Ella Telford ’21, an audio engineering technology major, landed a full-time job at TELEFUNKEN Elektroakustik shortly after graduation as a production technician. She interned with the company during her last semester which helped her land the opportunity. “After I toured their warehouse with our Audio Engineering Society UHart chapter twice, I knew that TELEFUNKEN would be the ideal place for me to learn about manufacturing for high quality audio products,” she says. “I feel incredibly lucky for the experience as I’ve learned so much in the past few months and everyone there has been so welcoming and patient with me as my engineering skills improve.”
Telford has always really loved music, math, technology, anything involving patterns, and hands-on work. “Audio engineering technology really encompasses all of my passions in a way that I didn’t know was possible until I learned about the unique program at the University of Hartford.”
Telford first heard about UHart when a saxophone quartet visited her high school to perform and speak about The Hartt School programs. “After researching the school, I was really impressed by the small class sizes, diversity, and music community,” says Telford. “I originally planned to apply as a music education major, but I decided that audio engineering technology was a better choice for me because it would give me the opportunity to learn about the multifaceted processes involved in creating sound.”
Ella Telford ’21, audio engineering technologyI was so impressed by the range of topics that the audio engineering technology program at UHart covers. Rather than focusing solely on recording and music production, or engineering for electronics, the program expertly covers the two topics and so much more in four years of study. I am still very passionate about performing, and I've applied that knowledge and love for music to every topic I've learned in the program.
Telford says the faculty make the program. She thanks Assistant Professor and Program Director Dave Shuman, Assistant Professor Tim Britt, and Applied Assistant Professor Michael deAlmeida for being there every step of the way in her journey here at UHart! “I feel so lucky to have spent the last four years studying with such smart, kind, multi-talented, down-to-earth professors.”
Telford has been involved on campus since her first year. She first joined the Pep Band, where she had the opportunity to play flute at athletic events. She also sang with the HartAttack A Capella group at numerous on- and off-campus showcases. “Being a member of these groups was very exciting and fulfilled my desire to musically perform in an ensemble of fellow students.” During the same time period, Telford served as the secretary for RedTail Records, UHart’s on-campus record label, where she surrounded herself with other creative and talented musicians on campus.
Through her junior year, she participated in various work study assignments that furthered her understanding of the audio engineering and technology industries. She began working for WWUH Radio during her first year, cataloging and organizing music for the public alternative radio station located at UHart. “This was a very valuable introduction to broadcast audio,” she says. Additionally, she spent two years as a lab monitor for the CETA computer labs and makerspace, gaining tactile experience with technology and engineering tools.
This work experience has led to exciting opportunities for Telford to truly have fun on campus. She has been involved with the student-run radio station WSAM Alternative Radio since her first year, hosting a radio show every semester. “Becoming an eboard member for WSAM Alternative Radio and ambassador for the CETA Leadership Society are two of my most rewarding accomplishments,” she says. “Each year, I have taken on more responsibilities for both organizations.”
Telford began as the operations manager of WSAM and a sophomore CETA ambassador representing the audio engineering technology program for prospective students. She then became the chief engineer of WSAM and lead team “shadow” for the CETA Leadership Society during her junior year. Now in her senior year, she is serving as the general manager of WSAM and co-leader of the CETA Leadership Society. “In my experiences with WSAM, I have been given countless opportunities to learn and practice audio engineering for concerts, festivals, virtual events, radio streaming, recording and mixing, and more,” she says. “Through the CETA Leadership Society, I have had the chance to build my confidence and public speaking skills, while learning more about the CETA community as one of its representatives. Perhaps most importantly, being a leader of these groups has inspired me to light the fire of curiosity and passion in other students.”
When asked what advice she would pass on to incoming students, Telford suggests the best way to solidify what you learn in class is to apply it to real life situations. “There are so many clubs and organizations on campus that will give you opportunities to sharpen your skills in recording, mixing, live sound, broadcasting, networking, and so much more,” she says. “Specifically, to any incoming female engineering students, though it may feel daunting at times to be outnumbered by male students, you can rely on the support systems around you (Women’s Advancement Initiative, Society of Women Engineers, for example). Do not let gender roles and stereotypes get in the way of your success.”