“I grew up in a military family in East Germany, so music happened very early in my childhood; it was my hobby,” said Galanin, who also teaches guitar at MSU Community Music School. “I officially started studying music when I was 12.”

In the past 13 years, Galanin has been involved with academic programs at MSU, where he has concentrated on composing jazz, orchestral and electronic music and on receiving his doctoral degree in music composition. He also attended Cleveland State University and the University of Maine, where he became more interested in electronic and contemporary music as well as production.

Galanin has taken this experience and used it in his teachings at MSU Community Music School. For seven years, Galanin has offered guitar lessons and helped students with multiple music interests.

“I received a (bachelor’s) degree in arranging and guitar and a master’s in guitar performance at MSU, which has definitely helped my teaching abilities,” Galanin said.

Since he prospered as a performer and had his compositions travel throughout the U.S., Australia and Eastern Europe, Galanin said he wanted to try producing.

“I started working in clubs and bars and wanted to learn more about electronic music and production, which wasn’t easy because I had to study all types of music,” Galanin said. “Music seems learned but it’s a higher power, which you can always explore.”

JFMARS encompasses a calm studio, resembling a Zen garden with ponds and gardens, complete with DVD and audio production rooms, practice rooms, recording rooms, acoustic environments and control areas.

“We teach many students and also accommodate artists, since we are involved in a variety of production means here at the studio,” executive manager Joseph McSweeney said. “Our studio likes to keep a relaxed atmosphere to help the musicians.”

Galanin’s hard work has been recognized by the customers who have worked with him — most notably former 8th District Congressional race contender Bob Alexander’s operations manager, Michael Masterson.

“We needed four, five short videos with a voiceover for Alexander’s congressional campaign, and the JFMARS staff was there immediately ready to work … and by that night, they finished three edited videos already,” Masterson said.

“Oleg is the brain behind the equipment and has a lot of passion and talent for his job.”