The Cardinal Times Spring 2021 Issue

ARTS & CULTURE The Cardinal Times, SPRING 2021 • PAGE 3
Staff Profile: David Kays
By EIRINI SCHOINAS
This year, a new Audio Engineering class the perfect class to learn the ins and outs “We are looking to grow the program so
was started by music department teacher of music and audio production and would that there are three levels: Beginning Audio
David Kays. The Career Technical Education
(CTE) class focuses on learning and easier. I haven’t been disappointed.” and Practicum Audio Engineering,” Kays
make producing my own music a whole lot Engineering, Advanced Audio Engineering
applying skills in recording, production Kays pointed out that the digital revolution
has led to the explosion of many indus-
Audio Engineering. In this class, students
said. “Next year we are adding Advanced
and other possible careers in the music industrytries,
in turn providing many opportunities will not only be running sound at school
“I’ve always taught my Performing Arts in Audio Engineering and Music Productionnity
to work with our community partners
events, but they will also have the opportu-
students that there are many careers out
there in the music industry that do not require
you to perform on an instrument or to Engineering and Music Production are While the Audio Engineering class is an
“The opportunities for careers in Audio out in the field.”
sing, “ Kays said. “Not only does Audio Engineering
and Music Production comple-
a field traditionally dominated by white mitted teacher who runs a number of other
expanding,” Kays said. “Although this is exciting addition to Lincoln, Kays is a comment
our existing music classes, but it also males, recently the number of women and classes that students enjoy.
provides a platform to expand the kinds of BIPOC [Black, Indigenous and people of “Mr. Kays is a dedicated and enthusiastic
teacher,” said sophomore Jonah Byars,
music we explore and create.”
color ] audio engineers are growing. The
Despite kickstarting the class during the demand for women and BIPOC audio engineers
is high, so now is a good time to begin Inquiry (FLI) class last year. “The class was
who took Kays’ Freshman Leadership and
COVID-19 pandemic, many students have
signed up for Audio Engineering this year. exploring those possibilities.“
really enjoyable and an interesting alternative
to the normal FLI class.”
The feedback from students taking part in In the class, students are able to demonstrate
recording techniques in the studio, Kays really enjoys teaching at Lincoln
this class has been undeniably positive.
“I’m a singer-songwriter and have tried mix audio and Musical Instrument Digital and hopes to continue to successfully support
students in the coming years.
Engineering class, which will include three levels,
Kays is excited to be introducing the Audio
my hand at producing my own music. In Interfacing (MIDI) tracks, create beats and
doing so, I found that it was pretty much more.
“I love teaching at Lincoln,” Kays said. as a CTE class.
a whole different art in itself and I needed Audio Engineering is a CTE program of “What makes it a great place for me are the Photo courtesy of LINCOLN YEARBOOK
to learn a lot more to get comfortable with study that is supported by Portland Public people. Our teachers, administrators, support
staff and students are so fun to work
it,” senior Atharv Bhingarde said. “I found Schools (PPS) and the state of Oregon, and
[out] that there was a new Audio Engineering
class and thought that it would be duced at Lincoln, there are already plans to ting back in the building soon.”
although the class has only just been intro-
with and I am really looking forward to get-
expand the program.
Musicians share what music means to them
By KATE HADDON AND SKYLAR DEBOSE
From consumption to production, music
plays a large role in the lives of students at
Lincoln.
For senior Mack Ashbaugh, who sings for
Vivace, Lincoln’s acapella group, as well as
the Lincoln choir, music was a way for him
to connect with other students and find his
place in high school.
“When I first came to Lincoln, I joined
choir, and that really helped me feel comfortable
being at Lincoln,” he said.
Katie King, a sophomore and singer/
guitarist, also found her place in the music
community.
“The artist community at Lincoln is very
welcoming and really kind,” she said. “I’ve
only had positive experiences with everybody
in my [Cardinal Choir] class.”
Students say music can also be a stress
reliever.
When Ashbaugh was on a hockey team
where he faced bullying, music helped him
work through it.
“I didn’t really know how to deal with
[the bullying] and I found music. It was
really like therapy to me, it helped me find
balance in my life,” he said.
That balance has also served as a help to
people who simply want to get things off of
their mind. For King, music is a form of expression.
“[Music is] a really great way to communicate
how you feel,” she said. “That’s the
way I communicate [my emotions].”
Senior Carson Nitta, a bassist in the
school jazz ensemble and for Salad Water, a
local band, also uses music to connect with
people.
“Playing music with someone for the
first time is like having a conversation with
them [or] meeting them for the first time,
and that’s always really cool,” Nitta said.
Similarly, connection drives the passion
of some singers to keep performing and inspiring
others.
“I always like to see somebody be affected
in some way by a song I’ve written,” senior
Atharv Bhingarde said about when he
performs his original music.
By using his own life as an inspiration for
the music he writes and sings, Bhingarde
can bring back memories and connect to
his audience.
For rapper and musician, senior Caleb
Dickson and Ashbaugh, being so passionate
about music has truly influenced who
they are today.
“I feel like [music is] my entire life,” Ashbaugh
said. “I wouldn’t be where I am without
it.”
Even when passionate about something,
things can easily get in the way. For many
young artists, school is a barrier.
“[School] can just flex my creative zone,”
Dickson said.
However, creative activities such as writing
and performing music does not always
come easy. Ashbaugh finds it’s difficult to
juggle school and his hobbies too.
“Having to balance hockey– which I play
seven days a week– with music– which
I practice every day too– and then with
school... it’s very hard,” said Ashbaugh.
Being a musician for some entails writing
as well as performing, but writing music
can be very challenging. For Dickson, his
creativity can come and go while he writes.
“My writing process is very interesting
sometimes. There will be days… where I’m
not trying to write right now, other days it’ll
just come to me,” he said. But when he has
a strong idea, it’s easier, “I just get inspired
and when I do I just have to really get in
the zone… I just turn everything off and I’m
like, ‘today I need to write.’”
When it comes to their future, Lincoln
musicians have different plans for where
music will take them.
Nitta doesn’t plan on attending music
school but will continue to share his passion
for music with others.
“I will definitely be taking classes and
trying to meet people [in college] who also
share my interests, and maybe even start
another band wherever I go to school,” he
said.
Meanwhile, Ashbaugh knows exactly
what he wants to do with his life, and that’s
becoming a professional musician.
“I refuse to not let it happen,” he said. “I
think that one of the ways a lot of people
don’t make it [is that] they doubt themself,
[but] I don’t doubt it at all. I’m going to
become a professional and that’s the only
thing I want to do with my life.”
Dickson would also love to have a future
career in music.
“I would love to continue on and learn
more and just create music in general,” he
said. “If that’s where my career takes me,
that is just a blessing.”
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