Alumni Testimonials

Jenny Perry Bender

Jenny Perry Bender

After nearly ten years of working in healthcare, I decided to follow my dream and pursue my passion for radio. Life is way too short to look back & wonder, "What if?" So, here I am! I'm a proud graduate of The Media Arts Center. It was through this great school that I got my first job as an entertainer, with ATG Entertainment. It's also where I met some of my dearest friends and mentors. In February of 2021, I moved to CCM and joined 88.3 WAFJ/101.9 WBIJ, part of RTN (Radio Training Network.) I also have done voice tracking and spots for other stations within RTN. My latest aircheck and other audio samples are on my Soundcloud page, @JennyOnAir. Thanks so much for listening! Jenny is a Media Arts center graduate!

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Annaliese

Annaliese Kaplin

Today is my 7 year anniversary of working full-time in the radio industry as an on-air talent! Since my first job in Vermont, I've also been privileged to work and be on-air in Charlottesville VA, and Norfolk-Virginia Beach, VA. My childhood dream was to work in radio, and I still can't believe I made that happen in adulthood. Radio has been my only full-time professional career so far! There's been a lot of change for me at work in the past few weeks following the sudden departure of my former co-host, but I am looking forward to seeing what's to come for me for the rest of 2024! Annaliese began her career at The Media Arts Center!

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Ed Billick

Ed Billick

 
 
 
Wanted to share my thoughts concerning the learning experience at The Media arts Center and how meaningful it was to me, as I "built' my "second career". A year prior to retirement, after hearing the commercial spot on the radio for The Media Arts Center, I took the step and decided to make the call.  I met with the Director of the School, and enrolled in the class two weeks after retirement.  What I found was a fantastic  learning environment , a class of diverse students. (I and another were the oldest).  We brought life's learning's, while the younger members, showed us the power of social media .  The teachers, all professionals in their area of expertise, fully capable of both teaching the  technical aspects as well as the "real world reality' on how to be successful in this business.  All so passionate for their work, it showed as they role modeled for us those needed skills.  I was then was afforded by the school, a twelve week internship with the local AM News/Talk station.  Working the morning News show, up at 2:30a, at the station by 3:30a, real world you bet!  Sourcing, editing audio in very tight time frames, prepping the studio, working the pressure situations to whatever support the hosts needed.  A tremendous memorable experience! I was at that time offered the opportunity to be "on-air" doing Sports Updates for the Weekend Morning New show. I then created a "demo", worked the feedback and began "on air".... five months after starting classes.  I continued to refine the skill set, using the God given voice, along with the work ethic, to secure a spot and make myself "sought after for a variety of work at the station. I now work part-time at that same radio station, doing a variety of tasks, on air Weekend Sports Reports, "fill-in" as a news show producer, board operator and produce/record a weekly human interest show for the weekend.  At times, as I leave the station and see the city skyline, I have to laugh, pinch myself and say I did it, working at a big time radio station.  And the enabler, The Media Arts center.  A staff of caring individuals who prepared me and opened the doors for that second career!  Also worth mentioning, I still visit the school weekly, where a few of us create a Sports Show for All Noise Radio.  This experience, as the host of the show, continues to help me "fine tune" my skills as well helps me stay in-touch with the staff and students at the school.
 
Ed Billick
Sports Reporter WBT Charlotte
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2016 Jana

Jana Angel

Jana Angel is a professional spokesperson, Producer, and television host that specializes brand storytelling and video production. She is currently the co-host of river city live on news4jax with previous work at Living Local on Fox 29 and Trending Today on fox business. Jana began her career at The Media Arts Center!
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041923 Ashley Stroehlein-12

Ashley Stroehlein

Ashley Stroehlein currently works at NBC Charlotte as a sports anchor and reporter. Stro also joins ESPN'S coverage of college football as a sideline reporter. Ashley also hosts Facebook and Instagram lives for both NBC Charlotte and select NASCAR tracks. Previously, Ashley worked for NFL Network’s coverage of Conference USA as a sideline reporter. Additionally, she served as the Charlotte Knights and Charlotte Checkers In-Game Host and a NASCAR Pit-Reporter for Bristol Motor Speedway's Cup, Xfinity and Truck Series Races. CBS Radio's KISS 95.1 as a morning show producer and as an entertainment reporter for K 104.7. Ashley began her career at The Media Arts Center!

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Jennifer Flynn

 

The Media Arts Center offers the kind of experience you wish lasted forever, the kind that makes you challenge yourself in ways you never expected!!  Not only did I meet the most interesting people but I also felt like I was one too.  I think I've never been so inspired!

As a young adult I wanted nothing more than to be the next Erin Andrews.  I wanted to work for ESPN!  I loved sports, why not get paid to talk about it and interview the players!  I had looked into The Media Arts Center for probably a good two years before going in for a tour!  From the minute I walked through the front door, I knew that is where I belonged and wished I had gotten the courage to walk through those doors sooner!

I learned everything from Radio to TV to Social Media and building my own website and so much more.  I felt confident by the time I graduated I would have a job in TV.  I wasn’t sure what that would be at first because I grew to love it all because, learning from professionals with-in the industry gave me up-to-date knowledge and the hands on experience.  The time I spent in the “studio” learning the cameras, audio, prompter, and switcher gave me even more knowledge to know I could add this to my resume for my internship.  Not long (within 6 months of graduating the classroom part of school and applying for internship) I started my internship with FOX NEWS RISING at WCCB (Fox affiliate in Charlotte).  After my internship was over they hired me to work on the FOX 10:00 evening News at WCCB.  Shortly after I began freelance work at my ultimate dream place ESPNU.  I worked as a freelancer there for a short 6 months before they offered me a sweet deal to come on as an employee.  I have been an employee of the DISNEY COMPANY at ESPN since Feb.

I could never show enough gratitude to the my Directors, the professionals, graduates and my classmates at The Media Arts Center for changing my life forever!

I am living the dream!   

Jennifer Flynn

Motion Graphics Controller

ESPN Charlotte

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Amber Helms

 
I looked into The Media Arts Center after seeing a commercial on TV. I immediately grabbed my laptop and looked up the website. After researching for a few minutes, I signed up online to receive more information. The day of the open house, was an amazing experience. I applied and was soon accepted.  I learned everything from how to properly write a new story, to how to edit both video and TV.  After graduation I was lucky enough to be chosen to work for Newsweek and The Daily Beast during the Democratic National Convention here in Charlotte.
 
Amber Helms
Entertainer / Host
Campaign Strategist 
Charlotte, North Carolina
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sammi jo

Sammi Jo Francis

 
I did some research prior to graduation from UNCC and actually sat down with the The Media Arts Center Charlotte campus. I went to a studio tour, really enjoyed the TV aspects and left excited about my future there.  Once I started, I fell in love with the industry instead of just the idea of it. Let me explain, the hard work that it took to produce a TV package or radio show was absolutely worth it. I would stay late to do a podcast that later turned into a Youtube show. I couldn't get enough. Radio was intoxicating to me-- and the television side was all I had dreamt it up to be. More than hearing my voice on a radio bit or seeing my face on camera, was honing my skills in production. I loved being able to shoot, script, edit and polish for a finished product. I wanted to know it all, I was a media sponge. I learned so much while I was there - the ins and outs are what I came to learn and exactly what I left knowing all about. These skills continue to grow each time I shoot and produce... which is often because I'm a sports reporter and producer for WBTV- a local Charlotte affiliate. I was always encouraged to be creative and try everything at the school, and I still use the campus to update my demo and create other projects. It's true what they say about school, you'll get as much out of it as you're willing to put into it and I have no doubt  that The Media Arts Center was the right choice for me and anybody serious about this field. The work isn't easy but man, it's fun and 100% rewarding. 
 
Hope this helps, 
Sammi Jo Francis
WBTV On Your Side Sports 
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From the first day at The Media Arts Center, my classmates and I were immersed in hands on training in all areas of broadcasting. I was taught on-air techniques, production skills, and even computer training on the newest software. The instructors were amazing as well. All Media Arts Center instructors work professionally in the fields they teach. The school prepared me to fully be successful in radio by the time I graduated.

Upon graduation, I developed a sports podcast called The Sports Buffett, which I still do. The show allows me to continue to hone my talents, and stay current with the ever changing technologies of the broadcast industry. I also developed my own website to showcase my work, and The Media Arts center taught me that too! 

Currently, I have developed two podcast, The Sports Buffett and a auto racing show called Red Dirt Road. Red Dirt Road is a product of my first paying job in broadcasting. I am the speedway announcer at Cherokee Speedway in Gaffney, SC, a procured the position through a lead that the school sent me. I am also currently doing an internship with CBS Radio Charlotte.

In closing The Media Arts Center has given me the opportunity to obtain my dream, the work has come from me, but if you are willing to work and work hard and want it bad enough, they can help you make your dream come true as well.          

Stewart Davis

Sports Host and Racetrack Announcer

Charlotte, North Carolina

 
 
I've wanted to be in radio since I was 9 years old.  I can't tell you how long that actually was without revealing my true age, but think parachute pants and jelly shoes.  For the many years that followed the  dream continued to grow, until I toured a broadcasting school in my early 20's.  The excitement wasn't there; the passion wasn't flowing from the staff, the dated textbooks in the drab classroom showed no promise of knowledge or real experience.   I abandoned the dream for years thinking that what I had already seen was my only option.  One internet search proved my wrong.  I discovered The Media Arts Center in Charlotte and decided to  take the chance.  One 5 hour car ride and campus tour later, I knew I had found my future! The staff  warmly greeted me and instantly made me feel welcome.  They showed me all the equipment that was available for students to use freely.  Being a hands-on learner this was a dream come true!  The fact that my tour guide had himself been in broadcasting for years and had some of the most AMAZING stories to share from the field.  I knew immediately that this is where I needed to be! From the first day of class to the last, there was never a moment that I felt was irrelevant to my new career.  Every class, project, presentation, and workshop left me feeling like I was walking away with a new and useful skill.  My instructors knew what they were talking about because they had been there, in the studio, behind the mic, in front of the camera, reporting the stories, and producing the shows!  Graduation day came and I was confident to begin my job search.  The Media Arts Center had given not only the skills to do an amazing job, but also how to market myself.  Thanks to the seminars on resume building, interviewing, and creating a powerful demo, I am now approaching my 2 year anniversary in Tucson, AZ that has been the stepping stone for many big names in radio and entertainment.  Being able to run a board, provide compelling breaks on-air, produce quality audio, and be relevant and present in the social media scene has made me a valuable part of the station, and I owe that all to the media Arts Center! I am honored to say that I am a graduate!    
 
 
Stacy Gantt
“Carolina”
92.1 & 101.3/ KFMA