WHAT WE DO AND WHO WE ARE
Focusing on works in Sound Design and Post-Production Editing and Mixing for all media genres including animated shorts, commercials, music, podcasts, audiobooks, television/radio episodes, and films of all genres. Specializing in sound character design and immersive soundscapes.
Kirsten Johnston is a Front of House and Monitor Audio Engineer and Sound Designer, with over 19 years' experience mixing live sound for music, theater productions, corporate events, and recording studios.
Currently working as the Head Audio Engineer at The Washington Center for the Performing Arts in Olympia WA. Formerly a Front of House and Monitor Engineer at the Walton Arts Center and Theater Squared in Fayetteville AR.
A Graduate of Full Sail University, with a Bachelors in Audio Production and a Master of Fine Arts in Sound Design for Visual Media from The Academy of Art University. A standing member of the Sound Girls Organization, The Audio Engineering Society, The Recording Academy's GRAMMY U PNW Chapter and IATSE local 15.
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CV
SUMMARY OF QUALIFICATIONS
• 20 yrs. Experience in live music events, theater production, corporate
events, and recording studios.
• 20 yrs. Experience in automotive repair, building, and parts.
• Bachelor of Science in Audio Engineering from Full Sail University.
• Master’s Fine Arts in Sound Design from the Academy of Art University.
• Detail-oriented, Organized, and a Fast Learner.
• Proven ability in customer service and employee management
• Experience in Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Logic Pro, ProTools,
Ableton Live, QLab, Windows OS, and Mac OS
• Hands on knowledge of Midas M32, Yamaha CL1, QL5 and M7, Behringer X32,
and Avid Profile consoles
• Experience in all departments of theater and concert production: Audio, Video,
Lighting, Carpentry, Properties, Wardrobe, Fly Rail, and Rigging.
EDUCATION
• Academy of Art University,
• MFA Sound Design for Visual Media. 2020-2024
• Full Sail University, Honors and Valedictorian,
• Bachelor of Science in Audio Production. 2014-2018
COMPUTER SKILLS
• Windows OS, Mac OS
• MS Excel, Word, PowerPoint
• Pages, Numbers, Keynote
• Logic Pro
• ProTools
• Ableton Live
• QLab
• Wwise
• Dante Networking
• Meyer Compass
• Sibelius
ACTIVITIES AND INTERESTS
Sound engineering, music, mechanics (Auto, and Motorcycles).
PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS
• IATSE Local 15
• SoundGirls Organization
• Audio Engineering Society
• The Recording Academy: GRAMMY U Pacific Northwest Chapter
AWARDS and RECOGNITIONS
• Lift-Off Online Berlin 2025 Film Festival —Best Post-Production
• 5th Reels International Film Festival 2024: Best Sound Design
• Beyond The Curve International Film Festival: Winner, Best Background Score
• Oniros Film Awards® - Winner; BEST SOUND DESIGN
• FilmNest International Film Festival: Best Sound Design – Winner
• Critics' Choice International Film Festival: Best Sound Design – Winner
• Accolade Global Film Competition: Award of Excellence: Sound Editing / Sound
Mixing
• Swedish International Film Festival: Best Background Score – Winner
• Golden Nugget International Film Festival: Best Sound Design – Winner
• LuminaFlicks International Short Film Fest: Best Sound and Sound Design -
Winner
• New York International Film Awards™ - BEST SOUND DESIGN - Winner
• Madrid Shorts Film Festival: Best Sound - Winner
• 10th Music Film Festival: Better sound effects
• IndieFEST Film Awards: Award of Excellence: Sound Editing / Sound Mixing
• Indie Short Fest: Best Sound Mixing - Winner
• Los Angeles Film Awards: Best Sound Design – Winner
• Best Shorts Competition: Award of Excellence: Sound Editing / Sound Mixing
• Independent Shorts Awards: Gold Award For Best Sound Design
EXPERIENCE
Washington Center for the Performing Arts, Olympia WA: House Head Audio Engineer: 2019 to current
Load in and load out of local and touring acts, setting up and testing various equipment, advancing production
riders, Design and operation of various sound amplification systems. Performing A1, A2, V1, and V2 duties
primarily.
IATSE Local 15, Seattle WA: Blue Card: 2019 to current
Load in and load out of local and touring acts, setting up and testing various equipment. Performing A1, A2, V1, and
V2 duties primarily.
Rhino Staging Northwest, LLC., Tacoma WA: General Stagehand: 2019 to 2019
Load in and load out of local and touring acts, setting up and testing various equipment.
Just Right Productions LLC., Tacoma WA: On Site Supervisor, Office Manager: 2019 to 2019
Scheduling, and managing local crews for numerous live events.
Walton Arts Center/ Arkansas Music Pavilion: Audio Engineer, General Stagehand: 2016 to 2019
Load in and load out of local and touring acts, setting up and testing of various equipment, Perform the functions of
A1 and A2 for various performances.
Theater Squared INC, Fayetteville AR: Lead Audio Engineer: 2017 to 2019
Regional Productions of Fun Home the Musical, Vietgone, Once the Musical, Charlotte’s Web, Lilly’s Purple Plastic
Purse, and Peter Pan. Responsibilities include Tech design and implementation of wireless microphone systems,
operating a Behringer X32, and Yamaha CL1, Qlab operation and executing each performance.
Keystone Digital LLC, Fayetteville AR: Install and Service Technician: 2017 to 2017
Install A/V systems, including projection design on University of Arkansas Campus, Walton Arts Center, Aloft Hotels,
Marriott Hotels, and other projects nationwide.
Red Feather Productions, Springdale AR: Stage Manager, Audio Engineer: 2014 to 2017
Load in and load out of equipment, setup of stages, routing audio and lighting, Stage Management, FOH audio
engineer and monitor engineer.
Faire Company Inc., Pettigrew, AR: On Site and Administrative Assistant: 2004 to 2009
Operation of Soundcraft and Tascam Analog consoles, placement of microphones, mixing and mastering of final
sessions, staffing, payroll, maintenance, building, booking, insurance, and taxes