Sound Recording & Technology Faculty | Media Studies & Production Faculty
Sound Recording & Technology Faculty
David Ivory
Director of Sound Recording and Music Technology
[email protected]
David Ivory, a Grammy-nominated and multi-platinum engineer and producer, has significantly
impacted the music industry by developing some of Philadelphia’s most notable artists
and selling millions of albums.
His career began at Sigma Sound-Philadelphia, where he recorded The Roots’ first
four albums, earning a Grammy nomination for “Things Fall Apart.” Ivory founded Dylanava
Studios in 2001, nurturing bands like Silvertide and Halestorm. A Recording Academy
member since 1992, he has held various leadership roles, including Philadelphia chapter
president and national trustee. Ivory has also contributed to music education, co-developing
Drexel University’s music industry program and designing MCCC’s state-of-the-art recording
studio. He continues to produce music and serves as Director of Sound Recording and
Music Technology at Montco.
Michael Kelly
Sound Recording and Music Technology Coordinator
[email protected]
Michael Kelly, Professor of Music and Sound Recording and Music Technology Program
Coordinator, began his musical career in 1985 in New York City, where he spent 25
years writing, recording, performing, and touring across North America and Europe.
He joined the music software company Voyetra-Turtle Beach Technologies, contributing
to music software testing, support and development and became the Marketing Communications
Manager. In 2003, he joined Arts Marketing Company DCM as an Account Executive, managing
the campaigns of the New York Philharmonic, Jazz at Lincoln Center, Cincinnati Symphony
Orchestra, Long Wharf Theater and Pacific Symphony Orchestra, with revenue projections
totaling $3.5 Million dollars. Joining the Community College of Philadelphia in 2006,
he was hired as chair of the Music Department and in 2008 joined Montco and co-authored
the SRT Degree Program. Kelly still tours extensively throughout North American with
“THE FEMMES OF ROCK,”: a state of the art live music and video experience opening
for Cheap Trick, Bad Company, Night Ranger, Lita Ford, Ted Nugent, and Kansas. The
band will perform with the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra in 2025 in Kelly’s hometown
of Buffalo, NY.
Howie Gordon
Sound Recording & Music Technology Assistant Professor
[email protected]
Howie Gordon has been a vibrant force in the Philadelphia music scene for over 35
years, recognized as a seasoned studio musician at prestigious recording studios like
Sigma Sound and Philadelphia International Records.
Since 2011, he has been a faculty member at Montgomery County Community College,
teaching audio production, digital music technology, synthesis and sound design, and
music theory, while also leading the college’s jazz ensemble. With over 30 years of
teaching experience, including a stint at Rowan University, Howie holds a Master’s
Degree in Jazz Piano Performance from the University of the Arts in Philadelphia,
specializing in composition and music technology. His achievements include the Steinway
Award for Outstanding Pianistic Ability and the National Academy of the Recording
Arts and Sciences Award for Excellence. Additionally, he performs regularly with his
original funk band, Package.
Louis Rieger
Sound Recording & Music Technology Probationary Lecturer
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Louis Rieger, founder of The High Street Music Company, has over 30 years of experience
in music education and audio production.
He has collaborated with artists like Eric Bazilian and DJ Jazzy Jeff and has worked
in various educational roles, including as an adjunct professor at The Hill School
and MCCC. Rieger holds degrees from Albright College and Immaculata University and
has produced for Rabbit Publishing and served as a talent scout for Sony Music. He
also hosted the radio show Speakeasy on WBZH, showcasing his commitment to fostering
musical talent.
Michael Lightkep
Sound Recording & Music Technology Probationary Lecturer
[email protected]
Since the early 1970s, Michael Lightkep has been involved in playing bass guitar and
brass instruments. His fascination with live sound equipment led him to become an
audio ‘tech geek.’
By the early 80s, he began working part-time as a live audio technician, transitioning
to full-time by the late 80s. Lightkep’s extensive experience includes audio mixing,
lighting design, stage and tour production, rigging, audio systems design, venue management,
artist management, pro audio sales, video and film production, and performing in bands
and stage acting. He has worked on national tours with renowned artists and in venues
ranging from 100 to 10,000 capacity over nearly 50 years in the live sound production
business.
Colin Foley
Sound Recording & Music Technology Probationary Lecturer
[email protected]
Colin Foley is an adjunct professor and department tutor in the Sound Recording and
Music Technology program at Montco. A proud graduate of the SRT program, he holds
a bachelor’s degree from Berklee College of Music and is pursuing a master’s degree.
Foley is deeply involved in the music industry as a sound engineer, producer, recording
artist, and educator, collaborating with artists across various genres and producing
his own music. He works as a sound engineer at Ivory Productions and in live sound
for several companies. Foley also has experience as a legal aide specializing in artist
management and entertainment law. Outside of his professional life, he is an avid
surfer and animal enthusiast who enjoys wearing tropical shirts.
Media Studies & Production Faculty
Yaniv Aronson
Mass Media & Sound Production Coordinator
[email protected]
Yaniv Aronson, a Montgomery County local from Blue Bell and Wissahickon High School
graduate, holds a BA in Film and Video from Penn State, an MFA in Film from Boston
University, a Doctorate in Education from Immaculata University, and is a Stanford
University Hollyhock Fellow.
He has Pennsylvania teaching certificates in Career and Technical Education, Media
Communications Technology, and English Language Arts. An award-winning documentary
filmmaker, Aronson won Best Director at the American International Film Festival for
“The Drowned Hogs” and has worked on shows for Sundance Channel, Travel Channel, Spike
TV, and Discovery Channel. Since 2008, he has taught at Montgomery County Community
College and is the Coordinator of the Mass Media Studies and Production program. Serving
as Mayor of Conshohocken Borough since 2018, he was named Pennsylvania Mayor of the
Year in 2023 and received the PA Governor’s Award for Local Government Excellence
in Community Engagement in 2022.
Chera Watson
Mass Media & Sound Production Assistant Professor
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Chera Watson, Assistant Professor of Mass Media Studies and Production, joined the
college in 2018 as a Faculty Diversity Fellow in Communication and became a Mass Media
Studies and Production Instructor in August 2019.
She primarily teaches courses such as Mass Media in Society, Mass Media Industries,
Ethics, Intro to Video Production, Capstone, and MSP electives, along with Public
Speaking courses at Montco. Chera holds a B.A. from Marist College and an M.A. from
West Chester University and is currently pursuing a PhD in Media and Communication
Studies. With a background in Video Production and Mass Media, she has worked as a
content editor for ESPN Networks and Comcast/NBC Universal and has experience in Technology
with Facebook and Instagram’s content platforms. Chera is passionate about education,
advocating for safe spaces for students, and enjoys spending time with family, attending
live music concerts, bowling, and traveling the world.
Jeff Asch
Mass Media & Sound Production Senior Lecturer
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Jeff Asch, Mass Media and Sound Production Lecturer, has been in Philadelphia media
for 45 years, serving as a Sports Anchor, Sports Reporter, and News Anchor for 24
years at KYW Newsradio Philadelphia.
He has also worked at WCAU-TV as a Sports Producer, Sports Anchor, and Sports Reporter,
and at WCAU-AM as a Sports Talk Show Host and Sports Producer. Asch co-hosted one
of the country’s first nationally syndicated sports talk shows and is currently the
Internal Public Address Announcer for the Philadelphia Eagles and does Public Address
work for Villanova University. He has been a Senior Adjunct Instructor at Montgomery
County Community College since 2000, advising the school’s radio and TV stations,
Executive Producing the “Montco News,” and was an Adjunct Professor at LaSalle University
for 21 years. Among his honors, he was inducted into the Philadelphia Jewish Sports
Hall of Fame in 2022, won the Philadelphia Sportswriters Association’s 2006 “Good
Guy of the Year” award, and earned JCC Sportsters’ “2000 Man of the Year.”
Stan Finegold
Mass Media & Sound Production Senior Lecturer
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Stan Finegold, Mass Media and Sound Production Lecturer, brings over three decades
of experience in the media production industry. For more than 25 years, he was president
and owner of a video and television production company, serving as creator and Executive
Producer of the PBS Foodways series, The Presidential Palate.
He produced commercial video products for major food brands, Western US ski resorts,
international healthcare publishers, and national construction companies. Stan authored
the book, Flowers, White House Style, for Simon & Schuster, and professional texts
for various industry organizations. He launched and managed a government and educational
cable station in Montgomery County, WTV, for 10 years, producing over 350 digital
programs. Stan holds a Master’s Degree in Communications from the S.I. Newhouse School
of Syracuse University.
Lindsay Levin
Mass Media & Sound Production Regular Lecturer
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Lindsay Levin has been an instructor at the College since 2014. She teaches numerous
classes and workshops and enjoys every minute. Levin is a co-advisor for the school’s
radio station, “Montco Radio.” Before becoming a professor at the College, Levin worked
at Yellowbook in King of Prussia as an Interactive Marketing Manager.
There she managed social media, email marketing, customer acquisition, customer retention
and loyalty programs as well as guided search engine marketing programs, partnerships
and affiliate campaigns to increase traffic and user loyalty. Prior to moving to Pennsylvania,
Levin worked in NYC for 6 years for People Magazine, AOL and Fox Sports Network in
numerous roles. She created and oversaw concepts, strategies and executions for custom,
buzz-worthy digital solutions for Fortune 500 companies including idea generation,
pitch development, approvals and post-sale overview including print, digital, event,
retail and more to maximize advertising partnerships. Levin currently lives in Lower
Gwynedd with her husband and three children.
Cherry Kivumbi
Communication Studies Probationary Lecturer
[email protected]
Cherry Kivumbi is a West Chester University graduate and multifaceted producer with
years of experience in radio and news broadcasting, podcast production, video production,
journalism, social media management and music production.
While working at multiple companies including WRAL News, 1490 WBCB radio and The
Inspirational Life Productions, Kivumbi has cultivated her passion for storytelling,
effective strategic planning and has demonstrated a keen eye for creating strong brand
awareness within each company she has been associated with. Subsequently, Kivumbi
has led sustainable expansion for 14 new and established media companies and school
organizations. As a firm believer in educating and mentoring, Kivumbi has overseen
12 different production teams and school organizations which fostered exponential
growth in members and associates, in addition to efficient media production and collaboration.
As her new chapter begins at Montgomery County Community College, Kivumbi is eager
to expand her knowledge and experience while also sharing her experience, as well.
Jeff Vernitsky
Communication Studies Probationary Lecturer
[email protected]
Jeff, an alumnus of Montgomery County Community College, holds a bachelor’s degree
in Digital Journalism from Penn State University. Throughout Jeff's 24-year career,
he has freelanced as a camera and Steadicam operator with Comcast CN8, PHL-17, and
various independent filmmakers in the Tri-state market.
Currently, at Upper Merion Township, Jeff serves as the Producer/Director for UMGA-TV,
facilitating the daily operations, producing PSAs and promotional videos for township
events, and producing the programs “Community Connections” and “Senior Insight.”
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