Christopher “Chrei” Torres wanted a career in music. While in high school, he sang in his school choir, played guitar and even dabbled in songwriting. But when the pandemic hit, he spent his senior year online.
“I graduated in 2021, but hadn’t had any opportunities to visit colleges,” said Torres.
Torres was accepted into music production programs in Southern California, but because the pandemic was still active, moving felt risky. That’s when his mom showed him information about DVC’s music industry and music production programs.
“I chose DVC because the music offerings were similar to the Los Angeles programs, but I could stay close to home. And DVC was also tuition-free, thanks to the college’s multiple free tuition programs,” said Torres.
Torres graduated with associate in arts degrees in Commercial Music – Production and Technology, Music Industry Studies, and Music Industry Entrepreneurship. He transferred to Belmont University in Nashville to pursue a bachelor’s degree in audio engineering technology. Torres is grateful for the foundational skills in music production he learned at DVC, and for the industry connections and experience he gained along the way. Even while he is in Nashville, Torres continues to work in the Bay Area music scene.
“I’ve worked in audio engineering and production management roles with GFI Entertainment, the Pacific Mambo Orchestra, and the Fillmore Jazz Festival, the largest free jazz festival on the West Coast,” said Torres.
The Fillmore Jazz Festival was a big opportunity that came from Karen Earle Lile, the festival’s executive producer, who has her own connection to DVC.
Lile came to DVC in the early 2000’s to enroll in technical theater classes to support her growing career in commercial music. She was an independent record producer at Fantasy Studios from 1985 to 2018, and also began her own production company, Karen Lile Productions.
“My uncle, Tony Terran, was a member of the famed Wrecking Crew of LA session musicians. He mentored me, so I’ve always tried to include interns in my projects,” said Lile.
After Fantasy Studios closed, Lile was offered the opportunity to move her productions to Skywalker Sound. In 2023, she reached out to DVC to set up an intern program.
“Chrei Torres was recommended to me. He assisted with sessions, and then he volunteered as a live sound engineer for the Fillmore Jazz Festival in 2023. The following year, I invited him to be the production manager for three of the stages. Chrei was very diligent, prepared, and knowledgeable,” said Lile.
At Belmont University, Torres stays busy, helping to produce more than 80 events annually.
“One of the highlights was running sound for Chester Thompson, the former drummer for Genesis and Phil Collins,” said Torres.
His advice for DVC music students? “Networking is key. Most of the work you get is through word of mouth. Once you start your journey, immediately start networking. You might be sitting next to a future Grammy winner who could one day be your boss,” said Torres.
Music Industry Studies at DVC
“Music Industry Studies is our original program that has been around for decades. It was innovative and rare at the time of its conception. Since that time, degrees and certificates in audiovisual technology and commercial music have been created to serve specific areas in the industry,” said Dr. Nick Vasallo, the Co-Chair of Music and Program Lead for Music Industry Studies at DVC.
Students enrolled in these programs learn how to record, market and distribute their music. Potential career paths include roles in music production, composition, business, marketing, and sound engineering.
Degrees and Certificates
Associate in Arts Degrees
- Audio Visual Technology
- Commercial Music: Media Composition
- Commercial Music: Performance
- Commercial Music: Technology and Production
- Music Industry Entrepreneurship
- Music Industry Studies
Associate in Science Degrees
- Audio Visual Technology
Certificates of Achievement
- Audio Visual Technology
- Commercial Music: Media Composition
- Commercial Music: Performance
- Commercial Music: Technology and Production
- Music Industry Entrepreneurship
- Music Industry Studies
Music Industry Careers Begin at DVC
Vasallo is proud of the many success stories that have arisen from DVC’s music industry programs.
“We have had students write Billboard hits, produce movie and game music, win songwriting/composition awards, enter Ph.D programs, as well as become instructors themselves,” said Vasallo.
To ensure students are industry-ready, DVC collaborates with AVIXA for audio-visual technology certifications and offers Pro Tools certification through AVID for music industry students. “These certifications help our students gain employment in the music industry,” said Vasallo.
DVC Graduate Launches Career Where He Began
Ethan Chuck’s connection to DVC runs deep. “It feels crazy to say, but I’ve been going to DVC since high school. As a teen, I played trumpet and found an Intro to Jazz Improvisation night class that my mom drove me to,” he said.
After his high school graduation, Chuck continued at DVC and then transferred to UC Santa Cruz where he earned a bachelor’s degree in U.S. History. He entered the workforce but really wanted to make a career out of his passion for music, prompting his return to DVC. “I received my associate in arts in music industry studies and certification in Pro Tools from DVC. I also completed recording arts classes at Los Medanos College (LMC).”
With his new degree and certification in-hand, Chuck secured a teaching assistant position at LMC, running Pro Tools during the Intro to Recording Arts class. “This was my first, sweaty-palmed foray into audio engineering. It would not have happened were it not for DVC,” said Chuck.
Today, Chuck finds himself back at DVC, contributing to the Music Industry Studies department as an instructional aide. He oversees the Music Technology Center’s open lab hours on Fridays, helping students with projects and providing technical assistance. He also supports DVC Professor Sean Williams with his Wednesday night stacked classes: Audio and Visual Technology/Production, Live Sound, and Popular Music Ensembles classes.
“The best way to learn sound systems is through physical, repeated action, and the most consistent places to find such opportunities are churches and bars. But DVC MUSX Wednesday nights are another alternative. Professor Williams is incredible at combining his experience as a guitarist and educator to create a small community – a gig incubator, that can funnel into the scene,” said Chuck.
To learn more about music industry studies at DVC, visit: www.dvc.edu/mis
Technology and Talent: DVC’s Music Students in the Age of AI
The evolving landscape of music, shaped by artificial intelligence, is a reality students must navigate. Nick Vasallo understands this presents both challenges and opportunities.
“We encourage creativity and collaboration. There are some things that a computer cannot replicate, such as student to student interaction, collaborative creation, and presenting live music together, in person, creating art with our hands and voices. We cannot let AI take these from us,” said Vasallo.
Karen Earle Lile echoes this sentiment, framing technological disruption as a catalyst for innovation. She recalls that in the 1980’s, the rise of synthesized music sparked fear that orchestras would become obsolete.
“But what happened is keyboards became an orchestral sketch pad for composers. If you take top live talent and marry it to the top technology, then you are going to have great results,” said Lile.
Chrei Torres understands the anxieties surrounding AI in the music industry but also sees positive practical applications.
“I have utilized AI to help master my projects, and to prevent feedback during a live show. The best way to prevent AI from taking your job is to write and perform music with your heart. Technology is not able to replicate the emotional human connection in music,” said Torres.
Music Industry Bay Area Job Outlook
Sound Engineering Technician
San Francisco/East Bay Average Salary: $109,300
Audio/Video Technician
San Jose/Silicon Valley Median Salary: $61,900
Booking Agent/Artist Manager
San Francisco/East Bay Average Salary: $100,690
Music Producer
San Jose/Silicon Valley Median Salary: $133,830
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