Biography
My name is Gaby Bendtsen, a 21-year-old sound designer and composer based in East Lansing, Michigan! I am currently pursuing two degrees, a Bachelor's of Arts in Games and Interactive Media, and another in Music, at Michigan State University- the #1 ranked public university for game development in the country. Here, I study sound design closely with my mentor Dr. Ryan Thompson, take classes related to video game development production, and study classical voice with world-renowned tenor Richard Fracker. I am set to graduate in May, 2023.
Like many other sound designers, my love for audio began with music. As a child, I sang in choirs, performed in musical theater productions, and took piano/voice lessons, amongst other things, which eventually lead to my pursuit to become a sound designer for video games. For a time, I thought that I wanted to be a sound designer for linear media, but I found the sound design process for video games to be fascinating. I love crafting interactive soundscapes that change each time you experience it, making each experience unique and personal for the player.
On top of being a full-time student, I am an active sound designer and composer in Michigan. I have completed projects as an in-house and contract sound designer, composer and recording engineer for a variety of companies, such as the Games for Entertainment and Learning (GEL) Lab, Heart Shaped Games, Concha Labs, Michigan State University's Recording Services department, and more. From these projects, I have gained experience working with some of the tools I believe necessary to be a successful sound designer for interactive media, such as Wwise, Pro Tools, Unity, and FL Studio (my DAW of choice). I am also confident with my ability to record in and out of the studio using a variety of recording techniques, process sound files, clean up dialogue, and apply tenets of Western tonality to my sound design. Outside of sound design, I act as the President for Michigan State University's game development student organization Spartasoft, and am the Producer and Director of Spartasoft Studio, a start-up game development studio run by 60 students. Through all of these experiences, I have learned the fundamental importance of being humble and pleasant to work with. I always aim to be transparent, communicative, kind, and respectful to everyone, no matter who they are.
Above all, working as a sound designer in video games requires a love for the art form! Some of my favorite titles include Overwatch 2, God of War,
Persona 5, and Hades, amongst many, MANY others. Outside of video games, I enjoy singing, playing the piano, wakesurfing, and cooking.
I am actively seeking a position as an in-house sound designer at a game development studio, with no preference in location. If you are interested in working with me, please leave a message in my contact form and I will get back to you as soon as I can. I love video games, and I hope that one day, my work as a sound designer and composer will impact players in the same way that others' work has impacted me. Working in the interactive media industry, I am driven to expand my knowledge and craft soundscapes that help drive the narrative and gameplay of the projects I work on. Enjoy navigating my website, and if you have any questions please leave them in the contact form. Thank you!