JZ Sound Design

Jon Zielke.

I am currently a junior at Washington University in St. Louis studying computational biology and bioinformatics, and I hail from Inver Grove Heights, Minnesota. In my free time when I'm not busy with school work, I love to design sound for theater. I started in sound before high school volunteering at my church, and I was hooked immediately. I continued with it in high school where I started working specifically in the theatrical environment. I went to a small high shool and as a result it was often either just myself or one other person working in the sound department for any given show. I am grateful for all of the experience I gained through working a variety of different jobs ranging from designer to engineer to technician working during the shows. Now at Washington University I have filled mostly a design role for shows, and as a result I have grown significantly in my ability to craft great sound designs.

My philosophy of sound design always centers around the telling of the story on stage. Of course, each show varies wildly in this regard, and so too does the needs of its soundscape. I believe that sound should avoid being the focus, while at the same time always being present in some way, shape or form - even in the form of silence. Sound can be a powerful tool to emphasize certain moments and captivate an audience without them even realizing it, and I strive to craft soundscapes which help bring the story to life.

Between theater shows I also serve as a freelance live sound engineer / FOH technician for small bands, musicians, and houses of worship in the greater Twin Cities and St. Louis metro areas.