Gracie, originally from Jacksonville, Florida, and now based in Orlando, wears many hats in her career. \u201cWhile most of my work is based in corporate live events, I am currently on my first tour with Hans Zimmer as the stage technician,\u201d she explains. Her role includes wiring and miking instruments, troubleshooting stage inputs, and supporting the monitor world.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Once the tour concludes, she will return to the corporate world, where she thrives as an A2. \u201cThe role requires a wide range of technical skill and experience to be great, as you are the coms, RF, and PA tech all wrapped into one,\u201d she notes. \u201cIt is by far my favorite position as I like to be the person an A1 can rely on if there is ever a problem.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Gracie didn\u2019t always envision a career in pro audio. \u201cI never seriously considered a career in this industry until I was about 19 years old. Growing up, I\u2019d see \u201croadies\u201d bustling around stages at concerts and festivals like Warped Tour and thought it looked interesting, but I never really understood what it took to be in that role. While in college, I got a seasonal sales job at my local Guitar Center and was fortunate to be kept on after the holidays. That\u2019s when I noticed a guy tucked away in a small corner of the store, tinkering with instruments. I soon learned he was the guitar tech and had been doing that job for nearly 20 years.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Gracie began talking to him daily, asking about what he was fixing and how he got into the profession. \u201cHe shared incredible stories of touring with bands as their guitar tech, and that\u2019s when my interest became serious. I\u2019ve loved music since I was 12, but I also wanted a career that allowed me to develop technical skills.\u201d Through that job, Gracie made friends with people in local bands and started seeing others running soundboards at bars.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cIt made me think, \u2018Maybe that\u2019s something I could do too.\u2019 Everything about guitars and sound completely captivated me, sparking an insatiable need to learn. About a year later, I was hired to work as a guitar tech alongside him, and over the next three years, I built my first audio skills by fixing instruments and creating pedals and amps.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Her journey hasn\u2019t been without its hurdles. \u201cIn the beginning, I struggled to understand that it is impossible for me to learn everything,\u201d she admits. \u201cI also faced assumptions about my inexperience due to my age, which felt exaggerated.\u201d Despite these challenges, Gracie persevered, focusing on developing her skills and reputation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Gracie is candid about the unique challenges she faces as a woman in the industry. \u201cI sometimes feel like I have to do more to be seen at the same level as a male counterpart with the same experience,\u201d she shares. \u201cIt\u2019s exhausting trying to win over people who have already made up their minds about you.\u201d Yet, Gracie chooses to focus on personal growth. \u201cI try to be better than the version of myself I was yesterday and maintain the same level of integrity in all of my work.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Another frustrating aspect is the frequent assumption that she isn\u2019t part of the audio team. \u201cIt\u2019s assumed I\u2019m everything from a producer to a lighting tech, but rarely audio,\u201d she says. \u201cEven when I wear a manufacturer shirt, it still happens.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Speaking of people not believing when someone is a part of the audio team, Gracie recounts a moment when her role was truly questioned, like most women in pro audio. \u201cI haven\u2019t had many crazy experiences, but one moment does stand out. I was working as the RF coordinator on a corporate gig and had finished my coordination. Someone reported an issue with one RF channel late on the second show day. On my way to check it out, I started scanning with a spectrum analyzer to see if another transmitter from a separate event had popped up without my knowledge.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n She continues, \u201cAs I walked toward the breakout room with the issue, a security guard stopped me and asked what I was doing. I explained that I was working the event as an AV technician, but he didn\u2019t believe me. Instead, he called down to his security office, claiming I had “penetrative hacking equipment.” To be fair, the RF Explorer I was using had a long antenna, and I hadn\u2019t received my event badge yet.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cThe guard then escorted me across the property to the security office. As we walked, I tried to explain what the RF Explorer was, but he seemed convinced I was trying to sabotage the event\u2014or the hotel itself. When we finally arrived, I explained my role at the event and demonstrated the RF Explorer to his boss. His boss simply chuckled and let me go. Needless to say, I was relieved!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Gracie believes the lack of women in pro audio stems from societal norms established early in life. \u201cWe need to foster the belief that women can take on any challenge they desire,\u201d she emphasizes. For her, small, consistent actions can create a ripple effect, encouraging more women to pursue careers in STEM fields.<\/p>\n\n\n\n She also addresses industry gatekeeping, which she describes as a significant barrier to growth. \u201cSome experienced professionals withhold knowledge and opportunities, which takes away the power to decide for ourselves,\u201d she says. \u201cLearning from experience is critical for growth.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cSome of my favorite productions include the Hans Zimmer Live<\/a><\/em> tour, a corporate show for SAP, and VIP parties at Super Bowl 57 and 58. What made these productions so memorable for me came down to two key factors: the people and personal growth.\u201d Gracie elaborates, \u201cThe teams I worked with and the friendships I built during these events made the job enjoyable and easier. On top of that, the gear deployment for these productions was more complex than usual, presenting new challenges that were both exciting and rewarding to tackle.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n When it comes to elevating her career growth, Gracie mentions, \u201cI take a practical approach by attending classes and earning certifications from manufacturers. I also make it a point to seek out knowledge and insights from colleagues whenever possible. That said, my most valuable learning experiences come from heavy repetition and, surprisingly, from the mistakes I make. Mistakes never feel good at the moment, but for me, they are the most powerful learning tools, pushing me to improve and grow in ways nothing else can.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Gracie encourages women entering the industry to focus on their own journey. \u201cIt\u2019s easy to compare yourself to others, but it creates a negative feeling that will hurt you,\u201d she advises. \u201cSurround yourself with honest people with whom you share mutual respect, and your career will become so much more fulfilling.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n One piece of advice that resonated with her is, \u201cDo not worry if you ever break anything or make a mistake. We\u2019re techs, and we can fix it.\u201d This wisdom reassures her in challenging moments, reinforcing the importance of resilience and collaboration<\/p>\n\n\n\n When asked why Gracie does her job, she says, \u201cI\u2019m deeply passionate about audio science. It\u2019s endlessly fascinating, and I can easily lose hours watching videos, reading manuals, or diving into books about the physics of sound. But as much as I love the technical side, it\u2019s the incredible people I\u2019ve worked with who truly make this field rewarding.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n This past May, during a corporate show for SAP, Gracie experienced a full-circle moment that captured this balance of passion and connection. \u201cThree new hires shadowed me, and it struck me how, just two years earlier, I was in their position\u2014new to the industry, unsure of my footing, and eager to learn. That moment allowed me to reflect on how far I\u2019ve come and appreciate the mentors and colleagues who have guided me along the way.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cAmong those I\u2019m most grateful for are three key people. First, my partner, whose unwavering support has been a cornerstone of my journey. They\u2019ve been patient and understanding through all the times I\u2019ve been away from home, pursuing opportunities to grow and advance in my career.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Gracie continues, \u201cNext is Dean Garrow, my first mentor in adulthood, who taught me everything I know about guitars. His belief in my abilities built my confidence and helped me see that I could accomplish anything. I could always rely on him for thoughtful advice, and he never hesitated to offer the guidance I needed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cFinally, I want to thank Brenden Edwards, my first mentor in live sound. Brenden is one of the smartest audio engineers I\u2019ve ever met. He never sugarcoated reality or overcomplicated things, making him not just a great teacher but also a trusted friend. His insights and honesty have been invaluable to my growth.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Together, these people and experiences have shaped Gracie\u2019s career and fueled her passion for audio. \u201cTheir support and guidance remind me why I love what I do and inspire me to keep growing, both technically and personally.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Follow Gracie\u2019s adventures on Instagram<\/a> or connect with her on LinkedIn<\/a> to learn more about her incredible work and what she\u2019s doing next.<\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/a>Read last month’s Women in Pro Audio interview here<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" In our latest Women in Pro Audio installment, L-Acoustics got to interview Gracie Finch, a fresh face who in the pro audio scene.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":7,"featured_media":245135,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"news_tags":"","footnotes":""},"news-tag":[],"class_list":["post-512592","story","type-story","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\n![\"\"](\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/Gracie-Finch-4_web-768x1024.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n<\/a>Finding Her Path to Professional Sound<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
<\/a>Navigating Gender Bias in Pro Audio<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
<\/a>Blending In<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
![\"\"](\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/Gracie-Finch-2-1024x662.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\nAdvocating for Change for Women in Pro Audio<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
<\/a>Favorite Shows<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
<\/a>Inspiring Advice for Future Generations<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
![\"\"](\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/Gracie-Drum-kit-1-834x1024.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n<\/a>Why She Does It<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
A Supportive Community<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
![\"\"](\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/Gracie-Finch-3_football-1024x768.jpg\")
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