PAMA and Shure Announce Recipients of 2021 Mark Brunner Pro Audio Scholarship

Berklee College, MTSU students are first to receive scholarship honoring the long-time Shure exec

The Professional Audio Manufacturers Alliance (PAMA), in partnership with Shure, has awarded the Mark Brunner Professional Audio Scholarship to Emma Brooks from Berklee College of Music and Dennis Freeman from Middle Tennessee State University.

Offered annually to students worldwide who are pursuing an education in professional audio, the $2,000 scholarship celebrates Brunner, a long-time Shure executive, the 2011-13 president of PAMA, and a leading voice in the professional-audio community. He had an unwavering passion for education and mentorship throughout his career.

Emma Brooks

Brooks has completed two years of a four-year program in music production and engineering at Berklee in Boston. She is currently a music studio enablement intern at Dolby Laboratories and a former sales associate at Guitar Center in Boston. Passionate about analog and digital audio and the roles of physics, architectural acoustics, and room design, she wants to put her growing knowledge to use toward consumer advocacy, pushing the innovation envelope and preserving the integrity of iconic systems.

“Thank you to PAMA and Shure for this fantastic opportunity and for your investment in the future of professional audio,” Brooks said in acknowledging the scholarship. “Mark’s life of advocacy, education, and leadership in the industry is inspiring; I am honored to be a part of this legacy. I greatly appreciate the support of both companies as I continue my audio education.”

Dennis Freeman

Freeman has completed one year of a four-year program in audio production at Middle Tennessee State University in Murfreesboro. He was an honors student at a high school for creative and performing arts, where he played the tuba and trombone. Upon graduation, Freeman wants to create a youth program in Memphis for kids who want to learn audio skills.

He said of receiving the scholarship, “My only wish is that I can find a way to effectively use this opportunity to provide a different and more positive approach to life for the future youth of Memphis, TN.”

Chris Regan, chair, board of directors, PAMA, said, “I know Mark would be extremely happy with the two recipients of this year’s scholarship in his name. One of Mark’s passions was to educate and mentor, always sharing his knowledge and wisdom with so many people throughout his career. Presenting Emma and Dennis with this scholarship is our way of honoring Mark’s legacy while supporting and, hopefully, jumpstarting their careers.”

Added Chris Schyvinck, president/CEO, Shure, “Mark was very passionate about giving back to the industry and the community, so it’s an honor to be able to provide this scholarship in his name to help support our next generation of leaders.”

Mark Brunner

As president of PAMA, Brunner provided a consistent voice to the strategic direction of the alliance and its role in advancing the professional-audio industry. Having joined Shure in 1989, he held several key positions, including director of advertising and managing director of the Musical Instrument and Touring Sound business unit. Most recently, he was VP, global corporate and government relations, working on such issues as the FCC rules for wireless-device operation/frequency and spectrum allocation and lobbying to protect the wireless-microphone market sector. Additionally, he was a prominent member of the Manufacturers Council of The Recording Academy’s Producers & Engineers Wing, frequently sharing his views on legislative wireless-white-space and broadband issues and related matters.

Individuals and companies interested in supporting the Mark Brunner Professional Audio Scholarship fund may donate via the PAMA website. PAMA appreciates all donations that honor Brunner’s legacy and support students pursuing careers in professional audio.