Policies

Course descriptions

Dream Big Academy offers three separate short courses in audio engineering. Each one is 8 weeks long: one three-hour class a week, 24 classroom hours in all (never more than 24). Online students join the same in-person class, streamed live.

Tuition is $495 per course in person (paid in full, or 2 payments of $247.50) and $325 per course online (paid in full). There are no registration, materials or other fees.

Each course stands on its own. You enroll in and pay for one course at a time, no course is required before another, and completing a course does not award credits, units, a diploma or a degree toward any other course or program.

All courses are taught by Antonio Noriega, owner and head engineer of Dream Big Studios, in the studio’s working rooms in Killeen, Texas.

• Module A: Audio Engineering Basics. How sound works, Pro Tools from scratch, and recording vocals and instruments. Topics: How sound and signal flow work; The Pro Tools interface, editing and arranging; Microphones and gain staging; Tracking vocals, instruments and MIDI.
• Module B: Intermediate Mixing. Run a session, then balance, EQ and compress a song into a mix that translates. Topics: Running a session start to finish; Editing and comping takes; EQ, compression and effects; Balancing and finishing a mix.
• Module C: Advanced Studio Techniques. Advanced mixing, mastering for release, and a finished portfolio piece. Topics: Advanced mixing and automation; Mastering for streaming and release; Working with artists and clients; Building a portfolio piece.

Cancellation and refund policy

Every registrant receives the written course description and this policy at least 14 days before the first class.

• Before the course begins: you may cancel at any time before the first class and receive a full refund of all fees paid, on written request.
• Instructor changes: if the instructor or the instructor’s qualifications differ from those we advertised, you may opt out before the course begins and receive a full refund, on written request.
• Dissatisfaction: if you complete at least 8 classroom hours or half the course, whichever is less, and are dissatisfied, you may ask for a refund of the course fee. The request must be in writing, give a reasonable basis, and reach us within 14 days after the course ends.
• How refunds are paid: we refund to the original form of payment within 30 days of the written request. If you are on the two-payment plan, you receive back what you have paid.
• Send written requests to studio@dreambigctx.com or by mail to 1507 W Stan Schlueter Loop, Suite 101, Killeen, TX 76549.

Enrollment and start dates

We do not accept applications or enroll students within 14 days of a course’s start date. Applications for a class close 14 days before its first meeting, so every registrant has the course description and refund policy at least 14 days before the course begins.

Students must be 16 or older. Students who are 16 or 17 need a parent or guardian to sign the consent form before taking part.

Each course is advertised only as a separate short course, with its true length, price and instructor.

Tuition and payments

In person: $495 per course, paid in full or in 2 payments of $247.50. The total never reaches $500.

Online: $325 per course, paid in full.

There are no registration, materials, lab or other mandatory fees. Online students use their own computer, Pro Tools, microphone and headphones; these are not bought from the Academy.

Payments are taken through Square or in person. Your Tuition page in the app shows what you have paid and what is due.

Instructors and qualifications

Courses are taught by Antonio Noriega, owner and head engineer of Dream Big Studios, where music, podcasts and voice work are recorded, mixed and mastered every week.

If an instructor or an instructor’s qualifications differ from what we advertised, we tell registrants in writing before the course begins and offer a full refund to anyone who opts out. We keep a record of any such difference for 3 years.

Attendance and conduct

Every student agrees to these rules before using the student app.

• In person: Be on time and be present. Class starts at the scheduled time. If you can’t make it, message your instructor before class. Missing class means missing material you’ll need for homework.
• In person: Turn in homework on time. Homework is due on the date shown in your Schedule. If something comes up, ask for more time before the due date, not after.
• In person: Respect the studio and the gear. Studio equipment is expensive and shared. Ask before touching anything you haven’t been shown how to use. No food or drinks in the control room or booths. Report any damage right away.
• In person: Respect everyone in the room. No harassment, bullying or discrimination of any kind. Keep language and behavior professional. Artists and clients who record here deserve privacy and respect.
• In person: Keep other people’s work private. Sessions, songs and files you hear or work on at Dream Big Studios belong to the artists who made them. Don’t share, post or copy them without written permission.
• In person: Turn in your own work. Homework and projects must be your own work. You may use sounds and samples you have the rights to use.
• In person: Studio time. Lab and practice time in the studio happens only when scheduled or approved by your instructor. Never enter the studio alone or bring guests without permission.
• In person: Students under 18. Students who are 16 or 17 need a parent or guardian to review these rules and give consent before taking part.
• In person: Staying in the Academy. The studio may remove a student from the Academy for repeated rule violations, unsafe behavior or damage to equipment.
• Online: Show up and be present. Live sessions start at the scheduled time. Join a few minutes early with your microphone and headphones working, and your camera on when you can. If you can’t make it, message your instructor beforehand and watch the recording that week.
• Online: Respect everyone on the call. No harassment, bullying or discrimination of any kind. Keep language and behavior professional. Mute when you’re not talking, and use headphones so there’s no echo.
• Online: Sessions are recorded. Live sessions are recorded and posted for the class so people can catch up. By joining, you agree to be recorded. Don’t record, screenshot or share a session, a recording or the meeting link outside the class.
• Online: Your gear and your ears. You’ll use your own equipment at home. Keep your listening volume at a safe level and take breaks from headphones. Set up your equipment safely and keep drinks away from it.
• Online: Office hours. Office hours are one-on-one video time with your instructor. Book a time on the Office hours page and join on time. For students under 18, office hours are recorded and a parent or guardian is welcome to sit in.

Student records

For 3 years after each course ends, we keep records of attendance, fees paid, refunds paid, and any differences between the advertised and actual instructors and their qualifications. We will provide these records to the Texas Workforce Commission on request.

Records are kept at Dream Big Studios, 1507 W Stan Schlueter Loop, Suite 101, Killeen, TX 76549. You may ask for a copy of your own records at studio@dreambigctx.com.

Privacy

We collect what we need to run the Academy: your name, contact details, date of birth (to check the age requirement), your parent or guardian’s details if you are under 18, your homework, attendance and payment records, and messages you send in the app.

Online sessions and office hours are recorded and shared only with your class. We use this information only for Academy business. We do not sell it or share it with advertisers.

Card payments are handled by Square; we do not store card numbers. To see, correct or delete your information, email us.

Nondiscrimination

Dream Big Academy does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran status or any other protected status in admissions, instruction or any other activity. If you need an accommodation to take part, tell us when you apply.

Questions and complaints

Bring any concern to Antonio Noriega, Owner and Head Engineer, at studio@dreambigctx.com or 254-218-6655. Put a complaint in writing if you can. We answer within 10 business days.

If a concern is not resolved, you may contact the Texas Workforce Commission, Career Schools and Colleges, 101 East 15th Street, Austin, Texas 78778-0001.

Texas career school status

Dream Big Academy has asked the Texas Workforce Commission for a written determination that these courses are exempt from Chapter 132 of the Texas Education Code under Section 132.003. Dream Big Academy is not a licensed career school and is not approved or endorsed by the Texas Workforce Commission. We will not enroll students until we receive that determination.

Each course is 24 classroom hours or less, costs less than $500, teaches skills to maintain or improve competence in an occupation or for recreational purposes, and awards no credit toward a longer course or program.