Michael Dunston

Michael Dunston, Senior Instructor

School of Performing Arts
Downtown Studio
125 N. Main, Suite 2000
Blacksburg, VA 24061
540-231-9942
mdunston@vt.edu

Michael Dunston directs the music recording and production curriculum at Virginia Tech, manages the School of Performing Arts Studio facility, and oversees departmental audio and video recordings, live broadcasts, performance archives, media production, and IT/server systems. His diverse background includes working in the fields of audio recording, audio engineering, concert production, software and hardware development, and internet technologies. The courses he teaches include studies in acoustics, audio recording, audio mixing and mastering, media distribution and archival practices, general audio engineering, video production, and website development. His studio courses combine traditional lectures with hands-on experiential learning opportunities in classroom, studio, and location recording environments, and he teaches individual applied and special study courses designed around the unique academic and professional goals of students within our music technology degree option.

Principal Areas of Research Focus

Music Technology, Audio Engineering, Recording, Production, Videography, Multimedia, Internet Technologies
Teaching Areas: Audio Technology for Music, Music and Media Production, Music Technology Senior Seminar, Independent Studies

Courses

Music 2055: Audio Technology for Music I (Fall semester only, TTH @ 12:30)
Music 2056: Audio Technology for Music II (Spring semester only, TTH @ 12:30)
Music 2754: Individual Applied Recording (Fall and Spring semesters, Arr.)
Music 3055: Music and Media Production I (Fall semester only, MWF @ 12:20)
Music 3056: Music and Media Production II (Spring semester only, MWF @ 12:20)
Music 4055: Music Technology Senior Seminar I (Fall semester only, Arr.)
Music 4056: Music Technology Senior Seminar II (Spring semester only, Arr.)
Music 4754: Advanced Individual Applied Recording (Fall and Spring semesters, Arr.)
Independent Studies, Senior Project Portfolio (Fall and Spring semesters, Arr.)

Faculty Spotlight: Questions and Answers with Michael Dunston

What do you most enjoy about your work?

I very much enjoy working closely with students, often in small groups or individually, throughout a significant portion of their academic career. While many faculty and students usually only know one another for one or two semesters, I often have students in my curriculum for as many as six or seven semesters throughout their academic career. Not only does this allow for a greater opportunity to develop relationships, it also allows for customization of curricular and instructional methods to best meet the needs and goals of each individual student, as well as develop a greater sense of responsibility and stewardship within our program.

What gives you the most satisfaction as a teacher?

One of the things that gives me great satisfaction in teaching is working directly with students, both inside and outside of the classroom, on a wide variety of diverse projects such as the recording and production of audio and video for live performances, studio session recordings, digital photography, videography, audio mastering, digital media archiving, community outreach, and industry research and development.

While working with students in this manner is more time consuming than traditional classroom methods, the benefits of experiential learning through directed instruction and immersion in these opportunities are clear. This guided approach to the practical application of classroom knowledge in complex situations helps develop the versatility and adaptability necessary for success in today’s professional and highly competitive environments.