|
Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...
|
A student-run record label lives among classroom buildings at Woodside High School. 1.99 Records, named after the campus’s address on 199 Churchill Ave., is thriving with musicality as students gain an early footing in the music industry.
The club has been producing music, recording songs and performing live music on and off campus. Students are utilizing the school’s audio production classroom, which is fitted with a recording studio, professional mixing board and a computer lab.
Woodside High School junior and club co-president Camille Sonnenburg said she joined the club as a freshman with an interest in producing. At the time, students in the club would mostly work on their own projects and as a new student, Sonnenburg found it difficult to get involved.
In order to change the atmosphere, she pitched the idea of a record label to club adviser and audio production teacher Raphael Kauffmann with the goal to encourage more collaboration and community among students.
To launch the record label, Sonnenburg partnered with Ayla Defouw, a Woodside High School student, to record an original song she had heard her sing in an Instagram video. In May 2024, Defouw’s song “Sound of a Hurricane,” became the first song released by 1.99 Records.
Co-president and senior Kash Hodges said the song was an “amalgamation of several different groups” on campus. The club recruited musicians from the music department to record instrumentals and collaborated with the video class to film a music video.
The club is a place for any student with a musical interest to bring their ideas into fruition, said Hodges.
Over the last year, the club has transformed. This school year, the club has already performed several shows and performers are preparing to play at PV Palooza again, said Kauffmann. The music production club will also be hosting a Tiny Desk show on May 2 in the school library, inspired by NPR’s popular Tiny Desk concert series.
Kauffmann, who has years of experience performing in bands, said he is inspired and motivated by his students. “It keeps me engaged in a way beyond my curriculum. I don’t want to bring them along with me. I’d rather go along with them and let them lead,” he added.
Hodges, who plays guitar, has been rehearsing with a band to perform at the upcoming Tiny Desk show. There will be five groups performing and each will be playing two songs, he said.
The club has also performed shows on campus in areas like the school’s loading dock, drawing crowds of students and support from teachers.
A future in music
The students involved in 1.99 Records are talented musicians, songwriters and producers with an interest in pursuing a future career in the industry. Sonnenburg said she prefers to be behind the scenes and wants to attend college for music business or production.
Hodges will be going to the University of California, Los Angeles, in the fall to major in biochemistry and minor in music industry. He said he doesn’t want to place all of his future bets onto music specifically but definitely wants to continue making music.
“I tell kids to pursue their passions,” said Kauffmann. “Academics are paramount, but without a passion, we also need to make life worth living. I think being passionate about something and finding something to be passionate about is part of that journey.”
Kauffmann worked in studios and performed with bands for 15 years before transitioning into teaching, he said. Many of his former students have gone on to pursue music. Some have started their own rap label, become producers, artists and tour managers.
“The students here are amazing, and it’s just really cool to come in here every day and see so many students walk in of their own free will just to play music and work on songs,” said Hodges.
Woodside man and dog injured in hit-and-run on dangerous stretch of Woodside RoadMarch 19, 2026 10:39 am
Police arrest woman for stealing mail, credit cards from Menlo Park apartment complexMarch 19, 2026 10:23 am