Picture this: You grab your bag, walk into school, and at the end of the day, instead of heading home, you head straight to a professional recording studio. Not someday. Right now, as part of your high school experience at The School of Arts and Enterprise (The SAE). Twice a week, student artists in the Recording Technology Dual Major Program do exactly that. And it is changing what music education looks like.

A Studio With A Story

The story of The SAE recording studio is pretty remarkable. A Pomona community member donated an 80s-era recording studio that had been abandoned and untouched for years. Then The SAE got involved.

With a California Specialized Secondary Programs (CTE) grant from the state, the school transformed the space into something truly special: a mix of analog warmth and modern technology that professional musicians would envy. New equipment was added, a part-time specialist teacher was brought on to build and teach the curriculum, and the Recording Technology Dual Major Program was born. That was three years ago, and the program has been growing ever since.

More Than Music Class

The Recording Technology Program is a dual major option within the Music Major, available to high school students (grades 9-12) who want to go deeper into the business and craft of recorded music. Students work in the studio twice a week, building real skills in audio production and recording engineering.

But here is what really sets it apart: students can bring in their friends’ bands to record. Not as a one-time field trip. As part of what they do. They are learning by doing, for real audiences, with real stakes. Want to learn more about the full Music Major and what it includes? Visit thesae.org/arts/music.

Oh, and We Have Our Own Record Label

Yes, really. Fourth Street Records is The SAE’s very own student-run record label. It is the kind of thing that sounds too cool to be true, but at The SAE, this is just Tuesday. (Or Friday. They are in the studio both days.)

Fourth Street Records gives our student artists hands-on experience in what it actually takes to put music out into the world. From recording to production to release, they are not just learning about the music industry. They are participating in it.

Real Skills. Real Careers. Real Now.

The Recording Technology Program is part of what makes The SAE one of the most forward-thinking arts schools in California. This is Career Technical Education with soul. Students graduate with portfolios, professional experience, and a network that most music school graduates spend years trying to build.

For families wondering what the future holds beyond graduation, this program is a direct answer. Careers in audio engineering, music production, sound design, and music technology are in demand and growing. SAE student artists are getting a running start.

Starting in Middle School? Good Timing.

If you are a middle schooler with a love of music, now is a great time to start exploring. The SAE’s middle school music pathways help you find your footing so that when high school arrives, you are ready to step into opportunities like this one. The studio is waiting.

Curious about the Music Major or the Recording Technology Program? Explore all of our majors at thesae.org/arts/music and find out what your future at The SAE could sound like.

About The SAE

The School of Arts and Enterprise (The SAE) is an audition-free and tuition-free arts charter school serving grades 6-12. Our campuses are located in the Pomona, CA Arts Colony, surrounded by a thriving professional arts community. We offer nationally-recognized, award-winning arts education and creative entrepreneurship for young artists through project-based learning and flexible block scheduling. Students are supported by a close-knit community that values creative expression and celebrates differences. Join The SAE today! Enrolling now.

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