LEARN FROM THE INDUSTRY’S LEADERS

JOHN MCBRIDE FOUNDER/PRESIDENT/INSTITUTIONAL DIRECTOR

John McBride has a 30+ year career in live sound, tour management, and studio recording. He started his career by launching a live sound company, MD Systems, which Clair Global purchased in 1997. John is still part of the Clair Global management team. Next, he and his wife Martina, a multi-platinum-selling music artist, built Blackbird Studio into one of the world’s premier recording studio complexes. His passion for audio and love for teaching resulted in The Blackbird Academy’s launch in 2013.

Carma Dicianni Director Of Student Operations And Marketing

Carma DiCianni is responsible for strategically building, executing, and maintaining our student/alum programs and corporate partnerships; oversees the creation/implementation of communication and marketing materials for the school; and is financially responsible for the academy.

Carma has been in the education and music industries for over 20 years, working with recording studios, tour management, and as an event/concert photographer. Carma has management experience with multiple artists and bands, including Bon Jovi, Stone Temple Pilots, Ted Nugent, Alice Cooper, Marty Stuart, Travis Tritt, and more. Carma has degrees in Education, Audio Engineering, and Entertainment Business.

Mark Rubel Director Of Education

Mark has taught audio, music technology, music business, and the history of rock to thousands of students since 1985. He has taught at various colleges/universities and has served as the Audio and Recording Director at Eastern Illinois University’s $70 million Doudna Arts Center.

Since 1980, Mark has recorded extensively with a client list that includes Hum, Alison Krauss, Rascal Flatts, Fall Out Boy, Ludacris, and many more.

Jeremy Cottrell Director Of Studio Engineering

Jeremy Cottrell has worked at Blackbird Studio since its opening in 2002. He also became an instructor at The Blackbird Academy when it started in 2013. His engineering credits include Sheryl Crow, The Red Hot Chili Peppers, Martina McBride, Keith Urban, Faith Hill, Tim McGraw, Alison Krauss, Big & Rich, and Jars Of Clay.

ERNESTO OLVERA-LAPIER INSTRUCTOR/STUDIO ENGINEER

Ernesto joined Blackbird in 2012 as a “runner” and worked to an assistant engineering position within a few months. But it was a Keith Urban session that changed Ernesto’s life forever. The lead engineer was unavailable one day and suggested Ernesto take his place. The first song Ernesto recorded in that session was released a few days later as the first single from Keith Urban‘s 2013 chart-topping album, Fuse. The song, “A Little Bit of Everything,” reached number one on the country charts. “Raise ‘Em Up,” a duet