The Team
1500 Sound Academy
PROfessors
We curate an exclusive offering of professional instructors in our state of the art facility, located in the heart of Inglewood, California. We’re about first-hand insight, immersive learning and non-linear education; from those who are leading the game today and shaping it for tomorrow.
Rance Dopson
​
Larrance Dopson is a Grammy Award Winning producer / instrumentalist known for singer Ella Mai's song “Boo’d Up” that charted at number one, further winning 'Best R&B' song. Dopson also won Grammys for “These Walls” and “To Pimp A Butterfly” by Kendrick Lamar. He was nominated for Justin Timberlake and Chris Stapleton's, “Say Something” and Nipsey Hussle's “Victory Lap”. He's been musical director for Usher, Khalid, Jay-Z, Diddy, Snoop Dogg, Migos, Rick Ross, and others. He has written and composed on several records including Mi Declaración which resulted in Maluma’s first Latin Grammy for ‘Best Pop Contemporary Pop Vocal Album’.
James Fauntleroy
James Fauntleroy II is an American singer, songwriter and record producer from Inglewood, California. He is best known for featuring on tracks by high-profile artists such as Frank Ocean, Kendrick Lamar, Drake, J. Cole, Vince Staples and Big Sean as well as writing songs for artists including Bruno Mars, Beyoncé, Rihanna and Justin Timberlake. In 2014 and 2018, Fauntleroy won the Grammy Award for Best R&B Song.
Twila True
Twila True is an entrepreneur, investor and philanthropist. Twila has become a business powerhouse, owning and operating, investing and incubating, multi-million dollar companies in beauty, entertainment, fashion, food and real estate. Currently the co-founder and CEO of True Family Enterprises, a privately owned family office she began with her husband, Alan True, to manage their portfolio of companies, invest and incubate new ventures. In addition to her businesses and investments, Twila’s charitable ventures include the creation of an orphanage assistance foundation in China, and a Native American personal development foundation in the US.
Iz Avila
General Manager
​
IZ Avila is a 5x Grammy Award Winner and has sold over 60 million records to date in pop music. He has traveled the world as Usher’s official DJ for the last 11yrs, capturing numerous memorable performances such as 5 sold-out nights at the O2 Arena, Obama’s 2013 inauguration in Washington DC, Bill Clinton’s Charity event at the Hollywood Bowl with Bono of U2 & Stevie Wonder. IZ has produced and written songs for superstars such as Janet Jackson, Usher, Mary J. Blige, Gwen Stefani, Anthony Hamilton, Trey Songz, and Earth, Wind & Fire to name a few.
In 2008, IZ started his involvement with the “Grammy in the Schools Program,” speaking at various career days at local High Schools. That then led to IZ creating his own weekly webinar / streaming show called “Connected” which focused on providing education, mentoring and jobs in the fields of music, recording, film, radio and culinary. Today, he has introduced over 650 jobs to aspiring musicians, producers, directors, engineers and chefs through “Connected”.
In 2016, IZ joined the Turnaround Arts program, adopting Standing Rock Middle School in North Dakota and encouraging local leadership, teachers, and students around the country.
“Pops” Lawrence Dopson
Facility Manager
​
“Pops” Dopson started his career in the Music Industry in 1967 professionally. He was Lead Singer in the group The “5” Wagers in Chicago. For 15 years he worked with artists like The Temptations, Earth, Wind & Fire, Emotions, The Impressions, Barry White and Smokey Robinson.
He loves teaching vocal and harmonic training to both new artists as well as professional artist’s in todays industry. He truly enjoys his position at 1500 Sound Academy as a mentor to all who works there. “Pops” and his wife Brenda had a vision for his family’s future and that has translated in his son’s Rance endeavors. He is proud of all of the accomplishments 1500 or Nothin’ has achieved and the success of their new location in Inglewood.
Jared Selter
Chief Academic Officer
​
"Air" Jared Selter has taught and designed high-level music educational programs for award-winning institutions. He has multiple placements on network programs, produced major label remixes and runs an indie dance label. Jared holds a BFA in Jazz Guitar Performance from the California Institute of the Arts and is a Grand Prize Akai/Numark Milestones award winner.
Andres “Andy” Almada
Facility/Tech Operations
​
Andy Almada got his start in music at Golden West College learning and recording big band jazz with composer great Tom Kubis. In addition to completing his education in the audio program, he graduated from UCI with a BA in Sociology. Returning to Golden West College as a professor, Andy was a school representative for the Grammy U Los Angeles chapter and expanded the program to Orange County. He is a studio owner/operator and a member of AES and NAMM.
Dave Hampton
Engineer/Technical Director
​
Dave Hampton is a 40+ year Grammy Award winning veteran of the audio recording industry. In addition to engineering, He still consults with manufacturers on new technology, lecturers on survival in the industry, and continues to design custom studios and creative spaces for some of entertainments top artists. Dave has authored 4 books for Hal Leonard Music Publishers. In the summer of 2001 Dave was the first engineer to use Pro Tools to live mix a concert in surround sound, for Herbie Hancock’s Future 2 Future World Tour. Dave served as Technical Director of Paisley Park Studios as well as the other residences in California for several years. While at Paisley Park Dave would design and build several special one of a kind machines just for Prince’s use.
Among his list clients you will find generations of talent from every genre of music. Marcus Miller, Justin Timberlake, Maxwell, and Babyface, NeYo, RZA, Too Short, Chicago, Bill Withers and more. He also serves as Technical consultant for the Estate of Jazz great Miles Davis and is now part of the design team for Volume Ventures Studios.
Giancarlo Fisco
Facility Coordinator
​
GianCarlo was born and raised in Culver City, California. His interest in the music industry really began to grow back when I would DJ at my high school at lunchtime. This lead to interest in production software such as Ableton Live, as well as the various ins and outs of recording music in studios. “I’ve been so fortunate to be a part of the 1500 team for a handful years now, and the knowledge I’ve gained truly is priceless. With how much 1500 has grown since I started, the possibilities for the future seem endless.”
Dylan Del Olmo
Recording/Mixing Engineer
​
Dylan is a mix/recording engineer, producer and guitarist from Playa del Carmen, Mexico. He has mixed multiple chart topping projects including Meek Mill’s Platinum album “Championships” as well as various Latin Grammy-winning artists among them are Reik, Sin Bandera, Lali, Pedro Capo and Jhay Cortez. A graduate of Berklee College of Music, Dylan holds a BA in Music Production & Engineering.
Mike "Wallz" Wallace
Digital Brand Director
​
From BIG 10 Academic All-American Penn State Football player to a World Touring Hip Hop Artist + Creative Director, Mike Wallz began his journey as an intern at 1500 or Nothin's Lauren Studios. With ambitions to learn the music industry, Mike studied under CEO, Rance Dopson in exchange for his expertise in digital media branding & production. As the 1500 digital brand grew, Mike lead content production, shooting the bands major events such as SKEE TV, Jimmy Kimmel, Jay Z 4:44 tour, and just recently finished his first world tour with Nicki Minaj. After 4 years of building the 1500 or Nothin Digital Footprint, Wallz helped leverage their content into presentations that would attract Twila True,, leading to the formation of Volume Ventures, LLC. Mike was selected to be 1 of 5 original members of the think tank that conceptualized what we know today as the "1500 Sound Academy," and continues to develop their digital platform bringing the most value to the 1500 or Nothin Global Village.
​