As a hub for sonic experimentation, Chicago’s Experimental Sound Studio (ESS) is known for supporting not only artists and their work but also the world of academic sound.

From internship opportunities to partnerships with education institutions, ESS helps students creatively explore sound and music. And when its co-director and chief recording engineer, Alex Inglizian, joined the MA in Sound Arts and Industries program as an instructor in 2017, he wanted to make sure students got to experience what ESS offers.

To make this connection, he brought his students to the studio once a year to work on a project together, try an activity like circuit bending, or simply see how the space operates.

In 2024, however, he decided to approach things differently. Instead of taking only his students to ESS, Inglizian worked with Northwestern Career Advisor J. Grace Weir to make sure everyone in the program could explore the studio and its resources.

In October, the new cohort of Sound Arts and Industries students visited ESS to not only meet Inglizian, a dynamic force within Chicago’s creative landscape, but also experience a behind-the-scenes tour of the studio and audio archive, which can be used for research or inspiration.

When Mia Hammett ’25 heard about the tour, she knew she wanted to participate. “I was so excited to see a visit to ESS integrated into the program,” she explains. “I read about the studio before the program started while researching music and experimental sound spaces in Chicago. It was my first time stepping into a real recording studio space.”

She appreciated the chance to visit ESS as part of a group, which helped her overcome the feelings of intimidation sometimes associated with visiting a professional studio. Exploring the facility together, being able to ask questions, and listening to other perspectives helped demystify the space and equipment and made it seem more approachable.

“Although I call myself a music maker, I never felt like I belonged in a studio like that until now,” Hammett says. “Alex made us feel like anyone who chooses to make music can walk in and belong.”

During the tour, students learned not only about what ESS offers while they’re part of the Sound Arts and Industries program but also how it will serve as a resource after graduation.

“For example, as a nonprofit and community organization, we try to keep our rental costs very low to make it accessible for musicians and sound makers who need a recording studio,” explains Inglizian. “ESS also offers many opportunities for students and artists to get involved in programs and presentations.

With apprehension about job prospects always weighing on her mind, Hammett says the ESS visit also gave her a much-needed sense of reassurance: When she walked through the studio doors, she met Kate In ’22, a Sound Arts and Industries graduate who works at ESS. “The fear I had about finding a job outside the program was mitigated by meeting Kate and seeing that she was able to land a job after graduation.”

Along with other Sound Arts and Industries students, Hammett also got a taste of Inglizian’s Advanced Production course—which many of them will take in the Winter 2025 quarter. Using a vintage recording console alongside modern sound tools, students experienced a hands-on demonstration of analog-digital hybrid workflows to better understand how legacy and contemporary production approaches can come together.

“With that in mind, we recorded a piano through electronics to process the sound in a creative, interesting way,” explains Inglizian. “The students learned about the signal flow and routing of the studio and were able to make a really cool recording in the process.”

Although the word “community” can be overused, Hammett says the tour serves as a good example of what it really means. “I can talk to faculty without barriers. I can talk to other students. We get the chance to explore and ask questions,” she says. “It was clear that Alex was very excited to show us what’s possible and make music with us. There’s a real sense of community here.”