Thursday, March 28, 2024

Uncomplicated Success

By Minal Abhange

Peter Green found his calling after falling in love with music at a very early age.

“I enjoyed music so much I had my own gear at home. Not the best, compared to what I use now, but I remember I enjoyed practicing at home.”

By the time Peter was seven years old, his room was littered with musical instruments (guitars, drums and other recording gear).

“At an early stage of my life, I decided I wanted to pursue a career as a sound operator. My family was always supportive and helping, which further motivated me strongly.”

His passion for music transformed into a professional career path with College of the North Atlantic’s (CNA) Sound Recording & Production program.

“I enjoyed every class, especially the studio time. I participated in the live events that were organized by CNA, and that’s where I networked with a lot of local industry professionals.

“During my second year I went to class in the morning, and I spent every night and every single weekend in the studio or rehearsing with bands or relevant work. I totally took advantage of the studio facility, students I worked with, and treated school like I was working in the industry,” he says.

After graduation, Peter was busy working full time in the industry on several projects. That is until he decided to do the next big thing – tour assistant and sound operator for Canada, It’s Complicated – a comedy production by the legendary Canadian actress, Mary Walsh.

Canada, It’s Complicated combined satirical sketches and songs that examined the joys, foibles, tragedies and triumphs of Canada as it is today, and where it will be in the future.

“I was contacted in late August to join the Canada, It’s Complicated tour. (They were) seeking a tour assistant and sound operator scheduled to travel across Canada. I managed the audio side as we started rehearsals at LSPU Hall in St. Johns in the last week of August, and then we hit the road Sept. 3, 2017,” he says.

The Tour

The production toured the nation for approximately 10 weeks, visiting communities, holding workshops, and staging performances from “sea to sea to sea,” Peter notes.

The tour kicked off in Happy Valley-Goose Bay at the Lawrence O’Brien Centre, and the last show hit the stage Nov. 12, 2017 at Haines Junction, Yukon Territories at the St. Elias Convention Centre.

Peter says, “It was my first cross-country tour. Getting to see all the nooks and crannies of Canada was an amazing experience. We did 48 shows in 70 days back-to-back with some really cool gear and incredibly talented actors.

Opening night for Canada, It’s Complicated at Happy Valley-Goose Bay at the Lawrence O’Brien Centre – a production featuring CNA Sound Recording & Production program graduate Peter Green as a tour assistant and sound operator.

“The fun part was every day we were at a new location, there were a lot of new learning experiences working closely with an amazing team of local professionals. We were a unique crew – 10 team members, none of us knew each other going on the tour and at the end of three months I had made some amazing friends.”

For as long as he remembers, Peter says he has never been afraid to network with professionals and ask questions.  

“I enjoy getting involved in local events, it’s a great opportunity to connect with local industry professionals,” he says, “I have been pleased how one conversation at times leads to a meaningful connection and a possible work opportunity.”

Peter has also been working on other projects – notably as a recording engineer in the Spirit of Canada. This is a benefit for John Mann to help facilitate his ongoing care and to raise awareness on Alzheimer Disease that featured exclusive performances and rare collaborations from: Spirit of the West, Odds, Barney Bentall, Dustin Bentall, Jim Byrnes, Kendel Carson, Jim Cuddy, Alan Doyle, Colin James, Sarah McLachlan, Ed Robertson, Shari Ulrich, also featuring Spirit – The Next Generation, and more.

“It’s all about being in the right place at the right time, being seen, being known in your community of professionals.”

To find out more about the Sound Recording & Production program at CNA visit www.cna.nl.ca

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Glenda Tompkins
Glenda Tompkins
Glenda is an experienced communications professional with over a decade of experience in Marketing and Communications and Social Media Management. In addition to photography and videography skills, she has extensive experience in event planning, graphic design, and knowledge of website design and management. She has won numerous national and international awards for work in Social Media, Marketing and Communications, and writing.

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