Transparency
Chico, Calif. — Inside the hum of the recording studio at Seventh Street Center for the Arts, Rodney Wing is more than just an intern. He’s a skilled audio engineer, a musician, a mentor, and a force of positivity whose presence reverberates through every note and every project.
“I work with a screen reader called VoiceOver on the computer here. [I’m] visually impaired, and I can still see light, but the screen reader dictates everything on the screen,” Wing explained. “So like, if I’m working in a digital audio workstation called ProTools, the screen reader tells me everything that’s on the screen—your buttons, your levels, your knobs… everything.”
Despite his vision loss, Wing has mastered the intricate and often highly visual world of audio production. Using Apple’s accessibility features and a keen ear, he records, edits, and mixes music for students, instructors, and local businesses alike. “You want the singer to be hearing, spontaneously when they’re singing. You don’t want that delay,” he said, explaining how he troubleshoots audio issues in real time. “You’ve got to be very quick… because people are coming in.”
Wing’s passion for music is deeply rooted. “Everybody’s got their own uniqueness to it,” he said of the collaborative spirit at the center. “Some of the students are musically talented and then some of the employees, they sing and play instruments. Ben here (the job coach) plays guitar. I play keyboards. I’m a singer, drummer. And the manager, Bill—he actually builds ukuleles.”
Music isn’t just a hobby or a job for Wing—it’s a lifestyle. His early training began with analog systems. “I started out in 2001 with what we call ATS, which is a digital audio tape system… I had a studio way back in the day, and I would record people just for free to get experience,” he said. “Then I went to college in 2020 and got the audio certificate in pro audio recording. That was pretty fun.”
Now, Wing uses his experience to guide others. Whether helping a student record “The Gambler” line by line or setting up equipment for a live jam session, he meets each challenge with patience and enthusiasm. “I approach the students with my knowledge, and then we collaborate with open minds,” he said. “You know, we just kind of collaborate together.”
This was made possible through Wing’s involvement in the Paid Internship Program (PIP) through Mains’l Services Seventh Street Center for the Arts. Job Development and Job Coaching are paired to secure an internship through an employer in the community that fits their interest and skillset. PIP is limited to up to 1,040 hours or 365 days to learn different job skills hands on with the goal of being directly hired by the employer and transition to Competitive Integrated Employment.
Wing’s dedication and upbeat demeanor make him an integral part of the team. “They like to see someone happy. They like to see people getting work completed,” he said. “It’s that happiness, that vibe. If people around you are positive, then you can go off that.”
That same attitude has carried him through the technical challenges of his internship. “Sometimes ProTools has a mind of its own,” Wing admitted with a smile. “So, a lot of patience.”
Looking forward, Wing is committed to continuing his journey in audio engineering. “Just keep learning. Keep networking. Keep clients coming in. Keep on writing music,” he said. “Just keep learning.”
And that’s exactly what he does—day in and day out at the Seventh Street Center for the Arts, mixing beats, guiding students, and keeping the rhythm alive.