Dr. Akins (a.k.a. Dr. A) is a tenured professor in the Department of Recording Industry, and a member of the graduate faculty. He primarily teaches courses in the audio production area on topics such as MIDI, Sound Synthesis, Sequencing, Scoring and the DIY Artist. He has released nine albums of original instrumental music that have recieved extensive airplay, and numerous awards and reviews. He is the author of the book "The Fundamentals of Synthesizer Programming" and has created synthesis tutorials for Moog Music and synthesizer presets for Sequential.

Dr. Akins earned two Bachelor of Music degrees from the University of Tennessee (electronic music composition and studio/jazz music), an M.A in music from Radford University, an Ed.S in curriculum and instruction from Middle Tennessee State University, and an Ed.D in curriculum and instruction from Tennessee State University. As a faculty member at MTSU, he has been awarded an Outstanding Achievement in Instructional Technology Award and a Distinguished Creative Activity Award.

• From Chattanooga, TN
• Started out by playing keyboards and saxophone for bands during high school and college years (school band, country and rock bands, jazz ensembles, etc.)
• Earned bachelor and master degrees in music with concentrations in electronic music, studio music and jazz. Earned doctorate degree in education.
• Started teaching for MTSU in year 2000. Currently teaches: Intro to MIDI and Sound Synthesis, MIDI-based Music Production, Scoring for Visual Media and Practices of the DIY Music Artist 
• DAW experience includes Pro Tools, Logic Pro, Ableton, Reason and Digital Performer
• Has self-released nine solo albums and two singles with distribution through CD Baby 
• Released four singles on Heart Dance Records
• Worked on albums released by artists Unita and Bill Leslie
• Tours nationally. Coolest gig goes to two nights at the Grand Ole Opry (with John Conlee).
• Self-published four song books and one text book "The Fundamentals of Synthesizer Programming"
• Composed for various independent videos and films
• Created factory patches for Sequential and synthesis tutorials for Moog Music

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