Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Kia Shavon. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Alright, Kia thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Learning the craft is often a unique journey from every creative – we’d love to hear about your journey and if knowing what you know now, you would have done anything differently to speed up the learning process.

My journey into audio engineering began on a whim. In my sophomore year, I switched to Music Engineering Technology with no prior experience. While school equipped me with the technical knowledge, real confidence came from practical application. This is why I believe the true learning began when I started working in a professional studio environment.

The campus recording studio was a goldmine I underutilized. Collaborating with student and local talent would have accelerated my learning significantly.

Fueling my passion to master the craft were two key forces: unwavering hunger and a deep passion for the art of audio engineering. These driving forces allowed me to fully immerse myself in the world of sound. Passion fosters a natural problem-solving mindset as any challenge becomes an opportunity to learn and grow. This field thrives on the ability to research and problem solve – it’s practically half the job!

Ironically, the fear of appearing unknowledgeable prevented me from seeking help from experienced engineers in person. Instead, I relied heavily on online forums and YouTube, which have limitations. As an introvert, I naturally prefer going at things alone, however, I’ve come to realize that collaboration with other engineers is an invaluable source of learning and new perspectives.

Kia, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

Hi, I’m Kia Shavon (she/her), creatively known as “The Mix Artist”.

I am an extremely laid back audio engineer, classically trained percussionist, and lover of most living things.

My journey into audio engineering wasn’t planned at all. I stumbled onto it during my sophomore year in college, completely by accident. I had been a music performance major – playing percussion since I was eight years old. I even attended a college where I could be on the drumline (Hampton University). However, I quickly realized I didn’t want to pursue a degree in drumming. My college only offered two other music programs. The first was Music Education, a five-year degree program, which I had absolutely no interest in. I was trying to get in and get out. The second was Music Engineering, of which I knew nothing.

I considered pursuing business because I felt you could work anywhere with a business degree, but music was always my passion, so I took a leap of faith into the engineering field. I learned about it, stepped into a studio for the very first time, and happened to fall in love with it.
And here we are today.

I offer a comprehensive range of audio services, from recording, mixing (music + film), mastering, Dolby Atmos Music mixing, audio restoration, live sound mixing, private lessons and consultations.

Lots of engineers simply get a record and mix it – no questions asked, no relationships formed, but my approach extends beyond simply manipulating faders and knobs. I prioritize creating a safe, judgement-free space that fosters open communication. This collaborative environment allows artists to comfortably share their vision, the emotions and stories embedded within their music. By taking the time to understand them, I can truly become an extension of the artist’s creative process. I take pride in serving as a liaison turning the artist’s vision into a fully realized work of art for the world to experience.

How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?

Early on in my studio career, audio engineering and studio life was my entire world. I practically lived there, always ready with my backpack filled with essentials because I never knew when I’d be heading back home. I was young, eager, and available to work with anyone who needed me.

While I loved the work, I eventually realized I was missing out on life. An unexpected wake-up call came when I received an invitation to my best friend’s wedding. I hadn’t even realized he was engaged, let alone met his fiancée. It made me pause and reflect on what else was passing me by. I realized I’d been so caught up in my career that I’d been missing out on life’s important moments. Sure, I loved working with amazing artists, but the non-stop schedule left little time for anything else.

Also, as I matured, I became increasingly uncomfortable with the message and energy behind many of the records I was working on as a predominantly hip-hop engineer at the time. I needed to work on projects that fed my soul and were in alignment with , or at the very least, not in stark opposition with my core beliefs.
So, I made a conscious decision to prioritize self-care, relationships, and experiences beyond the studio. I shifted from being constantly on-call to establishing a structured schedule that allowed for a better balance between work and personal life. I became selective about the projects I took on, focusing on those in alignment with my values.
Transitioning to remote mixing, mastering, and consultations granted me even greater creativity, flexibility, and control over my schedule. Now, I have the freedom to travel and explore the world while still working on music with amazing people.

However, this shift wasn’t without its struggles. There were moments of doubt and questioning whether I was making the right choices, especially as the workload decreased. I still sometimes battle with feeling like I should be doing more, yet, I understand that my purpose extends beyond being a service provider and advancing my career – it’s about embracing a complete human experience that encompasses both, my professional AND personal aspirations.
This pivot brought a newfound sense of fulfillment to both my career and my life, reinforcing the importance of balance and authenticity.

Looking back, are there any resources you wish you knew about earlier in your creative journey?

Absolutely! There are fantastic resources available today that I wish existed when I first started my journey. Initiatives fostering safe spaces for women and marginalized genders in music and audio, like Omni Sound Project, Sound Girls, Women’s Audio Mission (WAM), and She Is The Music (just to name a few), are invaluable for mentorship, collaboration, and building a supportive community. These organizations, while some may not have been around earlier in my career, represent a fantastic shift towards inclusivity in the field.

Beyond these, resources like Cambridge Music Technology’s Free Multitrack Download Library would have been a game-changer. This platform allows you to download audio sessions from different genres and practice mixing without the need to actually go out and get the clients. It’s a great way to build your portfolio and enhance your skills.

Contact Info:

• Website: themixartist.com
• Instagram: @themixartist
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheMixArtist/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kiashavon/
• Other: Can be booked on : Engineears.com/themixartist Discography : https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PL6C788337271731EA

Image Credits
Kwen Dizzy, Shaaye, Anneka, Ali Renee