Music industry professional brings recording expertise to Agua Fria arts school
Submitted Photo/AFUHSD
During AFUHSD's Oct. 14 governing board meeting, officials recognized Brandon Caddell for his contributions to the school's recording studios and performance facilities.
Students at Agua Fria Union High School District's Hilltop School for the Arts are gaining access to professional recording facilities developed with help from a music industry veteran whose credits include Disney projects and Grammy-winning recordings.
During the district's Oct. 14 governing board meeting, officials recognized Brandon Caddell for his contributions to the school's recording studios and performance facilities.
Caddell has worked in music, film and television production, with professional credits that district officials said include Disney, Universal and the Grammy-winning song "Stay With Me" by Sam Smith.
His work also includes Disney's Tiana's Bayou Adventure attraction.
But district officials said his contributions to Hilltop go beyond his professional credentials.
Caddell worked closely with school leaders for approximately 18 months, helping to design and develop three professional recording studios.
He also assisted with equipment selection, recording software and technical training.
"He designed and helped build all of the three professional recording studios that we have in our school today," Julie Jones, principal of Hilltop School for the Arts told the board.
Caddell also brought other industry professionals into the project, creating opportunities for students and staff to work alongside people with professional recording experience.
District officials said he spent extensive time training the school's recording studio instructor and helping to prepare the facilities for student use.
The partnership reflects the district's effort to connect arts education with professional experience.
District representatives said they hope Caddell will continue working with students through the district's volunteer approval process.
His recognition came as the district celebrated the opening of Hilltop's theater and concert hall and expanded opportunities for students pursuing careers in the arts and entertainment industries.
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Meet Stacy Stacy Mantle is joining the team at Independent Newsmedia, Inc. as an Education Solutions journalist, thanks to a grant from the Arizona Community Collaborative. She has a long history in education that ranges from teaching junior high and middle school to developing curriculum and standards-based assessments.
Community: A longtime advocate for animal welfare, Stacy is deeply involved in rescue efforts and volunteers with several nonprofit organizations.
Random Fact: Once upon a time, she shared her home with a pet coyote and two wolf hybrids. The experiences were wild enough to become the subject of her first book!
Education: She holds a BA in English with a minor in Political Science, a Post-baccalaureate in Secondary Education, and an MBA with a emphasis on Marketing.
Hobbies: In her spare time, Stacy writes fast-paced urban fantasy novels, crafts small-batch artisan soap, and is always up for hiking or off-roading through the Arizona wilderness with her husband of 23 years.
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