Women in Pro Audio: Valerie Gard Women in Pro Audio: Valerie Gard...
This month’s Women in Pro Audio features Valerie Gard, a standout FOH and System Engineer whose work spans continents and contexts.
Valerie, a nomadic freelance audio engineer originally from Russia, has spent over a decade cultivating a unique perspective on the industry. Dividing her professional life between Dubai’s corporate events and Germany’s summer festivals, she has built expertise across diverse audio environments. This dual career path gives her a unique perspective on the industry’s technical and cultural dimensions.
“I’ve been in the industry for over ten years, working on everything from festivals and corporate events to arena shows and large-scale productions. I’m deeply passionate about all things related to audio technology and love diving into the technical and creative challenges that come with this field.”
Valerie embraces the freelance life because it allows her to thrive on versatility—adapting skills across different venues, genres, and production scales while pushing the boundaries of audio technology.
A Passion for Audio
What sets Valerie apart is her unique journey from opera to audio engineering. “I’ve always been a musician at heart. I started as a professional opera singer, studying at the conservatory. But at some point, I realized I wanted more than just performing music. I was fascinated by technology from a young age—I used to break and fix computers just for fun. That curiosity, combined with my love for music, naturally led me to sound engineering.”
Valerie’s transition from studio to live sound was driven by pure passion. “But the energy and thrill of live sound drew me in,” she says. “Live sound engineering became my passion because it combines music and tech while giving me the adrenaline rush of live performance. Today, I am fortunate to be doing what I love—mixing, building systems, and working with amazing artists and crews worldwide.”
Starting Out and Overcoming Challenges
The path wasn’t always smooth for Valerie. “I started as a studio sound engineer but soon transitioned into live sound, which felt like the perfect fit for me. The journey wasn’t easy—it required constant learning and pushing my limits. Live sound is a physically demanding profession, so staying healthy and energetic has always been a priority.”
“The more gigs you do, the less it happens, but there are always moments when doubt creeps in—especially when working under intense pressure or dealing with strong personalities and egos in high-stakes environments. Even small comments can get under your skin when you’re tired, under time constraints, and managing multiple moving parts.”
Unique Challenges for Women in Pro Audio
As a woman in a male-dominated field, Valerie faced distinct obstacles. “When I started ten years ago, there were very few women in live sound, and I lacked role models. This made it difficult to visualize my path forward, but I stayed focused on my passion and worked hard to improve every day. In the early stages, the lack of support and visibility for women in audio could feel discouraging, especially when dealing with egos and skepticism. Over time, I realized I didn’t need to prove myself by matching men physically—I could succeed by working smarter and playing to my strengths. Women bring a unique perspective to this field, and it’s important to embrace that.”
She identifies several barriers to women entering the field: “There’s the perception that live sound is overly physical—carrying heavy boxes and setting up large equipment. While there is a physical element, modern technology has minimized much of this. Live sound is more about using your brain than brute strength. Breaking down these outdated stereotypes is key to attracting more women to the field.”
Resources for Career Growth
Eager to help others climb the pro audio ladder, Valerie generously shares her favorite resources for career advancement. “There are so many learning opportunities in this industry if you know where to look. Personally, I’m a fan of Merlijn van Veen’s work—his articles and system calculators are invaluable for understanding audio system design. And, of course, Bob McCarthy’s book, Sound Systems: Design and Optimization, is often considered the ‘Sound Engineer’s Bible.’ It’s an essential read for anyone serious about system design and tuning.”
She also suggests attending seminars and taking advantage of online learning materials. “Even brand-specific ones provide great insights into physics and system design, which are universally useful. The pandemic also brought a silver lining: an explosion of online learning materials. Many webinars, live streams, and online courses are still available, covering everything from basic audio principles to advanced techniques.”
Ultimately, Valerie emphasizes the importance of hands-on experience. “You can read all the books and attend all the seminars, but until you practice and apply that knowledge, it won’t stick. Shadowing experienced engineers, analyzing their show files, and asking questions are all incredibly valuable. And most importantly, every gig is a learning opportunity. Even the simplest jobs have something to teach you—stay curious and challenge yourself.”
Changes and Advice for Women in Pro Audio
Valerie is a passionate advocate for the unsung heroes of live events—the crew members working tirelessly behind the scenes. “As much as I love this industry,” she shares, “one thing I would change is how crew members—especially in live sound—are often undervalued and overworked. Because we’re backstage, we can seem invisible, even though we’re a crucial part of every production. Unfortunately, it’s common for management or organizers to neglect crew welfare, with long shifts, poor pay, and a lack of appreciation being justified by the idea that ‘you love your job.’ Passion is no excuse for unfair working conditions.”
Valerie implores the industry to adopt fairer rates, reasonable working hours, and care for crew members’ well-being. “Even those working with the biggest names in the industry often face these issues, and it needs to change. Ultimately, live sound professionals deserve to be visible, respected, and fairly compensated for the essential work they do.”
Valerie offers this advice for women starting out in the industry: “Never stop learning. Stay curious, ask questions, and take every opportunity to grow. But also, learn to read the room—balance asking questions with showing initiative. Choose who you work with carefully. Avoid toxic environments and prioritize working with teams that support you.”
One remark from an older colleague resonated with Valerie: “The best thing about this job is that every concert ends.” This simple truth has stuck with her throughout her career, reminding her that every gig, good or bad, is temporary. “Celebrate the good ones, learn from the bad ones, and keep moving forward.”
Top Skills for Women in Pro Audio
Valerie identifies three key skills for success in the industry: perseverance, communication, and logical thinking. “Perseverance—this industry can be tough, and resilience will get you through. Communication—clear and effective communication is crucial. It solves problems, builds relationships, and ensures smooth operations. Logical Thinking—the ability to think logically and analyze situations is invaluable. Whether troubleshooting or designing a system, connecting the dots is key to success.”
Favorite Shows and Events
Valerie’s career highlights read like a dream tour diary. Her recent triumph was the Arabian Gulf Cup opening ceremony in Kuwait, managing sound for a 50,000-capacity stadium. “It was a huge technical undertaking, and every moment felt like a thrilling exploration of new technology,” she notes.
She also cherishes her work with the Firdaus Orchestra, “the first all-female orchestra in the UAE, led by the legendary A. R. Rahman. Being part of their journey and supporting such a groundbreaking initiative was a proud moment for me.”
“Expo 2020 Dubai was another unforgettable experience. I worked on the Jubilee Stage, which hosted a wide range of performances over six months. Working with so many different acts and fine-tuning every detail over an extended period was incredibly rewarding. These productions often involve cutting-edge technology and intricate coordination, which makes them a dream for any audio professional.”
Troubleshooting
In live sound, adaptability is everything. Valerie shares a telling story: “I once had a perfect PA design—spent an entire day setting it up, tuning it, and ensuring everything was flawless. Then, after all the work was done and I was already exhausted, the client showed up and casually mentioned, ‘Oh, actually, we forgot we have a catwalk in the middle. You need to move all your subwoofers.’ And, of course, it had to happen in the next half an hour.”
She recalls another unexpected challenge: “I was hired for what was supposed to be a simple TED Talk—just a straightforward speaking event. Easy gig, right? Well, that’s what I thought… until two full orchestras and a band showed up. We obviously didn’t have the microphones, crew, or patching setup for that kind of production, but we had to make it work.”
The Love of Live Sound and Hopes for the Future
Valerie’s passion for her craft is contagious. “I love the variety and challenge of live sound. Every day is different, and every gig brings something new to learn and solve. I also love meeting people from all over the world—I probably have friends on every continent now. The travel, the access to incredible venues, and working with the latest technology are all amazing, but what I love most is the responsibility. I’m the one making sure thousands of people experience great sound.”
Looking ahead, she envisions an industry that continues to evolve technologically while becoming more inclusive. “I hope to see a future where live events continue to evolve, both technologically and in terms of industry standards. We are seeing rapid advancements in audio technology, networking, and automation, making productions more efficient and immersive. I’d love to see even smarter, more integrated systems that allow us to push the boundaries of what’s possible in live sound—while also making our jobs easier and more streamlined.”
“Ultimately, I hope live events continue to be what they’ve always been—a source of energy, emotion, and unforgettable experiences for both audiences and those of us working behind the scenes.
The feeling of being part of something larger than yourself, shaping the way thousands of people experience a moment in time, is something that will never get old.”
To stay in touch with Valerie, you can find her on Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, and her website.
Read last month’s Women in Pro Audio interview here.