Whether it’s tracking, editing, mixing, or production, we can pair you with the right person to make your dream recording so you can focus on being creative and capturing great performances.
Tom Dobrzanski
Producer / Founding Engineer
Tom Dobrzanski is a Juno nominated Canadian record producer, engineer, mixer, musician and studio owner.
He began his career in 2005 when he built Vertical Studios and produced debut albums for bands like Said The Whale, Hey Ocean!, and We Are The City. His favourite projects to work on are often new artists that are looking to make their first serious studio recording.
Tom is also a founding member of the Vancouver band The Zolas, and although since launching Monarch is more focused on production and recording, continues to work with the band on their studio recordings.
Tom has been recognized with many award nominations including WCMA awards for Producer of the Year, Engineer of the Year, Rock Recording of the Year, Pop Recording of the Year, Independent Album of the Year, and most recently Juno nominations in the Alternative Album, Traditional Roots, and Breakthrough Group categories. Tom has also had multiple top 10 singles on Canadian radio charts, including a #1 with Said The Whale’s song “I Love You”.
Alex Penney
Producer / Senior Engineer
Alex Penney has always been surrounded by music. He played piano growing up, with a taste influenced by a father who loved prog-rock and a sister who studied jazz. This developed into a love for hip-hop and electronic music and sounds from around the world.
During university he became interested in DJing and production and started buying records and making beats. This eventually led to a move to Vancouver BC to pursue a career in making sound and he has been working as a Producer/Engineer/DJ ever since.
Alex has worked with artists such as Dani LeRose (Jade the Moon), Jay Rock (Top Dawg Entertainment), and Jarrett Martineau (CBC Reclaimed / RPM Records).
Aaron Klassen
Producer / Engineer
Aaron Klassen is a Vancouver-based a recording engineer, mixer, and multi-instrumentalist specializing in drums and synthesizers.
As a performer, Aaron has over a decade of experience playing stages across Canada, the US, UK, France, Germany, and as far as India with musical acts such as Bad Pop (FKA Hot Panda), Ben Rogers, Dustin Bentall, Ghostmeat and Altered By Mom. The songs shared on this bio playlist showcase some of that work.
After completing the Digital Music Production program at Langara College, Aaron found his love of all things engineering and production. Blending the old and the new, analog meeting digital, is where Aaron finds the most joy in recording and are what keep him in the studio with a smile on his face at any hour.
Quirky indie rock, classic and contemporary alternative, electronic, post disco and pop music are the blueprints for the music that Aaron creates personally and loves to work with artists of any genre that hold a passion for putting out something new to the world.
Elise Hall-Meyer
Producer / Engineer
Elise Hall-Meyer is a musician, engineer, and sound designer based in Burnaby, BC. Drawn to music at an early age, what started as a personal outlet grew into performing in bands, recording, and eventually studying digital music production at Langara College in Vancouver. There she discovered a love of synthesis and sound design, and a passion for working on the technical side of audio.
She now splits her time between recording and mixing at Monarch Studios and creating soundtracks and sound design for her indie games studio, Séance Collective. She brings a love of storytelling to audio, and enjoys crafting immersive worlds in music, games, podcasts and film. Elise thrives on helping artists have a great experience and bring their songs and stories to life in the studio.
STUART CARLSON
Producer / Engineer
Stuart Carlson has been an amazing addition to the Monarch team, joining us in 2022.
Growing up in BC's Okanagan, Stuart spent his time working on beat making, electronic production, and vocal production.
After relocating to Vancouver to pursue music, Stuart completed the Music Production and Business program at Nimbus School of Recording Arts -- adding a foundation in recording that serves him well working on all genres of music.
Stuart is constantly positive, energetic, and encouraging to every artist he works with.
LILA GRAY
Producer / Engineer
Lila McKechnie, known professionally as Lila Gray, is a musician, producer & audio engineer based out of Vancouver, BC. Lila began her musical education at the age of 5 when she began classically training in the cello before transitioning to guitar, bass and vocals. Lila attended Recording Arts Canada in Montréal, receiving her diploma in Music Production and Audio Engineering. She graduated among the top of her class in 2023.
Lila specializes in alternative Pop, Folk and RnB but is open to working in any and all genres. Her previous and current clients include; Moira + Claire, Aza Nabuko, Maya Jade, Gabby Rutter, Chai Sully, Julia Skye, Coeurtis, Grace Clark, and more. She frequently scores films for up and coming filmmakers, her credits include; Dawn, Space Cadet, Magenta and Pieces. Lila is the recipient of the 2025 Olivia Quan Award for Audio Excellence and is an alumni of the 2025 Music Publishers Canada Women In The Studio Accelerator.
Dave Sikula
Producer / Freelance Senior Engineer
David Sikula is an award winning recordist, mixing engineer, guitarist, and producer from Vancouver, British Columbia.
Since completing his undergraduate degree in Jazz Performance at the University of Toronto in 2002, David has gravitated toward a career in audio production while continuing work as a guitarist. With over fifteen years of experience as an audio engineer and over thirty years of experience as a professional musician, David has become an in-demand audio engineer and producer for both local and international artists of many styles ranging anywhere from jazz, to Persian classical music, to singer/songwriter and pop and rock styles.
Past clients include Jodi Proznick, Katherine Penfold, Cory Weeds, Jeff Hamilton, Bells Clanging, the Vashaan Ensemble, Peter Bernstein, Steve Kaldestad, Mike LeDonne, Louis Hayes and many others.
Please inquire about rates and availability with Dave Sikula.
Olivia Quan
IN LOVING MEMORY
December 22, 1996 - July 1, 2022
Olivia Quan was a Juno-nominated engineer, producer, and mixer in Vancouver, BC. She joined Monarch in 2016 and became one of the studio's main engineers.
Over the years, her tenacious nature allowed her to work with some of the city's finest artists, engineers, and producers. She dedicated herself to the art of merging analog and digital mediums to make sounds that stood out.
Olivia was a huge part of our family at Monarch and the loss of her immense talent, energy, and generosity will be felt by the enormous community of people that had the opportunity to collaborate and learn with her.
May her spirit live on in all of our hearts.