Brandon Vallejo
Bassist. Teacher. Mix Engineer.
Brandon Vallejo is a bass player, music teacher, and audio engineer with over 20 years of experience. He has played and toured around the country with professional death metal bands Vale of Pnath, Virvum, and Perihelion, as well as performing at music festivals such as Floyd Fest with Frenchie & the Holy Gems. He also has experience performing both jazz and classical music, each on upright and electric bass. His jazz performances include appearances with the well-seasoned drummer Roger Humphries while his classical experience comes with a performance under the direction of Maestro Honeck, the Musical Director of the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra. While attending Duquesne University, Brandon had lessons under distinguished bassists Paul Thompson (PD Bass online), Brian Stahurski, and Jeff Mangone.
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Brandon is a versatile bassist and teacher who specializes in technical playing while emphasizing the importance of serving the song. His teaching focuses on developing technique, music theory, creating an effective practice routine, and the importance of the "why" rather than just the "how". Having private students over the years and now teaching at School of Rock in Wexford, PA, Brandon has been able to teach both individua lessons on guitar and bass as well as directing performance groups who will play local venues.
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Brandon has extensive experience working with kids and adults alike and expresses a joy for teaching that can only come from loving what you do.
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Beginning with an interest in the recording process in high school, Brandon started out as a self-taught engineer, tracking his own music before working with Baltimore local band Apath, to record and mix his very first record for a client. Eventually, he would decide to attend Duquesne University in Pittsburgh, PA for Music Technology and Sound Recording, where he was able to formally refine his skills under the direction of the well-decorated Thomas Kikta. This led him to tracking and mixing sessions of various styles for other students, local performers, and even the House Band for a local School of Rock.
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As a member of the Duquesne chapter of the Audio Engineering Society (AES), he was able to attend both the NAMM convention and multiple AES conferences, where he became acquainted with former Solid State Logic CEO, Piers Plaskitt.
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While attending Duquesne, Brandon also had the pleasure of learning from multiple Grammy award winning engineers including Jay Dudt and Hollis Greathouse, as well as local recording expert, Hollywood film engineer, and owner of Red Caiman Studios, Jesse Naus.
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As with his playing, Brandon specializes in recording and mixing rock and metal, however he greatly enjoys and understands the processes involved in engineering styles such as funk, jazz, and classical, singer/songwriter, and more.