Bobbi Giel has been passionate about music since she was young, as even at 6 years old, she was taking piano and voice lessons. She eventually picked up other instruments: violin, guitar, bass, and mallet percussion.
During high school, she knew she wanted to continue a career in music, but the most obvious of options (music education, composition, or performance) just didn’t feel like the right fit for her. When Giel took a few sound recording electives, she realized music production was a viable option and a sector of the music industry that she could thrive in.
It was during Giel’s time at The Hartt School that her passion for music production took off. She worked closely with the two music production and technology professors, Gabe Herman and Justin Kurtz, and credits “their consistent guidance and encouragement, which contributed greatly to my success. I’m very thankful for both of them.”
Starting in her sophomore year at Hartt, Giel was a staff engineer for the Hartt Recording Studios and was a lead live sound engineer for the Campus Activities Team in her senior year. The skills she learned in these activities were not only audio based, but she was able to learn how to work productively with different types of people and apply them in a variety of environments.
Giel also cites the University of Hartford structure as crucial to her well-rounded education, as she took courses outside of her focus in music, including ones at the Barney School of Business (she received a minor in Business Administration) and at CETA. “Having such a broad understanding of different subjects has allowed me to be a valuable asset to the studios and companies I’ve worked with so far in my career,” she says. Additionally, Giel’s exposure in the other schools’ courses allowed for her “friendships to develop with individuals pursuing different career paths….To this day, some of my closest friends from undergrad are now physical therapists, lawyers, and medical professionals.”
These connections forged at UHart were also important to Giel’s career trajectory. Following graduation, she spent two years working in various recording and post-production studios in New York City, including the new Atlantic Studios at Atlantic Records and LVLY Studios. A fellow student who graduated a few years ahead of Giel (Adam Grover ’12) introduced her to an internship at Georgetown Masters in Nashville, Tennessee. Grover eventually became one of Giel’s mentors, which lead her to become an assistant mastering engineer. In 2022, she became the head mastering engineer at Welcome to 1979, a multifaceted, analog-centric studio that provides both digital and vinyl mastering services.
When reflecting back on her time at Hartt, Giel is effusive in her praise. She also has words of wisdom for future graduates, advising them to “take advantage of the different opportunities the University of Hartford has to offer, and don’t be afraid to step out of your comfort zone when you do.”