New MWI Faculty: Matt Blakely and Scott McLaughlin

Matt Blakely has been in the audio production business since 1996, and has held many roles. Matt has toured professionally as a FOH, Monitor and System Engineer as well as a Production manager. He is one of the only CVE (Certified V-dosc Engineers) in the country, a distinction only held by 2 others. Matt has an extensive and practical knowledge of almost all modern day professional PA systems used throughout the world. He is currently touring with Billy Talent and Three Days Grace, but has also toured with such artists as Avril Lavigne, Bruce Springsteen, Slayer, Joe Satriani, Blue Rodeo, Styx and many others. When Matt is not touring his local work includes festivals, political conventions and corporate events such as Edge Fest, Rock the Park, Reach for the Rainbow, HMV Music Conference and The Dalai Lama national address.

A native of Waterloo, Ontario, Scott McLaughlin is a graduate of Carleton University. After completing his studies at Carleton, Scott joined Wall Sound & Lighting in Ottawa in 1992, where he eventually assumed the title of lighting manager two years later.

Scott moved back to the Waterloo region in 1997 to begin work with Sherwood Systems, and a year later, began work on the Jacksoul tour throughout 1998 and ’99.

In the years since, Scott has worked as a lighting designer for artists such as Finger Eleven, Nelly Furtado, David Usher, Our Lady Peace, and Diana Krall.

Currently, Scott works as a freelance lighting tech for Christie Lites, Sherwood Systems, and Metalworks Production Group. Scott teaches Lighting Principles at Metalworks Institute.