Hello, my name is Timothy DeYoung, and I am currently a 4th year student at Michigan Technological University in the Audio Production and Technology program.
I grew up in Traverse City, Michigan, where I quickly learned to love the arts. Ever since 6th grade I have played the trombone, and have been in multiple choirs during my childhood. This in combination with growing up in the shadow of the world renowned art high school, Interlochen Center for the Arts, I earned a deep appreciation for the arts and quickly became interested in the behind the scenes of the industry.
As I was doing more and more low level live sound gigs, including services for my church and small concerts, I was becoming more and more interested in being a sound engineer. I was very fortunate to have an opportunity to take a class on the subject at Traverse City West Senior High-school under the tutelage of Russ Larimer, where I quickly proved myself and continued to grow as a sound man. I was fortunate enough to be able to be employed by TCAPS, the local school district, and for the last half of my senior year I was able to be involved in many things including pep-rallies, guest speakers, musicals, and madrigal dinners. I was very fortunate to have such an amazing experience at my high-school, this has given me an opportunity to do many things before getting to college that most people in my industry don't get to do much of in college.
I started attending Michigan Technological University in the Fall of 2008, as an Electrical Engineering student, but quickly realized that life was taking me in a different direction, and that direction was the world of audio. Again I was extremely lucky to be in the right place at the right time, and the Audio Production and Technology was calling me. The Audio production and Technology major is a wonderful experience for me, it gives me the ability to delve into the artistic realm of sound, enabling me to be involved in projects such as sound designs for major productions, and individual sound design projects. The program also teaches me the more technical side of the industry, requiring me to take many classes in the science of electronics, including lectures on basic AC and DC circuitry, classes going over the function and application of operational amplifiers, and with all of these subjects comes the ability to apply what I've learned in many labs, giving me a hands on learning environment. Michigan Technological University, specifically the Visual and Performing Arts, and the Electrical Engineering and Technology departments have taught me many amazing things, far surpassing that of most other universities and trade schools in the industry.
While not in school during the summers, I still stay busy furthering my knowledge and experience in the audio field. For the past two summers I have been employed at the aforementioned Interlochen Center for the Arts as a recording engineer in the Interlochen Public Radio branch. I also have designed and implemented many loudspeaker systems, and am learning the protocol for proper testing and planning of these systems, learning the science behind loudspeakers, and learning the art of wood work.
If you have any questions, please feel free to email me at:
tsdeyou@mtu.edu
