Building Beats, Chasing Dreams

Declan Mannel sat in front of a keyboard and a computer, headphones on and mic checked.

His teacher Nathan Ingram looked at the computer screen, and with a few clicks of the mouse, pressed play. When the beat dropped, heads started bopping.

That’s because Declan is a beatmaker, enrolled in Ingram’s digital production and audio engineering program at Collingswood High School.

Declan started playing piano at age 5, joined the marching band in seventh grade on mallet percussion, and has done theater and choir. He started producing his own music a few months before his freshman year, and thought the audio production program “sounded fun.”

“Marching band has really helped me with music theory and understanding how chords are built, and how to read music, which really helps when I’m making music,” the sophomore said.

When he’s working on a beat, Declan either starts with a melody and adds in drums, or vice versa. He loves hip-hop and rap beats, and finds a lot of creativity when he’s working on something more cinematic.

He writes his music from scratch, inspired by people like record producer and audio engineer Mike Dean — as well as his friend and fellow classmate Ryan Mercurio. Sometimes he’ll use live instruments, like a drum kit or a string player. He uses FL Studio software and an Arturia synthesizer to create songs.

“I make music that I want to hear,” Declan said. “You can find inspiration in yourself, and that will help you find your own sound.”

He has equipment at home, and although he comes across ideas daily, it can take several days to perfect his beat. In fact, of the 77 songs he estimates producing over the last two years, he said some earlier versions have been remixed and remastered.

Only 16, he’s considering majoring or minoring in music because his dream is to produce full-time. 

“I want to go as far as it can take me,” Declan said. “Music is hard for a job, even if you’re super talented — it takes a lot of luck.”

Ingram said that colleges like Rowan University or Drexel University offer degrees in audio engineering and the music business, but the market is oversaturated. However, with the New Jersey Film Commission and Netflix expanding in New Jersey, there’s room for producers to work on soundtracks and scores for TV and film, as well as mixing and mastering. He sees a promising future for Declan.

“Declan (and Ryan) are two of the most talented students I’ve had, especially at this early stage,” he said, noting they could be the next Ludwig Göransson, who has collaborated with huge names like Ryan Coogler and Childish Gambino. “They will continue to grow and experiment with different sounds and techniques. … They have the ear for sound, understanding mixing and what works together.”

Ingram — himself an artist, producer and engineer — is teaching 150 students across seven classes this year about relevant topics like studio software, live recording, professional tools, replacing audio for film, making an independent album, and podcasting. 

He also teaches students about the business side of the music industry: future musicians need to study the rules and laws behind sampling, royalties, publishing and copyrighting — and everyone should start out with a nest egg since it’s tough to make money.

The program has been available for the past 13 years, with Ingram involved for 12.

Students can join the three-year program at any point in their high school career. Younger musicians can work toward college credit at Stockton University or Camden County College, while seniors can pursue independent study work.

“Music can inspire you to do things you want that aren’t music related. Music is a great motivator. Music can change your perspective.

Music can impact you in the way you view the world,” Declan said.

Ingram added that music is like therapy: “You find solace and peace creating and taking that hurt and energy and making it into something special.”

To hear some of Declan’s beats, visit his Instagram@prod3dxmn.