In quick fashion, University of Memphis alumna Rebekah Wineman (pictured) has achieved a lofty space within her chosen field of audio engineering. Next month, she may add a Grammy Award to her already impressive resume.
Wineman, who graduated from the U of M’s Rudi E. Scheidt Department of Music in 2013 with a bachelor’s degree in sound recording technology, has been nominated for her work as a mastering engineer in the Grammys’ Best Historical Album category. She works for Meyer Media in New York City, where Andreas Meyer and Wineman remastered the recordings of pianist Oscar Levant for “Rhapsody in Blue: The Extraordinary Life of Oscar Levant.”
In comments to her hometown newspaper, the Record-Eagle of Interlochen, Michigan, Wineman explained what interested her in the field of audio engineering and the news that she’d earned a Grammy nomination.
In college, Rebekah Wineman learned about music restoration and cleaning up audio. She became somewhat of an expert on the topics, which led her to meet her current boss.
“My boss has been doing this for quite a long time. I feel like he’s made a name for himself. He’s taught me how to really refine my skill in this area,” she said.
It took the pair four months to digitally remaster the Levant recordings, which is longer than most projects, Wineman said. The project resulted in a box set of eight CDs …
“I’ve never been to LA before. My boss has won several Grammys already, and for me it’s just overwhelming,’ Wineman said.
Wineman is also playing a role in a noteworthy movement within the entertainment industry. A story in Variety — “Grammys Step Up — for the Most Part — With Multiple Female Nominations” — mentions this U of M graduate’s place in this year’s award contenders.
“Looking at non-performer categories, many pointed out last year how difficult it is for female producers and engineers to be recognized. Linda Perry is a nominee for Producer of the Year, Non-Classical. Two of the five Classical Producer of the Year nominees are female, and Mary Mazurek has a nod for Best Engineered Classical Album. Mastering engineer Rebekah Wineman is nominated in the Best Historical Album category.”
The Grammy Awards are Feb. 10 in Los Angeles.
— Phillip Tutor, CCFA media coordinator, potutor@memphis.edu
(Photo courtesy http://rebekahdwineman.com)
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