Ivo Ivanov, Bulgarian-Born Sound Artist Wins Prestigious Award

August 23, 2006 (Emeryville, CA)—Expression College for Digital Arts, an accredited college that prepares students for careers in entertainment technology, and the Game Audio Network Guild (G.A.N.G), a non-profit guild that promotes excellence in interactive audio, today announced one of two scholarship winners for game audio studies as part of the exclusive program partnership between G.A.N.G. and Expression College.  A joint panel of Expression College faculty members and G.A.N.G. officers selected Ivo Ivanov as a recipient based on his essay, audio submissions and financial need. The scholarship is awarded to G.A.N.G members who want to earn a Bachelor’s Degree with a concentration in game audio.

“The partnership with G.A.N.G advances our joint mission of professional development opportunities for aspiring game audio professionals,” said Paul Lipson, Expression College Dean of Education and G.A.N.G Senior Director and Board Member. “It’s exciting to be able to impact the growth and development of audio careers within the interactive entertainment industry in such a profound way.”

Ivanov, who escaped Bulgaria as a child and saved money for tuition at Expression by working for several years as a manager at Guitar Center, wrote in his essay that he plans to pursue a professional career in post production and sound design in the video and game industries. “I feel that Ex’pression is giving me all of the necessary resources I need in order to bring this goal into fruition,” said Ivanov. He started as a classical pianist, moved to the guitar, and then worked as an audio engineer for a rock band that toured the nation.

Spencer Nilsen, Creative Director at Ex’pression College said about the scholarship winner, “Ivo embodies all the attributes we look for in a creative team member on any production – creativity, professionalism, integrity and above all, a positive attitude.  He has worked hard to maintain a balance between his technical abilities and his unique artistry.”

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.
www.audiogang.org.

About Expression College for Digital Arts
Founded in 1999, Expression is a unique, fully licensed digital arts college. Expression College for Digital Arts teaches and grants Bachelor degrees in three programs: Sound Arts; Animation & 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. When graduates leave their Expression, they are prepared to assume sought-after jobs in Silicon Valley, Hollywood, and other art and high technology centers around the world. Ex’pression 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 85,000-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.
For more information contact:

Maresa Danielsen
510.594.6934

Photo caption from left to right:
Bob Rice, Clint Bajakian, Paul Lipson, Tommy Tallarico, Ivo Ivanov, Shiloh Hobel, Kirk Engel and Spencer Nilsen