Sound Alternative

Sound Alternative is an audio engineering and event production job-training program designed specifically for youth ages 14 to 20. The goal of the program is to instill in at-risk youth the desire to continue on a path of self-improvement through education and vocational training in the exciting field of audio engineering. Students chosen for the program are able to earn a wage while learning valuable job skills.

Our students advance to real world opportunities through classroom studies and hands-on training with relevant equipment under the direction of professional sound and recording engineers; William Green, Jaime Gartelos, and Jamie Carter.

Sound Alternative is a program in partnershipwith After School Matters, Willy Dixon’s Blues Heaven, Gand Sound, Carter Company Recording, Victor Harris (Total Eclipse Sound), Chuck’s Southern Comfort Restaurant, Reggie’s Rock Club, Blastbeat, Rock for Kids, and Lawrence Hall.

Corporate Sponsors:
Shure, TC Electronic, M-audio

Meet the talent behind Sound Alternative: 
William “Chicago Willy” Green – Sound Alternative Founder & Program Director
A graduate from the College of DuPage, Glen Ellyn, IL, and Full Sail Center for the Recording Arts in Orlando, FL, Bill’s career spans from Orlando to New Orleans working in free-lance as a Cameraman, Editor, and Audio Engineer, and since 1993, to Chicago where he is the in-house Audio Engineer at the Hyatt Regency. Bill started his own record label, Rough House Recording Company which discovered and recorded Jake La Botz, an unknown street musician, who later went on to star in motion pictures, as well as release his own CD’s. Bill then started Rough House Sound Reinforcement providing sound for local shows, and community venues. Upon seeing the youth programs at Benton House, Bill offered to start an audio engineering program for at-risk youth, and the Sound Alternative program was born.
During his career Bill has worked with Ray Charles, The Beach Boys, Dr. John, Marie Osmond, Former President Bill Clinton, Former Vice President Al Gore, President Barack Obama, Jake la Botz, Ohio Players, the Four Tops, The B-52’s, Hurricane Gumbo, Indigo Swing and many more.

Jaime Gartelos – Instructor
Jaime Gartelos is a talented artist, oil painter and multi-instrumentalist with extensive background in a variety of disciplines, including but not limited to: live sound engineering, recording production, playwriting, jingle writing, acting, voice over, radio production, music and lyrical composition, scenic arts, lighting design, prestidigitation and legerdemain, juggling, wood working, framing, art preparation, art installation, curation, acoustical design and invention.

For the past eighteen years Jaime has written and produced several professional recordings.  In 2007, Jaime co-wrote and co-produced the Mad Art Radio Hour: Episodes 1 and 2 with the late Jamie Foehner.

Jamie brings and extensive background in sound engineering and recording production. He is the founder and owner of Carter Company Recording Studio.