BALLARD

Shana Ballard is the founder of Apex Arts Studios in North Hollywood and a music producer dedicated to building powerful creative ecosystems for independent artists. With over a decade in the industry, she blends production, strategy, and artist development to help creators move from idea to impact.

She leads Apex’s global writing camps, sync initiatives, and full-scale production services, while also founding the nonprofit United By Sound — empowering artists and bridging global cultures through music and mentorship.

Shana is known for her visionary leadership, sharp business instinct, and deep commitment to artist growth.

CHEVY B

CHEVY BHORNTUS IS A

PRODUCER, SONGWRITER, AND

CREATIVE EXECUTIVE WITH OVER

20 YEARS OF EXPERIENCE IN MUSIC AND ARTIST

DEVELOPMENT. A GRADUATE OF BERKLEE COLLEGE

OF MUSIC AND FORMER CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER

AND DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION AT

ICON COLLECTIVE,

HE HAS LED LARGE-SCALE CREATIVE PROGRAMS

WHILE GUIDING HUNDREDS OF ARTISTS

INTO PROFESSIONAL CAREERS.

AS CO-FOUNDER AND DIRECTOR OF

RESIDENT ARTIST HOUSE,

CHEVY BUILDS STRUCTURED DEVELOPMENT

ECOSYSTEMS FOR SERIOUS, CAREER-READY ARTISTS.

AT APEX, HE BRINGS EXECUTIVE-LEVEL

OPERATIONAL LEADERSHIP

ALONGSIDE HIGH-LEVEL MUSICAL DIRECTION,

HELPING DESIGN STUDIO WORKFLOWS, WRITING

CAMP FRAMEWORKS, AND SCALABLE SYSTEMS THAT

SUPPORT BOTH CREATIVITY AND EXECUTION. HIS APPROACH

BRIDGES SONGCRAFT AND STRUCTURE, ENSURING GREAT

IDEAS DON’T JUST HAPPEN, THEY MOVE FORWARD.

VITO FINAMORE

VITO IS AN ARTIST DEVELOPMENT STRATEGIST,

MENTOR, AND INDUSTRY CONNECTOR KNOWN FOR

IDENTIFYING RAW TALENT AND TURNING

IT INTO OPPORTUNITY. WITH NEARLY A DECADE

OF LEADERSHIP AT ICON COLLECTIVE,

HE BUILT LASTING RELATIONSHIPS

WITH ARTISTS AND EXECUTIVES

ACROSS THE GLOBAL MUSIC COMMUNITY.

AS CO-FOUNDER OF

RESIDENT ARTIST HOUSE, VITO

CONTINUES HIS MISSION OF EMPOWERING

INDEPENDENT ARTISTS THROUGH MENTORSHIP,

COLLABORATION, AND MEANINGFUL

ACCESS. KNOWN AFFECTIONATELY AS

“UNCLE VITO,”

HE IS RESPECTED FOR HIS INTUITIVE EAR,

PAIRING INSTINCTS, AND ABILITY TO

BRING THE RIGHT PEOPLE INTO THE RIGHT ROOMS.

AT APEX, HE PLAYS A KEY ROLE IN WRITING

CAMPS AND INTERNATIONAL INITIATIVES,

HELPING CULTIVATE BREAKTHROUGH MOMENTS

THAT EXTEND BEYOND THE STUDIO WALLS.

MINTZ

MINTZ IS A LOS ANGELES

BASED MIXER, RECORDING

ENGINEER, AND PRODUCER.

KEVIN HAS WORKED FOR

VARIOUS STUDIOS IN LOS

ANGELES AND WITH A WIDE

VARIETY OF ARTISTS AND

PRODUCERS. MENTORED BY

LEGENDARY MIXING ENGINEER

DAVE PENSADO, MINTZ

SPECIALIZES IN MIXING FOR STEREO AND SPATIAL

FORMATS ACROSS GENRES

RANGING FROM POP, R&B,

FUNK, INDIE, TO ELECTRONIC.

ALEC ZEILON

ALEC ZEILON IS A LOS

ANGELES BASED

PRODUCER, SONGWRITER,

& MULTI-

INSTRUMENTALIST.

STARTING HIS

PROFESSIONAL CAREER AT

17, HE SPENT 8 YEARS

PLAYING LEAD GUITAR IN A

NATIONAL TOURING ACT

OUT OF LAS VEGAS. GENRES OF MUSIC

INCLUDE: POP, HIP-HOP,

R&B, & SINGER-

SONGWRITER.

BOY BENNETT

BOY BENNETT (HUNTER

BENNETT NEY) IS A

NASHVILLE RAISED, LOS

ANGELES BASED MULTI-

INSTRUMENTALIST WRITER,

ARTIST & PRODUCER WITH A

FOCUS ON POP, ALT POP,

SINGER-SONGWRITER AND

ALTERNATIVE MUSIC.

VOCALLY HE FALLS INTO AN

ORGANIC R&B / FOLK SOUND THAT BLENDS

AMERICANA AND POP.

BOY BENNETT IS PUBLISHED

BY STARGATE (LAAMP

MUSIC) IN PARTNERSHIP W/

PULSE MUSIC GROUP.

LEANDRO “DRO”

LEANDRO “DRO” HIDALGO a.k.a DRO IS A MULTI-PLATNIUM 3X GRAMMY WINNING PRODUCER AND MIXING ENGINEER.

AFTER GRADUATING FULL SAIL UNIVERSITY, DRO TRAINED UNDER GRAMMY - WINNING ENGINEER DAVE PENSADO.

MIXING WIZKID’S MADE IN LAGOS AND HELPING DEFINE THE MODERN AFROBEATS SOUND. DRO’S WORK NOW SPANS ARTISTS LIKE TYLA, STORMZY, SKEPTA. BRIDGING CONTINENTS AND GENRES WITH BALANCE AND INTENTION.

GUIDED BY HIS MANTRA, “I don’t mix songs — I mix stories,” DRO TREATS EVERY RECORD AS A CULTURAL TRANSLATION.

SYD & ASH

Meet the dynamic duo behind Lazy Pickle Studios, Syd and Ash! They met in 2016 at a writing camp in LA, where Sydney was writing songs and Ashley was filming the documentary. Their connection was instant, sparking the beginning of a beautiful friendship. Sydney is a recording artist, interior designer, and fellow podcaster.

Ashley, is a seasoned director, videographer and photographer whose passion for music and podcasts led her to create her own music interview show. With their combined expertise in design, film, and podcasting they joined forces and Lazy Pickle Studios was born.

ERICH HAEMMERLE

Erich Haemmerle is the Senior VP of Apex Arts Music Publishing and Distribution and the CTO of Apex Arts Studios. As a programmer for over 25 years, he naturally found himself in a world that combined his lifelong passion for music and the arts with the technical aspects of music.

In 1994, Erich entered the medical field and worked as an X-ray technician, assisting in surgeries at his West Hills Orthopedic office. In 1998, he ventured into the tech world and began his programming career in web development for a medical-based website. For the next 24 years, Haemmerle served as a senior web developer for three global resource firms.

In 2021, Shana Ballard and Erich Haemmerle launched Apex Arts Music, a publishing and distribution company that assists independent artists in properly and effectively distributing their music. In 2023, Erich played a key role in launching the education program “Of Sound Mind” by Apex Arts Studios, serving as CTO and industry mentor.

ENGINEERS

  • KEVIN MINTZ

    Mixing Engineer

  • DAVE PENSADO

    Mixing Engineer

  • JETT GALINDO

    Mastering Engineer

  • APOLLO NAPS

    Recording Engineer

  • MARIA ELISA AYERBE

    Mixing Engineer

  • AIDAN DUNCAN

    Mixing & Recording Engineer

  • SAM DHAWAN

    Mixing Engineer

  • ERIC EMERY

    Mixing & Recording Engineer

  • NICO HAMUI

    Mixing Engineer

TEAM APEX 

Nestled in the heart of North Hollywood, California, Apex Arts Studios stands as a testament to the vision of its founder, Shana Ballard. Born from a profound love for the music industry and creativity, this recording sanctuary has become a hub for artistic expression.

A haven for musicians and creators.

Established in 2019, Apex Arts Studios isn't just a recording facility; it's a vibrant ecosystem designed to inspire and elevate the craft of music.

Boasting 8 state-of-the-art studios and a spacious live room, the studio offers a dynamic space for collaboration and innovation.

Apex Arts Studios is more than a recording space; it's a creative home where artists converge to bring their musical visions to life.

Apex Arts Studios has become a symbol of excellence and innovation in the recording industry. From its strategic location in the pulsating cultural epicenter of North Hollywood to its cutting-edge facilities, the studio continues to be a driving force for artists seeking to shape the sonic landscapes of tomorrow.