Kurt Kohnen

Mr. Kohnen is an Emmy Award winning audio engineer and composer with nearly two decades in the industry. He is an adjunct professor of music and recording arts, sound designer, music producer and performing artist. He has earned a bachelor's degree in Communications and Media Management from San Diego State University, and is currently working on a masters degree in music technology from Southern Utah University. Mr. Kohnen has professional experience in most disciplines of audio engineering: broadcast audio: TV and radio, studio recording, live audio, mixing and mastering music, scoring films, and producing records.

As lead audio engineer and production manager at KPBS (PBS/NPR affiliate), he manages (4) broadcast recording studios, and has served as project lead on a variety of productions ranging from Yo Yo Ma’s Silk Road Ensemble and live Opera broadcasts to the 2008 Presidential Conventions. In recent years he has become a content producer and co-creator for several TV, radio, and podcast programs including the Jason Mraz fundraising special, Parker Edison Project podcast, and the multimedia series KPBS Summer Music Series.

Mr. Kohnen owns and operates a music production company that provides custom music and sound design for film, TV, and podcasts. He is a composer and curator with a passion for using music to elevate a story. As a recording and performing artist he has been nominated for Best Hip Hop Album twice, and Best Jazz Album from the San Diego Music Awards. He specializes in electro-acoustic composition and performance using Ableton, Reason, and Pro-Tools, with emphasis on the hip hop and electronic music genres.

As an adjunct professor of music and recording arts at San Diego City College, his focus has been on music theory and music technology. Mr. Kohnen has developed curriculum to engage students, written grants to bolster the music program, and has honed his ability to communicate complex subject matter and passion for music and audio.