Extending its reach to Mainland China, Spain, Italy and the Middle East, the WSDG-Walters-Storyk Design Group has made five appointments.

Víctor Cañellas, an acousmatic sinologist and Su Weilie, a respected architect/interior designer will represent WSDG throughout China, and also participate in the creative and technical acoustic aspects of projects thatthey initiate for WSDG. Lluis Moreno has been named representative in Spain; Giulio Curà, will rep the firm in Italy, Federico Petrone will cover Buenos Aires, and Jesus Cardoso will serve Mexico.

Cañellas has been a successful acoustician/sound designer in China since 2003. His expertise in developing acoustic interfaces for visual arts in performance venues contributed to the Park19 and Loft345 clubs in Guangzhou and the La Fura dels Baus in Beijing. He also served with Jocaui Acoustic Panels and Soundbox Acoustic Tech. His knowledge of ‘Eastern thought and logics’ provides a foundation for his role with WSDG.

Weilie is a Guangzhou native who studied Construction Engineering at Hunan Institute of Technology and Architecture, and City Planning at Wuhan University of Technology. In 1990 he joined the Panyu Bridge Group Company and participated in the design of the Nansha Tian Hou Temple restoration project. In 1994 he worked on the Guangzhou Olympic Garden, Panyu Museum. He has worked on the Guangzhou Natural Park development, and on luxury hotel, office and historical building projects.

‘WSDG has already collaborated on formidable projects in China,’ says WSDG Co-Principal/Director of New Business Development, Sergio Molho. ‘We provided acoustic design programs for Beijing’s 7 Star Morgan Hotel, Hong Kong’s luxurious Metroplex, multiplex cinema and, pop star, Hins Cheung’s Village Studio complex in Guangzhou. These ventures convinced us of China’s growing need for sophisticated acoustic architectural analysis, prediction and design. Our new team of experts will help us provide full service solutions for a wide range of projects in China.

New WSDG rep Lluís Moreno was a successful live sound engineer, before starting his own rep business in 1993. Based in Barcelona, he worked with such US companies as Sam Ash, Guitar Center, Ace Music and Mars Music, and leading Japanese music stores. A14-year relationship with Universal Audio increased his digital recording expertise. In 2005 he co-founded Mas Acoustics with WSDG Project Engineer, Marc Viadiu, who also represents WSDG in Africa and the Middle East. Moreno and Viadiu quickly established Mas Acoustics as one Spain’s leading acoustics solutions firms. In 2008 they joined engineer, Giulio Curà to form an Italian acoustics consultancy.

Curà studied Electronic Engineering at University of Pisa and University of Bologna, going on to work as a sound engineer for studio sessions, live performances and broadcast events. In 2009 he joined Mas Acoustics in Italy as an acoustic designer, consultant, commercial manager, and specialist in studio design and noise control. Based in Florence, Curà is fluent in Italian, English and Spanish.

Jesus Cardoso is a classically trained musician and award-winning, composer whose interest in audio engineering and cutting edge technology led him to establish Audio Gate International, one of Mexico’s most successful pro audio distribution/systems integration firms. His knowledge of the country’s studios, and close relationships with artists, producers, engineers and studio owners will be valuable assets in bringing WSDG to the attention of this important market. Working with Cardoso is Project Engineer Javier Vyero Villarroel.

Federico Petrone earned Degrees in Contemporary Music and Audivisual Communications in Argentina, becoming lead audio engineer for Disney Cruise Lines, and then joining WSDG in 2007 as Audiovisual Systems Designer/Chief Installer.

‘WSDG has a long history of successful international relationships, and we have maintained fully staffed offices in Buenos Aires, Belo Horizonte, and Basel, for many years,’ Molho says. ‘Each of our offices is staffed by specialists with exceptional skills in acoustic measurement and isolation, systems integration, construction management, CAD and related proficiencies. Cumulatively they represent an invaluable talent pool. Our world-wide clients benefit immeasurably from this comprehensive resource.’