FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Expression College for Digital Arts and Game Audio Network Guild Announce Second $10,000 Interactive Audio Scholarship Winner

EMERYVILLE, CA – MAY 29, 2007 – Expression College for Digital Arts, the premier school of its kind in the United States, in conjunction with the Game Audio Network Guild (G.A.N.G.), a non-profit organization established to promote excellence in interactive audio, today announced Ryan John as the winner of the second G.A.N.G. Interactive Audio Scholarship toward a Bachelor of Applied Science degree program for game audio studies. 

John grew up in a family of four in England and moved to the Boston when he was 11 years old.  Ryan’s father gave him his first guitar on his seventh birthday and his interest in music escalated from there.  John has been playing in bands since he was 13 years old – from garage acts to touring bands. 

“Music was my life and I intended to pursue a career as a performing musician,” said Ryan John.  “I also started recording around age 13, starting with an EP for my first band.  It was a terrible album, but it was a springboard to an intimate interest in audio engineering.”

John submitted for the G.A.N.G. Interactive Audio Scholarship because he feels tat he has a slightly different perspective of the potential of game audio.  John’s submission focused on the hope that others could realize the cognitive advancements possible through use of certain audio themes in gaming.  John’s main focus is production of studio performances and he’d ultimately like to unveil a radically new concept in audio interactivity.

“Receiving this scholarship from Expression College and G.A.N.G has reinforced confidence in my decision to pursue a career in audio production.  It’s quite phenomenal to have such support for committed audio educators and professionals,” adds John.

Outside of school, John does a lot of mixing projects for artists.  He’s currently working on mixing an album with the band The Down Lowe, as well as some tracks with the band Dgiin.  John is also starting full production for Devil’s Walk in June. 

“We’re happy to help Ryan realize, and hopefully expand his dreams with this scholarship.  Ryan has a lot of compelling ideas for interactive sound and we look forward to seeing him continue to develop his talent in our Sound Arts program,” said Spencer Nilsen, president and creative director, Expression College for Digital Arts.

“We’re proud to award Ryan our second Interactive Audio Scholarship,” said Paul Lipson, G.A.N.G president.  “It’s important to provide opportunities for students to realize their dreams.  This scholarship is just one of the many opportunities G.A.N.G. offers to the students, professionals and other interactive audio industry players.  We’ll continue to seek out new possibilities and help pave the way for a new generation of talent.”

Essay submissions were judged on the following criteria:  originality and innovation; knowledge of video games; passion and dedication shown toward the field of game audio; organization and skill in presentation of thoughts; and language skills and the use of grammar.

The G.A.N.G. Scholarship Program is administered by the G.A.N.G. Education Committee and Executive Committees:

Executive Committee (Officers)

- Tommy Tallarico - Founder/CEO/Chairman
- Paul Lipson - President
- Michelle Sorger - Vice President

Education Committee

- Paul Lipson and Alexander Brandon - Co-Chairs
- Michelle Sorger - Vice Chair
- Shiloh Hobel - Advisor
- Chance Thomas - Advisor
- Clint Bajakian - Advisor
- Bob Rice - Advisor
- Jack Wall - Advisor

About G.A.N.G.
The Game Audio Network Guild (G.A.N.G.) is a non-profit organization established to educate the masses in regards to interactive audio by providing information, instruction, resources, guidance and enlightenment not only to its members, but to content providers and listeners throughout the world. G.A.N.G. empowers its members by establishing resources for education, business, technical issues, community, publicity and recognition. G.A.N.G. also supports career development for aspiring game audio professionals, publishers, developers and students. 

About Expression College for Digital Arts
Founded in 1999, Expression is a unique digital arts college. Expression College for Digital Arts teaches and grants Bachelor degrees in three programs: Sound Arts, Animation and Visual Effects and Motion Graphic Design. Expression utilizes a professional accelerated program and students live and learn in the culture of digital arts for approximately 2.5 years. Each class is limited to a small number of students to insure excellent hands-on learning and the student-to-computer ratio is one-to-one. Students are taught by and work with the best practitioners and equipment that the industry can offer. Expression’s close ties to top industry professionals provide students with real-world client projects, mentorship and internship opportunities and a top-rated career development track that has resulted in an exceptionally high placement rate for graduates. When graduates leave their Expression family behind, they are prepared to assume sought-after jobs in Silicon Valley, Hollywood, and other art and high technology centers around the world. Expression College is accredited by the Accrediting Commission for Career Schools and Colleges of Technology, (ACCSCT).

Expression College for Digital Arts’ campus is located in an imagination-inspiring 96,000-square-foot building, at 6601 Shellmound St. in Emeryville, Calif., just across the Bay Bridge from San Francisco. For more information, please visit Expression’s Website at: www.expression.edu.