Trinity Wohlferd: Building a Career Behind the Console
Pursuing a career in music production and sound engineering requires hard work, resilience, and belief in one’s abilities. Trinity Wohlferd’s story is a testament to these virtues, showcasing how determination and education can help overcome obstacles. Her journey is an inspiration to anyone considering a path in the music industry.
Through a candid interview, Trinity shared her experiences, challenges, and achievements, providing invaluable insights for aspiring students looking to forge a career in music.
Finding Her Path to Music
Trinity’s passion for music took root at an early age, sparking her creative journey. “I really fell in love with rap music. I started writing my own songs. That’s all I wanted to do,” she recalled. However, growing up in a small town in upstate New York where few people worked in music, it was difficult to picture a career in sound engineering.
She remembered an experience at a career fair where her dad pointed out a soundboard with buttons and faders. “We didn’t even know what it was called, but it caught my attention,” she shared.
The defining moment came during her high school graduation. Instead of a traditional speech, Trinity submitted a spoken-word rap. “I told myself, if I get picked for this, I’m meant to do music,” she explained. Her performance in front of 3,000 people cemented her decision to pursue music. Soon after, she switched her college enrollment from criminal justice to a digital audio and beat-recording program. “That program made me fall in love with the technicalities of music, and I haven’t looked back since.”
The Road to Expertise: Education and Grit
Trinity’s drive to master music production led her to Full Sail University, where she earned her bachelor’s degree in recording arts. “I spent 20 months diving deep into studio techniques, Pro Tools, micing, and advanced recording methods,” she said.
After graduation, she worked in Orlando, gaining hands-on experience in studios and working on real-world projects. A key milestone during this period was her internship at a dub stage, where she contributed to a CNN documentary. “That internship taught me how much I loved working with sound at a technical level,” she said.
When the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted the music industry, Trinity refused to let the challenges deter her. She sought out studio opportunities and broke barriers as the first female recording engineer at one of the studios where she worked. “The pandemic taught me resilience. You take every challenge as a stepping stone to grow.”
Winning the Abbey Road Scholarship: Career Milestone
Trinity’s pursuit of knowledge led her to Abbey Road Institute Miami through the Pensado’s Place Scholarship. “I was obsessed with Dave Pensado and watched his show religiously. When I saw the scholarship opportunity, I applied immediately,” she recalled.
Balancing full-time studies at Abbey Road and a demanding job at Criteria Studios in Miami wasn’t easy. “I was averaging four hours of sleep per night, juggling work and school, but I knew this would take my career to the next level,” she said.
Standout Moments at Abbey Road Institute Miami
“The biggest thing Abbey Road did for me was the connections. Just getting to meet Robin [Course Director] opened so many doors,” Trinity shared.
While studying, she gained hands-on exposure to industry tools and techniques, mastering multiple DAWs like Pro Tools, Logic, and Ableton. “At Abbey, I realised being versatile is key. You never know what tools you’ll encounter in the studio.”
Guest lessons with music legends, trips to leading studios, and class conversations with figures like Dave Pensado inspired her even more. “Talking to Dave was mind-blowing. He said he worked 15 years before becoming a full-time engineer, and that taught me patience and persistence.”
Trinity in the studio at Criteria Studios in Miami
A Thriving Career at Criteria Studios
While enrolled at Abbey Road Institute Miami, Trinity built her career at Criteria Studios in Miami. She started as a general assistant and worked her way into session engineering and post-production roles. “Criteria gave me the opportunity to grow. I’ve worked on incredible sessions and learned so much about music production and sound engineering,” she said.
Even when sessions wrapped up, Trinity was dedicated to improving. “I made it a habit to create one beat every day to stay sharp for future opportunities.”
Her hard work paid off, with career-defining moments like assisting on Latin Grammy-winning projects. One moment she’ll never forget was seeing “Shakira” included on her session roster. “Although she didn’t make it to that session, working with her team was unforgettable.”
Advice for Aspiring Engineers
Trinity doesn’t hold back when offering advice to budding sound engineers. “A lot of people come out of school and think they’re too good to clean floors. But in reality, you’re going to clean floors even after you win Grammys,” she explained. “Be humble. Be okay with starting from the bottom multiple times over. Just because you worked your way up in one spot doesn’t mean you won’t have to do it again in the next.”
Her advice reminds us that persistence, humility, and a willingness to learn are essential to thrive in the competitive world of music production and sound engineering.
Thank You, Trinity!
We’d like to thank Trinity for sharing her inspiring journey with us. Her career path exemplifies what’s possible with dedication and education. By breaking barriers and persevering through challenges, she serves as a role model for anyone pursuing a career in music production and sound engineering.
Ready to Begin Your Journey in Sound Engineering?
Trinity’s experience shows that with determination, education, and the right connections, you can achieve your dreams in music production and sound engineering. Abbey Road Institute Miami offers world-class programs that prepare you for a thriving career in music.
If you’re ready to study at Abbey Road Institute Miami and take the first step toward your career in music, contact us today to learn more about our courses and programs.
Trinity (second from the right) receiving her diploma during the 2024 Official Graduation Ceremony at Abbey Road Studios in London.
