Millersville University's College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences received significant funding from two Play PA Live grant programs.
“Play PA Live is a nonprofit funded in part by the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development,†says Dr. Ieva Zake, dean of the College. “It focuses on supporting and advancing live music and music production throughout the state by funding venues, workforce development, performance facilities and organizations.â€
The first grant from the Venue Grant program “will support exciting lighting upgrades in Biemesderfer Concert Hall in the Winter Center, enhancing this premier venue's capacity to host the highest quality live performances,†says Zake.
The second grant from the Industry Support program will help fund several projects led by the College's faculty: the completion of the Atmos Dolby sound recording lab; training students on mental health awareness and first aid in the live event industry; professional industry certifications for students; and a summer career-preparation workshop for the region's high schoolers.
Adding Dolby Atmos to Millersville's existing recording studio aligns its music industry and entertainment technology programs with current industry standards, where platforms such as Apple Music, Amazon Music and Tidal increasingly prioritize immersive audio, according to Dr. Barry Atticks, professor of music industry. “This addition expands students' creative capabilities through 3D sound design for music, film and gaming,†he says, “and it strengthens career readiness by preparing students for workflows used by companies like Dolby Laboratories. It also enhances partnerships with industry leaders and elevates the University's reputation by positioning its facilities at the forefront of modern audio production.â€
Dr. Jennifer Jester, associate professor of music industry, will use the Play PA Live grant funding to train students in mental health awareness and first aid for the live event industry, recognizing that successful careers in entertainment require not only technical skills but also care for people. According to Jester, “This funding will help our students build the awareness, empathy and practical tools needed to support healthier, safer working environments in a demanding field.â€
Jester and Adam Boyer, assistant professor of entertainment technology and theatre, will help music industry and entertainment technology majors attain nationally and internationally recognized professional industry certifications, which will give them a stronger bridge from the classroom directly to the workforce. “This grant expands access to industry-recognized certifications that align directly with professional expectations in live entertainment,†says Boyer. “By integrating these credentials into the student experience, we are strengthening both technical skill development and safety awareness while preparing students to enter the workforce with confidence and credibility.â€
Finally, a significant amount of the Industry Support grant to the College of AHSS will go toward the summer workshop for high schoolers “Beyond the Console.†A residential week-long experience in June, the workshop will give high school students a real-life look at how modern music production comes alive on stage and in the recording studio.
Workshop participants will choose one of two pathways – the Studio Recording Experience or the Live Audio and Lighting Experience. These workshops are designed for students to gain hands-on experience in professional environments under the guidance of experienced professionals, according to Logan Ressler, director of the summer workshop. “Whether you're curious about what happens in a recording session or what it takes to run sound and lights for a live show, you'll leave this program with new skills and a clearer picture of the many paths into the recording, entertainment and live event industries,†he says.
Additional information on “Beyond the Console: Live Audio and Music Recording Workshopsâ€:
- June 14-20, 2026, at the Winter Center on Millersville's campus
- Delivered by Millersville University's faculty and staff and guest speakers from the industry
- Intended for high school juniors, seniors and recent graduates (ages 16 to18)
- Overnight with on-campus housing and meals
- Includes field trip experiences to area's music industry companies
- Heavily discounted tuition $250 thanks to the grant funding from Play PA Live
- Registration and website: https://www.millersville.edu/swahss/
“These two grants are a tremendous investment in our College's ability to prepare our students for professional success in the live event and music recording industry and to facilitate workforce preparation for high schoolers who are considering these career paths,†Zake says.
