Richard Cadena

From a very young age, I admired Leonardo da Vinci and I was fascinated by the way he blended art and technology. I tried to emulate him by carrying a sketch pad and learning to play music, starting with the violin, then drums, guitar, piano, and bass. In my teens I began experimenting with electronics and audio recording by dubbing multiple tracks on a stereo cassette recorder using a well-placed piece of Scotch tape. I always wanted to be a recording engineer but it wasn't to be. I ended up studying electrical engineering at the University of Texas in Austin but rather than work for Dell or IBM, I went to work for Blackstone Audio Visual, which became High End Systems one year later. After getting laid off at High End, I did a short stint with Martin Professional and the ill-fated Hubbell Entertainment, then began following a path that led to writing books and magazine articles, practicing freelance lighting design, consulting, and teaching classes and workshops.

After I wrote “Automated Lighting: The Art and Science of Moving Light,” I started getting calls to teach classes, and that led to more classes. After teaching Entertainment Electrics for two years, I wrote “Electricity for the Entertainment Electrician & Technician.” “Lighting Design for Modern Houses of Worship” was written after spending several years lighting churches and touring with contemporary Christian bands.

Today, I am an ETCP Certified Entertainment Electrician and an ETCP Recognized Trainer, and I write a column called “Video Matters” for Lighting and Sound America and Lighting and Sound International, another called “Technology Focus” for Lighting  and Sound International, and a third called “Shadow, Light, and Truth” for Protocol magazine. When I'm not traveling usually start my day by riding my bicycle to and from yoga class and I like to end my day by spending time with my wife Lisa and my daughter Joanna.