Peekskill Extension Center Faculty
Susan Wright

Susan Wright is a part time Adjunct Instructor at Westchester Community College. She also teaches music in the Brewster Central School District. Susan has taught at the Peekskill Extension Center since Spring 2002, teaching Recording Engineering, Intro to Audio, Music Theory, and Music Appreciation. Her approach to teaching is centered on students taking an active role in their learning experience. With technology-based classes she gives students the hands-on skills with music recording and manipulation equipment in order to allow each student to learn how to create their own music. Susan endeavors to make music come alive for her Theory and Appreciation students by using relevant examples and exercises. She believes that the study of every aspect of music can become a lifelong learning experience for every aspiring musician (or just plain music lover) as it is for her.

After graduation from S.U.N.Y. Fredonia with a Tonemeister (Sound Recording) degree, Susan worked in New York City in the music industry as a recording engineer. She has earned a gold record for recording De La Soul’s debut album “Three Feet High and Rising” and worked for diverse clients such as CBS, Channel 13, Nickelodeon, Tommy Boy Records, Sony Music, and many others. Susan engineered in numerous  recording studios including The Hit Factory, 39^th Street Music, Calliope Studios, Noise NY, and Passport Studios. She recorded music albums, film and TV scores, soundtracks for museum installations (including the museum on Ellis Island) and jingles. She also did live sound at S.O.B.’s, Spiral, and The Knitting Factory, and did sound design for numerous Broadway and off-Broadway productions including the New Jersey Shakespeare Festival. Susan even got to play her beloved accordion in an off-Broadway play (an experience that was never repeated). She is most proud of the vast array of musicians and musical styles she worked with in the course of her career: anything from hip hop to pop to heavy metal to folk to classical to jazz.

Susan received her Master’s Degree in Music Education from Lehman College. She enjoys teaching music at Westchester Community College and hopes that all her students finish her classes with the tools to create and enjoy music.

Back