At the core of Jesse Benfield’s work—whether he’s mixing a live show, designing a sound system, or restoring archival recordings—is one simple truth: he’s a storyteller. Yes, Jesse is an award-winning sound designer and event production leader with a resume that includes platinum records, televised concerts, and collaborations with some of the biggest names in music. But the thing that’s always driven him, long before the credits and the accolades, is his love for the way sound makes people feel. Jesse has always been drawn to the emotional power of sound, especially in the world of horror—where the creak of a door, the shuffle of footsteps down an empty hallway, or the groan of the undead can raise the hair on your arms before a single word is spoken. A lifelong fan of the genre (and a particular sucker for a good zombie flick), Jesse grew up paying close attention to the way great filmmakers and sound designers used silence, space, and sudden jolts to create tension and tell a story. That early obsession with horror didn’t just entertain him—it taught him. It taught him how to listen. How to lean into a quiet moment and let it breathe. How to know when to hold back and when to hit the audience right between the eyes. “I’ve always believed that good sound is about more than just clarity,” Jesse says. “It’s about connection. It’s about guiding your audience through an experience—whether that’s awe, joy, sorrow, or just the right amount of dread.” That philosophy shapes everything Jesse does. Whether he’s syncing a live symphony to archived footage at a memorial concert, mixing front-of-house for a packed venue, or helping students understand the power of a well-placed mic, his approach is rooted in the belief that sound isn’t just technical—it’s emotional. It’s not about making things louder. It’s about making them mean something. That same kid who once studied the soundtracks of classic horror films—analyzing how delay, dissonance, and distortion could twist your stomach into knots—now brings that same curiosity and creative energy into every project he touches. His love of the genre fuels his respect for dynamics: the build-up of anticipation, the power of restraint, and the payoff that hits like a punch in the chest. And whether he’s leading a production team or mentoring the next generation of audio pros, Jesse always encourages others to ask not just how to make something sound good—but why. Because at the end of the day, the best sound doesn’t just fill a room. It tells a story.…At the core of Jesse Benfield’s work—whether he’s mixing a live show, designing a sound system, or restoring archival recordings—is one simple truth: he’s a storyteller. Yes, Jesse is an award-winning sound designer and event production leader with a resume that includes platinum records, televised concerts, and collaborations with some of the biggest names in music. But the thing that’s always driven him, long before the credits and the accolades, is his love for the way sound makes people feel. Jesse has always been drawn to the emotional power of sound, especially in the world of horror—where the creak of a door, the shuffle of footsteps down an empty hallway, or the groan of the undead can raise the hair on your arms before a single word is spoken. A lifelong fan of the genre (and a particular sucker for a good zombie flick), Jesse grew up paying close attention to the way great filmmakers and sound designers used silence, space, and sudden jolts to create tension and tell a story. That early obsession with horror didn’t just entertain him—it taught him. It taught him how to listen. How to lean into a quiet moment and let it breathe. How to know when to hold back and when to hit the audience right between the eyes. “I’ve always believed that good sound is about more than just clarity,” Jesse says. “It’s about connection. It’s about guiding your audience through an experience—whether that’s awe, joy, sorrow, or just the right amount of dread.” That philosophy shapes everything Jesse does. Whether he’s syncing a live symphony to archived footage at a memorial concert, mixing front-of-house for a packed venue, or helping students understand the power of a well-placed mic, his approach is rooted in the belief that sound isn’t just technical—it’s emotional. It’s not about making things louder. It’s about making them mean something. That same kid who once studied the soundtracks of classic horror films—analyzing how delay, dissonance, and distortion could twist your stomach into knots—now brings that same curiosity and creative energy into every project he touches. His love of the genre fuels his respect for dynamics: the build-up of anticipation, the power of restraint, and the payoff that hits like a punch in the chest. And whether he’s leading a production team or mentoring the next generation of audio pros, Jesse always encourages others to ask not just how to make something sound good—but why. Because at the end of the day, the best sound doesn’t just fill a room. It tells a story.WWWW…