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Simon Groves thought he was destined to fly planes, until a stint of school work experience sent him in another direction entirely.

Simon graduated from Duncraig campus in 2016 and is now working as a sound engineer with Artisan Music Recording Studio and AVPartners.

He spent his school work experience at Artisan, learning the basics of sound recording and engineering and developing an increasing interest in the industry as he learnt.

His mentor at Artisan saw Simon’s passion and enthusiasm as well and offered him work in his school holidays as a studio assistant during recording sessions. After graduation, Simon was offered the chance to open the second control room in the studio and work with his own clients, continuing to develop his experience as a recording and mastering engineer and vocal producer.

“I’ve been fortunate to have some great opportunities since leaving school,” Simon says.

He worked with Perth Diving Academy, filling tanks and serving customers for 12 months after graduating from school then decided to it was time to try to get some more work experience in the live audio field.

“I approached a contact who worked for AVPartners to get some work experience and instead of offering me that, he offered me a position working at Crown Perth. A year later, AVPartners was contracted as the inhouse AV company at the new The Westin Perth, where I have been based since,” he says.

He says he loves the reward of the process in his day-to-day work.

“Recording and music production allow for so much creativity, but the best part is the release of the finished product, even more so when the client is blown away by the result we have been able to achieve.”

He says ironically COVID-19 gave him a career opportunity he credits as one of his most memorable so far, working with country music icon, 12-time Golden Guitar winner Adam Brand when he produced, recorded and mixed three songs in the Perth studio during his stay here during the initial outbreak of the virus. One of which is his latest chart-topping single I’m Coming Home.

More recently, Simon was given another memorable career opportunity to work on shows for the AFL in the lead up to and during the historic WA AFL Grand Final.

Simon reflects on his time at St Stephen’s School saying the work ethic he developed there has continued in his post-school work life.

“The world after school is very competitive and having a hard-working attitude and ethic allows for more opportunities, whether study or employment.”

His simple tip for current students – life after school is fantastic!

“Keep in contact with school friends, but don’t forget that new friends will come along through uni and work. But always remember that some of your school friendships will be for life.”

Find out more about Simon’s work at Artisan Music Recording Studio at https://www.artisanmusic.com.au/engineers-simon-groves/