Gavin visits composer/educator Brett Ensley in his South Carolina studio live room (designed remotely by Haverstick Designs). You’ll hear Brett explain how he moved from baseball to music, the mentorship that pulled him into film scoring, and why he built a hands-on music academy that now serves about 100 students. Brett walks through their teaching approach (bands, songwriting, recording, and mixing fundamentals), how community and accountability shape progress, and how they stage live events for students at local venues. He also breaks down a commissioned score he wrote for the silent film Go West, 81 minutes of continuous music, and how he’s introducing local orchestra students to studio recording.
Guest links:
Brett Ensley Studios: https://www.brettensleystudios.com/
Instagram: @brettensleystudios
Video By: More Than Media - https://www.morethan.media/
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The S.O.U.N.D. Project Podcast:
Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-sound-project/id1680525959
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6dkk1s642VFjZGsdYGyxBP
Google: https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9hbmNob3IuZm0vcy9kZTBiZGNlOC9wb2RjYXN0L3Jzcw
Full episodes playlist: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLghfvh2wd7A9MnVKr44jtPEg0qcZ1esTF
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- YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@haverstickdesigns
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- Website: https://www.haverstickdesigns.com/
#TheSOUNDProject #HaverstickDesigns #BrettAinslie #MusicEducation #FilmScoring #RecordingStudio #MusicCommunity #MusicAcademy #CreativeCommunity #SouthCarolinaMusic #StudioDesign #MusicTeaching #MusicStudents #MusicProduction
Timestamps:
00:00 – Intro with Gavin & Brett
01:00 – Brett’s journey from baseball to music
02:10 – Discovering film scoring and early mentorship
03:20 – Teaching, track production & first studio build
04:45 – Building a music academy during COVID
06:15 – Teaching philosophy & student growth
07:35 – Building community through collaboration
09:00 – Student performances & live events
10:00 – Growth to 100 students & expanding facilities
11:10 – Composing for film & orchestral projects
12:40 – Teaching recording & mixing fundamentals
14:00 – Future vision: blending bands & orchestras
15:20 – Growth from 10 to 100+ students
16:40 – Why community makes creativity thrive
17:45 – Reflections & closing
