Greg Gordon
Co-Founder, Executive Director Music City Accelerator
Gregory J. Gordon is the co-founder of Music City Accelerator and the visionary behind San Francisco’s Pyramind Music & Audio Production Institute. With decades of experience as a producer, educator, and mentor, he has helped thousands of artists launch successful careers in music, games, and entertainment.
Beyond education, Greg is also an active recording artist (Code369), a consultant for immersive entertainment projects, and a leader in developing cultural venues like Elevation Sky Park SF. His passion for mentoring the next generation is matched by his commitment to building sustainable ecosystems where music, technology, and entrepreneurship intersect.
Steve Heithecker
Director of Education / Head of Music City Accelerator
In addition to his years of experience in the music industry as an engineer and producer, Steve is a certified Pro Tools expert, a published author and lover of synthesizers. Steve takes his experience and passion into the classroom when he teaches and offers students invaluable knowledge based on real world production.
Steve's credits include: Orchestral recording for the "Iron Man 2" game with Sega USA, recorded and mixed all 20 episodes of "Halo the Return, Mona Lisa Overdrive and Headhunters" for Microsoft Xbox Live, recorded Dialog for "Bioshock 2" for 2K, recorded Dialog for "Infamous 2" for Sony, recorded Grammy award winning Chanticleer for "Halo CE" 10th anniversary, recorded, mixed and mastered all of the in game music for Microsoft and Insomniac’s "Sunset Overdrive,” and his music credits include co-producing and mixing "Winter in America" and “Highest Wish” with Bill Ortiz (Santana).
Quinn Grodzins
Senior Instructor and Production Studio Manager
Quinn is an alum of Pyramind, and taught there from 2020 up until the company joined Music City San Francisco in 2025 to form The Accelerator. Quinn now teaches the Ableton Live and Sound Design curriculum here at The Accelerator, administers our online learning portal, and manages the production studios here as well.
Mac Vaughn
Instructor, Artist Development: Branding, identity, and song release strategy
Mac Vaughn is a visionary techno DJ, producer, and founder of Fierce Animal Recordings—a top 100 Beatport label known for pushing the boundaries of underground sound. A pioneer of the San Francisco rave scene in the late ‘90s, Mac brings decades of experience performing, producing, and developing emerging talent. His deep knowledge of electronic music is matched by a passion for personal growth, shaped by years of spiritual study and artistic exploration. At Music City Accelerator, Mac leads the Artist Development: Branding, identity, and song release strategy course, helping the next generation of artists unlock their creativity and define their own sound.
J. Gibson
Instructor, Music Publishing & Licensing
J. Gibson is the VP of Publishing Operations at EMPIRE, one of the most influential independent music companies in the world. With a background spanning tech startups and Grammy-winning albums, J. has built a career at the intersection of music, metadata, and operational strategy—managing massive song catalogs and turning complex rights puzzles into streamlined systems. Known for bringing “spreadsheets with soul,” he now leads Music City Accelerator’s Music Publishing & Licensing course, helping artists, producers, and managers navigate rights, royalties, contracts, and sync deals in the real world.
Danny Delorean
Instructor, DJing Classes
Danny Delorean is a veteran DJ, radio personality, and music director with over 20 years in the industry. A true DJ’s DJ and walking encyclopedia of genres, he’s played every major club in San Francisco, opened for international acts, and performed at festivals across the globe. From his roots in record stores and college radio to programming for stations like Live 105 and hosting the world’s longest-running Synthwave event, Turbo Drive, Danny brings a deep love of music and unmatched industry knowledge. At Music City Accelerator, he teaches DJing with a focus on skill, history, and hustle—equipping students to command the decks and stand out in a crowded scene.
Rashida Bryant
Instructor, Vocal Training
Rashida Bryant is a master vocal coach with over 20 years of experience helping singers unlock their full potential. From classical technique to R&B power, she brings a structured, results-driven approach that delivers fast, lasting transformation. Known for her deep technical knowledge and high-impact teaching style, Rashida helps vocalists build confidence, control, and presence—on stage and in the studio. At Music City Accelerator, she leads the Vocal Training program, empowering artists to find their voice and become truly unforgettable performers.
The Complete Music Producer
Master modern music production with one-on-one coaching and pro studio access. This 10-class intensive program is built for aspiring producers ready to take their sound to a professional level. Unlike generic online programs, this in-person course pairs you with an expert coach to customize your learning path. Learn in our professional studios, develop your creative workflow, and complete fully produced tracks by the end of the program.
Producing with Ableton Live
Certified Ableton Live training in a collaborative studio environment. Learn to compose, arrange, and produce full tracks in Ableton Live in just 8 weeks. This immersive course combines expert instruction, hands-on studio time, and a community learning approach. No prior experience required—we’ll help you build your workflow from the ground up.
The Essential Music Producer
Fast-track your skills in electronic music production. This 5-class program teaches the five foundations of music creation: Ableton Live, songwriting, engineering, sound design, and mixing/mastering. Perfect for beginners ready to create original tracks using today’s most powerful tools and techniques.
Pro Tools Certification Program
From fundamentals to studio-grade production with Avid Certified training. Our Pro Tools Program offers the full Avid training path: PT101, PT110, PT201, and PT210M. Learn session setup, live audio and MIDI recording, video scoring, and advanced mixing techniques in a real studio environment. Ideal for musicians, engineers, and post-production creatives.
Pro Tools 101 & 110 – Fundamentals
Build a strong foundation in Pro Tools for music and media. Start with the basics—session setup, audio and MIDI workflows, and editing techniques—then level up with commercial workflow strategies like loop recording, Elastic Audio, automation, and signal processing. Finish the 12-week program ready to operate mid-sized sessions with confidence.
Pro Tools 201 & PT210M – Production
Professional-level Pro Tools training for studio and music production. Master HD Native workflows, session management, clip gain, submixes, and automation in a real studio setting. These courses are perfect for musicians and engineers ready to take Pro Tools to the highest
Songwriting & Arranging for Producers
Write and produce better music through harmony, melody, and story. This course focuses on songwriting from a producer’s perspective, using theory, chord progressions, and modern arrangement techniques to build complete tracks. Explore the seven major modes, extended chords, and emotive expression in your music.
Sound Engineering
Learn the art of recording and mixing in a real studio. From mic placement to mixing sessions, this hands-on course trains students to engineer recordings of live musicians in professional studio environments. Build technical confidence while learning proper workflow and studio etiquette.
Music Theory for Producers
Demystify music theory to improve your tracks—faster. Learn chord progressions, harmonic structure, ear training, and piano performance. This practical theory course is designed to enhance your workflow and help you write stronger melodies across all genres using Ableton Live as a learning tool.
Sound Design
Design original sounds and build your personal sonic identity. Explore synthesis, MIDI control, layering, automation, and audio manipulation to develop a signature sound palette. Learn to iterate creatively and technically using the latest hardware and software tools.
Sound for Visual Media
Craft immersive audio for film, video, and games using Pro Tools. This project-based course teaches post-production workflows, sound editing, and audio mastering for visual media. Students complete an original soundtrack and gain experience working with professional post workflows.
Live Sound Engineering (Online)
Master live audio mixing from home. Learn microphone techniques, mixer operation, and troubleshooting for live performances, events, and broadcasts. This online course features expert instruction, gear tutorials, and flexible scheduling for busy students.
