Los Angeles, CA –– With applications closing June 26, 2026, emerging music creators have just days remaining to apply for the Larrabee Studios Creator Series, an immersive mentorship experience led by 18-time GRAMMY-winning mixer Manny Marroquin inside one of the most iconic recording studios in the world, Larrabee Studios.
The Creator Series will bring 15 emerging creators from across the United States to Los Angeles August 10-14, 2026, for five days of mentorship, collaboration, professional development, and hands-on studio experience.
Led by Marroquin and supported by Sony Corporation's audio division ("Sony Audio"), the program was created to help talented creators gain access to the people, tools, and opportunities that can help shape a career.
"The hardest part of breaking into this industry is getting access. There are talented creators everywhere who just need the opportunity to be in the room, learn from people who've done it, and build real connections. That's what the Creator Series is about. If you've been putting in the work and wondering what your next step should be, this is your chance. Don't talk yourself out of applying."
— Manny Marroquin, Mixing Engineer & Creator Series Lead Mentor
Marroquin knows firsthand how transformative access can be. After beginning his career as a studio runner in Los Angeles, he rose through the ranks to become one of the most sought-after mixing engineers in the world, working with artists including Bruno Mars, Rihanna, Alicia Keys, John Mayer, Imagine Dragons, Kanye West, Christina Aguilera, and The Rolling Stones.
The Creator Series was designed to create similar opportunities for the next generation.
OPENING DOORS FOR THE NEXT GENERATION OF CREATORS
Participants will spend five days immersed in the creative and technical aspects of modern music production, learning directly from Marroquin and a curated group of industry professionals.
The experience includes:
• Mentorship from leading engineers, producers, and music industry professionals
• Hands-on studio experience inside Larrabee Studios
• Career development sessions covering branding, business, revenue streams, and professional growth
• Creative collaboration with fellow creators from across the country
• Access to professional tools and technologies from Sony Audio
Participants will also spend a day on the Sony Lot in Culver City, where they will gain insider access to Sony Audio's professional facilities and team.
As part of the experience, participants will work with Sony Audio technologies including MDR-M1 and award-winning MDR-MV1 open-back headphones, C-80 and C-100 microphones, and 360 Virtual Mixing Environment (360VME), a spatial audio technology that recreates the acoustic experience of a professional studio over headphones.
Hosted inside Larrabee Studios, a facility whose rooms have welcomed artists including Michael Jackson, Beyoncé, Madonna, Lauryn Hill, Usher, No Doubt, Rihanna, and Maroon 5, the Creator Series offers participants a rare opportunity to learn inside one of music's most iconic creative environments.
Selection is based on creative potential, commitment to craft, and readiness to grow in a professional music environment.
2025 Larrabee Studios Creator Series
PROGRAM DETAILS
Dates: August 10-14, 2026
Location: Larrabee Studios, North Hollywood, California
Participants: 15 total
Eligibility: U.S. residents, age 21+, all music genres welcome
Cost: Fully funded (travel, lodging, meals, and programming included)
Application Deadline: June 26, 2026 (11:59 PM PST)
Winners Announced: July 10, 2026
Apply: larrabeestudioscreatorseries.com
Marroquin will personally select participants through a competitive national application process. All travel, lodging, meals, and programming are fully covered. There is no fee to apply and no fee to attend.
For creators who have been waiting for an opportunity to learn from industry leaders, build meaningful connections, and gain experience inside one of the world's most respected recording facilities, the deadline to apply is June 26.
ABOUT LARRABEE STUDIOS
Larrabee Studios has been a leader in the Los Angeles music industry for over 50 years, with a reputation as one of the top recording and mixing facilities in the world.
Originally founded on Larrabee Street in West Hollywood by Gerry Goffin and Carole King, the studio evolved under the ownership of the Mills family and later Kevin Mills, expanding into one of the first SSL-equipped studios in the country.
In 1991, Larrabee North—now Larrabee Studios—was established in North Hollywood, quickly becoming home to landmark projects including Michael Jackson’s Dangerous. Since then, it has hosted recordings from Beyoncé, Madonna, The Rolling Stones, Kanye West, Bruno Mars, Adele, Taylor Swift, Dr. Dre, Rihanna, Maroon 5, and many more.
Today, Larrabee remains one of the last full-service, state-of-the-art studio complexes in the country, offering a complete spectrum of audio services under one roof while continuing to shape the future of music through initiatives like the Creator Series.
ABOUT MANNY MARROQUIN
Manny Marroquin is one of the most sought-after mixing engineers in the music industry, known for his versatility and deep respect for artistic vision.
“A lot of mix engineers work at developing their own unique sound and that’s cool,” he says, “but I choose to act as a chameleon—bringing the collective ideas of the producer, label, and artist to life for each individual project.”
His credits include Bruno Mars, The Rolling Stones, Alicia Keys, Imagine Dragons, Lizzo, Kanye West, Rihanna, John Legend, and Christina Aguilera, among many others.
With over 250 million albums sold worldwide, Marroquin has contributed to more than 40 #1 albums, 100 Top 10 albums on the Billboard 200, and 12 #1 singles on the Hot 100. He has earned 18 GRAMMY Awards from 48 nominations.
mannymarroquin.com
ABOUT SONY CORPORATION
Sony Corporation is a wholly owned subsidiary of Sony Group Corporation and is responsible for the Entertainment, Technology & Services (ET&S) business. With the mission to “create the future of entertainment through the power of technology together with creators,” Sony continues to deliver Kando to people around the world.
Kando is a Japanese word that describes the sense of awe and emotion experienced when encountering something beautiful and meaningful for the first time.
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