IN THE NEWS
Variety Magazine: “Cynthia Erivo Reopens Plaza Theatre in Palm Springs With Bravura Performance, After Regaining Lost Voice in the Nick of Time: Concert Review” - 2025
Los Angles Times: “A desert theater’s comeback: Palm Springs historic treasure reopens after $34-million renovation” - 2025
Chicago Reader: "Classick Studios expands into the Soundscape space" - 2023
InsideHook: "What Will Chicago’s Music Scene Look Like After Coronavirus?", 2020
Vice: "Coronavirus Has Left Recording Studios in Limbo", 2020
ABC7 News: “Chicago recording studio helps local musicians create music, make money amid COVID-19”, 2020
Michigan Avenue Magazine: “Insider Info”, 2020
Fox 32 Chicago: “Sonic Summit 2020 teaches professional recording for audiophiles of all levels”, 2020
WGN TV: “Around Town visits Soundscape Studios to talk about Sonic Summit: 2020”, 2020
WCIU: “Inside the world of music”, 2020
Sophisticated Living Magazine: “Mark Your Calendar”, 2020
Dynasty Podcasts: “Chicagoverse - Michael Kolar (Soundscape Studios)”, 2020
Mild Sauce: “Mild Sauce Live with Mike Kolar of Soundscape Studios”, 2020
Consequence of Sound: "The Come Up: Closed Sessions", 2018
Chicago Tribune: “Chicago Artists of the Year”, 2016
Forbes Magazine: “Closed Sessions: The Independent Record Label Restoring Chicago Hip-Hop“, 2016
Chicago Tribune: "Chicago's Closed Session opens hip-hop doors", 2016
Redeye Chicago: "Where stars are born", 2014
dailymotion: “Curren$y's Intimate Studio Session in The Windy City- On The Road”, 2013
Chicago Reader: "Closed Sessions opens up Chicago hip-hop", 2012
AWARDS
SAE Institute: "Production Specialist of the Year”, 2019
Michael Kolar has garnered over 1 billion streams worldwide of his recordings and mixes
Kid Cudi: “Man on the Moon 2, The Legend of Mr. Rager”, Platinum RIAA album sales award
Chingy: "Powerballin", Platinum RIAA album sales award
Chingy: "Hoodstar", Gold RIAA album sales award
Ludacris: "Georgia", Gold RIAA single sales award
Ludacris: "Red Light District", 2x Multi-Platinum album RIAA sales award
Ludacris: "Presents Disturbing tha Peace", Gold RIAA album sales award
Ludacris: "Release Therapy", Platinum RIAA Album sales award
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
Tour Assistant + Sound Engineer: George Clinton & Parliament Funkadelic, 2001-2002
Vice President: Engineering and Recording Society of Chicago (EARS), 2007-2009
Co-founder: Closed Sessions, 2009-2021
Founder + Head Engineer: Soundscape Recording Studios, 1997-Present
AFFILIATIONS
Voting Member Since 2010: The National Academy of Recording Arts & Sciences (The Recording Academy)
Professional Member: The Engineering And Recording Society of Chicago (EARS)
Member: Audio Engineering Society (AES)
Member: National Association of Music Merchants (NAMM)
Professional Advisory Committee Member (2017 to 2023): SAE Institute Chicago
SPEAKING + PRESENTATIONS
Grammy U Mentorship Program, 2020–2025, 1-on-1 Mentorship (both in person and via Zoom)
“Industrial Music Made Everything Better”, The Post Punk and Industrial Museum, 2025, Speaker/Panelist
“Best Practices When Choosing a Manager”, Cal-State Polytechnic, 2025, Lecturer
Columbia College Chicago, various dates/classes, 2015–2022, Substitute Teacher & Guest Speaker
Chicago Ideas Conference, Chicago Ideas Week, 2019, Lab Host Creator & Presenter
Chicago Chapter, Grammy U, 2014–2019, Various “Hands-On” Educational Workshops
“MONDAYS”, Gensler Architecture (Chicago Office), 2019, Presenter/Speaker
Apple Talk for Apple Music Month, Apple Michigan Avenue, 2015, Presenter/Speaker
EDUCATION
Columbia College Chicago: BA, Audio Arts & Acoustics
KOLAR AT WORK
WEB DESIGN: SITES BY SIX4