Women in Pro Audio: Kseniia Sokolova Women in Pro Audio: Kseniia Sokolova...
When it comes to massive sound systems, mixing consoles, and live performances, women’s voices are increasingly reshaping the pro audio and live sound industry. Providing a platform for their stories does more than just document the achievements of women in pro audio—it illuminates pathways for future generations and challenges long-held assumptions about who belongs behind the mixing board. As these professionals share their stories of persistence, they demonstrate that diversity in pro audio isn’t just about representation—it’s about enriching the industry with fresh perspectives and untapped talent.
Meet Kseniia
Among these sound professionals is Kseniia Sokolova, who started as a classical pianist and became an international audio expert. Currently working in and based in Dubai and Kazakhstan, Kseniia has established herself as a respected sound and system engineer who desires to work all around the globe.
From Classical Piano to Sound Engineering
Born in Leningrad (now Saint-Petersburg), Russia, Kseniia’s musical roots run deep. A classically trained pianist for nearly 15 years, she graduated from the Saint-Petersburg Musical College of Rimsky-Korsakov before later completing her studies at the Institute of Cinema and TV as a sound engineer.
“I was a classical musician and played the piano for almost fifteen years. Every day, I spent hours in piano lessons, performed at concerts, traveled extensively, and participated in various musical competitions—almost always returning with awards. I could never have imagined that one day I’d be working with technical equipment, spending nights on setups, and collaborating with musicians from the other side of the stage.”
Kseniia’s passion changed. “When I was about nineteen, I began to feel a lack of inspiration to grow. I didn’t know how to expand my talent or evolve my experience, and I realized that playing the piano was no longer my life’s purpose. It was an incredibly difficult decision to step away from the piano, especially since I had no clear idea of what I wanted to do next. However, I decided to pursue something connected to music and creativity, so I enrolled in a university to study sound engineering.”
Entering the Pro Audio Industry
Her entry into pro audio came through an unexpected opportunity. “One day, I met someone who took a chance on me, despite the industry stereotypes and introduced me to the world of live sound at a rental company. The first event I worked on as a technician was the renowned Saint Petersburg event, Scarlet Sails.” This massive show, held in Palace Square, attracts over two million attendees and features a huge stage, a state-of-the-art sound system, famous artists, and a live TV broadcast. “I was instantly captivated—it was love at first sight. That was the moment I realized what I wanted to do with my life,” Kseniia recounts.
“At the time, I knew nothing about the rental industry, equipment, or sound engineering. But I watched the sound engineers in awe and dreamed of standing in their place one day. And, eventually, I did. Eight years later, I returned to Scarlet Sails as part of the sound engineering team from a rental company. I worked on that show for several years in a row, fulfilling the dream I once thought impossible.”
Women in Pro Audio: Breaking Barriers
Breaking into the male-dominated industry required determination and resilience. “I had to prove that I was truly committed to achieving my ultimate goal. While I was a student, I balanced studying with work, taking on roles as a sound engineer in a theater and a technician at a rental company. Later, I moved to Moscow and began working for the largest rental company in Russia. I did the same demanding tasks as the rest of the team—loading and unloading trucks, running heavy power cables, lifting cases, and hanging speakers. I also worked in the warehouse, repairing equipment and preparing it for upcoming shows.”
Despite the long hours and physical work, Kseniia never lost sight of her dream. “After finishing a show—whether after a full day’s shift, late at night, or on my days off—I would head to the warehouse. There, I opened consoles, amplifiers, and processors, exploring anything that piqued my curiosity. I spent countless hours learning new software, reading manuals, and expanding my knowledge and skills.”
Anything You Can Do, I Can Do
Kseniia was intent on proving that she could perform the same physically demanding tasks as her male counterparts.
“Sometimes I faced distrust,” she says of the challenges she faced as a woman. “When a new team saw me for the first time, I had to prove that I was serious about working in the rental company. I needed to show them that I wasn’t just there to learn, grow, and gain experience but that I was also ready to take on the hard, dirty, and routine work.”
Kseniia continues, “It wasn’t easy knowing that people were watching and evaluating my every move, but it strengthened me and fueled my determination to become a confident professional. I believe many people experience this when starting in a new workplace, but as a woman, the pressure feels twice as intense. However, I knew my efforts were worth it, and I was on the right path when I started arriving at job sites, and people greeted me with phrases like, “Now we’re at peace. We see you here,’ which means the show will run smoothly.”
For Kseniia, “That’s the greatest reward and yet another reason to keep moving forward.”
It’s Not for Everyone
It’s true that there aren’t many women in pro audio and related technical fields. When Kseniia shared her thoughts on this, she was very candid.
“This isn’t an office job. You won’t clock out at 6 p.m., and you won’t always have Saturdays off. You have to be ready to get your hands dirty and, quite literally, “break your nails.” I’ve seen women walk off a site after their first day, never to return, because they didn’t expect that kind of demanding environment. But I’ve also seen men do the same—leaving halfway through the day and never coming back.”
She continues, “I don’t think the goal should be to bring more women into the industry just to boost numbers. This field requires certain qualities, and you should only pursue it if it’s your true passion. That’s the only way to enjoy the process and contribute to creating amazing shows. When you love what you do, that passion gives you the strength to overcome challenges, ultimately fostering a well-coordinated and friendly team.”
Adventures in Audio
Each show brings new challenges—and occasional surprises. Nature provided an unexpected twist during one high-profile event. “A few years ago, we worked on a regular event with the President. It was, as always, a very high-stakes event, but this time, it was different because of the location. It was in a remote village, far from the capital, with the site literally in the middle of nowhere.”
Given the level of importance, the AV team had a fully redundant system in place. “Every detail was perfect—each cable was tested multiple times, and there was absolutely no room for error. The team comprised the best of the best across sound, video, and lighting. It was a warm winter, around +2°C, and the event was outdoors. After several days of rehearsals, we were fully prepared.”
On the day of the show, the team woke up at 4 a.m. and headed to the site. “We entered the FOH tent—only to find dozens of tiny field mice. They were everywhere: on tables, consoles, laptops, running across keyboards, climbing up cables, and even jumping into the console cases. They’d made their way into racks and even into our coffee bags. These mice were tiny, each less than half the size of a palm!”
Kseniia continues: “For a moment, we froze in disbelief. Then chaos broke out—some team members took off their shoes, others grabbed whatever they could find, and everyone started trying to shoo or catch the mice. I stood there watching, thinking, ‘Oh no, we have a show in two hours—don’t damage anything!’ And have you ever heard men squeal? I have!”
The Importance of Sound
Kseniia is deeply committed to upholding exceptional sound quality in an era where visual elements often take center stage. She emphasizes that while modern productions captivate with stunning visuals, it is the power of sound that truly completes the experience, creating a lasting emotional connection with the audience.
“As someone who has worked on countless shows as a system engineer and sound engineer for a rental company, I’ve faced many challenges regarding sound design, speaker placement, and similar issues. Modern live shows have become more vibrant and technologically advanced, featuring incredible decorations, stunning screens with magical content, and breathtaking lighting,” she pauses, then continues. “However, I often hear things like, “We shouldn’t see the speakers,” or “There’s no space for the speakers,” and it’s frustrating. It takes a lot of time and effort to explain and prove that no matter how amazing the lights, visuals, and decorations are if the sound is poor, the entire show suffers. Sound is just as vital to the experience as lighting and video. To create the right impression on the audience, we need to engage all their senses.”
Kseniia always aims to find a compromise. “I offer multiple sound design options and work hard to find the best solution for everyone involved. But it can be challenging when people undervalue sound and see it as less important.
Why She Does It
Her love for the craft is evident. “My work is my biggest hobby, and I truly enjoy every part of the process, from the very beginning to the end of a show. When I receive the first documents, like venue schematics and drawings, it’s time to create. I pay close attention to every detail, ensuring I don’t miss even a single seat in the venue to deliver great sound to the entire audience. Sometimes, it’s really tricky due to decorations or site-specific challenges, but I find those moments exciting and rewarding.”
Kseniia also notes, “I love hanging speakers—something about it feels like meditation to me. I always tune the system, whether it’s a massive stadium with hundreds of speakers or a small room with just a ground stack. It doesn’t matter; it will be tuned, and I’ll do everything possible to achieve the best possible result.”
She notes that you can deliver more genuine emotions to the audience when you’re in sync with the band and the musicians. “If I’m at the front-of-house position, I always get goosebumps at the show’s start—when I hear the crowd, feel their reactions, and see how they respond. It’s unbelievable. And when I’m on stage, behind the monitor console, I understand that the mood of the performers depends on me, too. In those moments, I feel like I’m part of the show, living the performance alongside the band.”
The Future of Women in Pro Audio
Looking ahead, Kseniia hopes to see “more and more qualified specialists” in the field, creating “something special, immersive, and unusual for the audience with good sound.” Her story inspires aspiring sound engineers, regardless of gender, demonstrating that passion, dedication, and hard work can overcome any industry barriers. “My favorite shows are live shows. When I can feel the response from the big system, when I can feel the line array breathing, and when I can feel the audience. That’s my favorite thing. One of my dreams is to participate in a big live tour.”
To connect with Kseniia and see what she’s working on lately, find her on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn.
Read last month’s Women in Pro Audio interview here.