Bio

Dustin Painter is a Richmond, VA based music professional specializing in music production, audio engineering, composition, and sound design.

Originally from the Raleigh, NC area, Dustin's educational journey began at Western Carolina University, where he earned a Bachelor of Science in Music Education and a Bachelor of Music in Commercial and Electronic Music in 2011. He continued his studies at the University of Southern California, receiving his Graduate Certificate for Scoring for Motion Pictures and Television in 2012. During his time at USC, he was honored with the prestigious Harry Warren Endowed Scholarship for Scoring for Motion Pictures and Television.

In 2021, Dustin completed his Master of Fine Arts in Recording Arts and Technologies at Middle Tennessee State University. His work in the field of recording and production was acknowledged through receiving the API Saul Walker Memorial Scholarship in 2020. Additionally, his MFA Final Project, titled "Binaural Audio with End User Control: A Binaural, Virtual Reality Nature Walk for Oculus Quest 2 with User Controllable Equalization," secured second place at MTSU's Scholars Week, showcasing his approach and interests in audio production for immersive audio formats. Dustin concluded his studies at MTSU as the recipient of the “Outstanding MFA in Recording Arts and Technologies Student of the Year” award in May 2021. 

Dustin's professional development continued in 2023 when he became a certified Dolby Atmos Mix Engineer for Engineears.com, a renowned mixing engineer platform established by Derek Ali, known for his collaborations with acclaimed artists such as Kendrick Lamar, Childish Gambino, and SZA.

With a portfolio encompassing over 80 multimedia projects, Dustin's compositions, sound design, and audio production work have resonated with audiences across various platforms. Notable clients and collaborations include Comedy Central, STEAM, the iOS App Store, SyFy, United Launch Alliance, CBS, Hulu, Amazon Prime, and all major music streaming services. 

Currently serving as an Assistant Professor at Virginia State University, Dustin teaches courses in audio recording and production, MIDI/synthesis, and media technology. In addition to his academic role, Dustin serves as an academic ambassador for ADAM Audio. His dedication to both education and industry collaboration underscores his commitment to advancing the field of music and empowering aspiring musicians and audio professionals.