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

Keep up with us on our Socials:

- 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