Meet the Team

Buzz Kemper

(he/him)

Co-Owner / Audio Engineer / Music Producer / Voice Talent

In addition to being host and technical director for the NETA-syndicated TV show From the Front Row, Buzz Kemper has worked with and been endorsed by artists ranging from the Chicago Symphony to Roscoe Mitchell to Rolling Stones’ pianist Chuck Leavell as both an audio engineer and producer. From the age of 19, when he was promoted to Technical Director of the national radio program A Prairie Home Companion, Buzz has gone on to work as recording engineer, producer, sound designer, and/or live sound engineer for Madison Opera, Minnesota Orchestra, Ani DiFranco, Mary Chapin Carpenter, Dar Williams, and too many other artists to name. His portfolio includes a letter of praise from cellist Yo-Yo Ma.

As a voice actor, he has been heard on numerous audiobooks and film narrations, as well as projects for Time/Warner, The Onion, Overture Center, Promega, Wisconsin DNR (as Smokey Bear), and many others. As live events announcer for American Family Insurance, he has served as announcer/emcee for live shows in Hawaii, Banff, and The Bahamas, among other locations.

His rock climbing hobby has taken him to the top of Devils Tower in Wyoming, Half Dome in Yosemite, High Exposure in the Shawangunk Mountains, Mt. Quandary in Colorado, Mt. St. Helens in Washington, and many other dizzying peaks.

Audrey Martinovich (she/her)

Co-Owner / Audio Engineer / Music Producer / Voice Talent

Audrey Martinovich started her engineering journey as a classically-trained singer who, through experimenting with recording her voice lessons and performances, fell in love with audio production. In 2012, she graduated from Madison Media Institute with a degree in Recording and Music Technology before going on to earn her Bachelor’s in Entertainment and Media Business. In 2014, Audrey officially joined the staff at Audio for the Arts where she now specializes in recording acoustic instruments and voice, and has a passion for blending classical, jazz, and pop elements in her productions which have garnered her several Madison Area Music Association Awards.

In 2017, Audrey became the first regular female contributor to Production Expert and Pro Tools Expert, industry blogs which provide knowledge and training to over 6 million yearly visitors. The following year, Audrey was a finalist to receive the award for Breakthrough Studio Engineer from Pro Sound Europe. In 2020, she joined the Recording Academy as a voting member and currently serves as Secretary on the Recording Academy Chicago Chapter Board and co-chairs the chapter's Producers & Engineers Committee.

Some of her engineering credits include recording and mastering for Wisconsin Chamber Orchestra, recording and mixing albums for jazz pianist/composer Johannes Wallmann, recording live stand-up comedy albums for Comedy Central, and even running live sound for Reebok on a barge floating in the middle of Lake Monona.

Noah Gilfillan

(he/him)

Studio Manager / Audio Engineer / Videographer / Instrumentalist

Noah Gilfillan began his foray into the world of audio engineering by recording a Bach chorale with 4 synthesizers in Garageband in the Mount Horeb High School band room. He doesn’t use Garageband anymore, but the same spirit of joyful sonic exploration has set Noah apart as an audio engineer in the Madison music scene. After graduating from the Institute of Production and Recording in 2012 and interning at The Terrarium in Minneapolis, he returned to Madison to pursue a career in recording and music performance. Since joining the ranks at Audio for the Arts in 2016, he has had the pleasure of collaborating with such varied artists as Wurk, Mr. Chair, Reese da Demon, Eddie Barbash, 20 Minute Mission, Anders Svanoe, Cold Fusion, Old Oaks, Maestranza, OMGAH, Xander Anim & The Whole Ya Dig, and many more.

Noah is also the resident videographer at AFA, working with top tier clients such as the Madison Symphony Orchestra, Wisconsin Youth Symphony Orchestra, The BBE Ensemble, The Madison Choral Project, and the Chazen Museum of Art. When he’s not operating a camera jib or playing grand piano through an Echoplex tape delay, you can find him canoeing the Wisconsin River with his daughter, gigging with his band The Earthlings, or interpretive dance ice-skating to Caribou and Eiffel 65.

Meggie Shays Gilfillan

(she/her)

Office Manager / Audio Engineer / Singer / Songwriter

Megan Gilfillan primarily acts as Office Manager, but once she got a taste for the technical side of recording audio, she worked her way up from assistant engineer to engineer. She enjoys working on audiobooks, podcasts and radio. She wears several hats including financial management, directing client inquiries, graphic design, social media, and other office responsibilities. Meggie has an inquisitive mindset and creative energy that she brings to the inner workings of Audio for the Arts. She enjoys working alongside the amazing people at AFA who are committed to excellence in audio services.

Meggie has a Bachelors of Science in Architecture from UW-Milwaukee with a minor in Art. With this background, she has acquired skills in drafting, architectural design, rendering, and construction which she brings to the job.

When she’s not holding down the fort at the Audio for the Arts, Meggie’s main passion is songwriting and performing her music at various venues in Madison under the stage name Meggie Shays. Her best friend is her keyboard. She started playing piano when she was six years old, and as soon as she could walk she was dancing. She also enjoys running, drawing, and making people laugh.

Stephanie Benicek began her audio career in the concert industry working at an independent concert venue in Madison with experience ranging from concert photography and marketing to hospitality and concert production management. She joined Audio for the Arts in 2021 and enjoys being active in both the studio and live music scenes.

At the University of Wisconsin-Madison, Stephanie concentrated on digital signal processing, earning a BS in Electrical Engineering and a Certificate in Physics. She continued her studies at New York University where she focused on 3D audio, live sound, production, and virtual reality to earn a Masters Degree in Music Technology. Earning the award in Leadership and Inspiration in Music Technology from NYU’s music technology graduate program, she served as president for the Society of Women in Technology (SWiTCH) and is very passionate about female representation in the music industry.

As an audio engineer at Audio for the Arts, she loves doing remote recordings, producing, and mastering. When Stephanie is not working, she enjoys attending concerts, baking, painting, playing guitar, and photography.

Audio Engineer / Camera Operator / Front of House

Stephanie Benicek

(she/her)

Tori Neels

(she/her)

Tori Neels earned her Bachelor's Degree in Music Media and Production from Edgewood College in 2023, where she focused on music theory, music history, ear training, sound design, and audio production. During her time at Edgewood, she also studied classical voice, which continues to influence her work as both a performer and songwriter.

Tori began her professional journey at Audio for the Arts as an intern in early 2023 and quickly became a permanent member of the team. She now works on a wide range of projects, from studio sessions to live recordings and post-production work.

Outside of engineering, Tori is devoted to writing, recording, and performing music. She finds joy in being hands-on with the creative process which allows her to continually grow as both an artist and an engineer.

She remains active in Madison’s vibrant music scene and draws inspiration from the live performances she attends and the community of artists around her. When she’s not in the studio, you’ll likely find her at a concert, experimenting in the kitchen, reading a good book, or spending up the outdoors.

Social Media Manager / Audio Engineer / Camera Operator / Vocalist