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SUNY Potsdam to Host 'The Sound of Disney Animation' with Re-Recording Mixer David Fluhr '79 on April 23

Surround-Sound and Sing-Alongs Collide as Acclaimed Sound Mixer David Fluhr '79 Returns to SUNY Potsdam's Crane School of Music

Potsdam, NY (04/15/2026) — SUNY Potsdam is set to welcome acclaimed sound mixer David E. Fluhr (Hon. '79) back to campus next week for a free, immersive surround-sound event featuring highlights from his work at Walt Disney Animation Studios.

"The Sound of Disney Animation" will be presented on Thursday, April 23 at 6 p.m., in the Helen M. Hosmer Concert Hall at SUNY Potsdam's Crane School of Music. During this one-night-only presentation, Fluhr will share signature moments in shaping the sound of beloved Disney films, and discuss his journey from The Crane School of Music to a four-decade career in film and television.

Fluhr has worked on every Walt Disney Animation Studios feature since "Chicken Little" in 2004, including titles such as "Frozen," "Moana," "Encanto," "Wreck-It Ralph" and "Zootopia."

Designed for audiences of all ages, the event offers an interactive experience where attendees are invited to sing along while learning how iconic Disney sounds and music are created.

The event is free and open to the public, and a reception with light refreshments will follow. While walk-ins are welcome, guests are encouraged to reserve tickets in advance to assist with event planning.

Reserve free tickets online: "The Sound of Disney Animation" with David Fluhr '79

About David Fluhr:

Fluhr has mixed most all genres of television, film and music during his career, and has been mixing for Walt Disney Animation Studios since 2004. He developed and implemented Disney Animation's proprietary Dolby Atmos post-production workflows, and the custom worldwide foreign language dubbing workflow. He is a former two-term Governor of the Sound Branch of the Television Academy, a member of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences Sound Branch, and a former two-term president of the Cinema Audio Society, for which he has been a board member since 1986. He has earned multiple Emmys and Cinema Audio Society awards, amongst dozens more nominations and other sound recognitions.

Fluhr was presented with an honorary doctorate from the State University of New York in a private ceremony on Jan. 21 held at the Burny Mattinson Theater at Walt Disney Animation Studios in Burbank, Calif. Family, colleagues, alumni and friends from SUNY Potsdam and Disney Animation gathered to celebrate his exceptional fourdecade career shaping the sound of some of the world's most beloved films. This is his first visit back to campus since receiving the honor.

Fluhr's Potsdam talk is a LoKo Arts project, made possible by the generosity and artistic vision of Kathryn (Kofoed) Lougheed '54 and Donald Lougheed (Hon. '54).

About SUNY Potsdam:

Founded in 1816, The State University of New York at Potsdam is one of America's first 50 colleges -- and the oldest institution within SUNY. Now in its third century, SUNY Potsdam is distinguished by a legacy of pioneering programs and educational excellence. The College currently enrolls approximately 2,500 undergraduate and graduate students. Home to the world-renowned Crane School of Music, SUNY Potsdam is known for its challenging liberal arts and sciences core, distinction in teacher training and culture of creativity. To learn more, visit www.potsdam.edu.

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Media Attachments

A man poses for a photo at a sound mixing station.

David Fluhr (Hon. ’79) will lead a free surround-sound experience, “The Sound of Disney Animation,” at SUNY Potsdam’s Crane School of Music on Thursday, April 23 at 6 p.m., in the Helen M. Hosmer Concert Hall.

A man at a mixing board looks at a plush version of Olaf from the Disney movie "Frozen."

David Fluhr peers at Olaf from "Frozen" at his mixing board at Walt Disney Animation Studios (Submitted photo).

Person at a sound mixing board.

David Fluhr mixes at Abbey Road Studios in London.

Image of a sound mixing station with a large screen in the background, showing a still image of the Disney Animation title screen.

David Fluhr’s mixing pod at Walt Disney Animation Studios, where he has helped to shape the sound of films since 2004 (Submitted photo).

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