, the studio will be available to them to refine music and produce projects, according to Trella.

After the open house, Dave Caouette, had no doubts about coming back to record music.

“Where do I sign up?” Caouette inquired.

Caouette, 49, plays the acoustic guitar and enjoys playing fiddle music. After 31 years of playing the guitar, Caouette looks forward to the opportunities that lie at the recording studio.

“To come out with a finished project,” is Caouette’s ultimate goal, he said. “Just something I can give to friends.”

The production classes begin Nov. 1 and anyone who lives and/or works on Fort Belvoir is eligible to take the class. The classes are held for two weeks and cost $100 per person, per group. Fees to use the studio vary by age. To sign up for the production class, please contact Sosa at (703) 805-3714.