Greg Lukens profiled in The Gazette

His sound-sensing skills resonate

by Erin Uy, Staff Writer
Feb. 16, 2005
Photo of Greg by David S. Spence/The Gazette

The following article appeared in The Gazette February 16th:

Greg Lukens, blind since eighth grade, reached for a mouse next to his computer and turned up the volume of the two speakers on his desk.

"Close your eyes and you can see David Wilcox singing in his kitchen where he recorded this song," Lukens said.

Most people can't see what Lukens can, but his ability to "hear in 3-D" allows him to produce some of the area's best sound systems at area concert venues.

Lukens, 54, of Wheaton, who was blinded after a mini-bike accident, can see a person's smile and the twinkle in their eyes just by hearing the tone of their voice and the sound of their laugh.

Lukens can even walk into a room and see as much, if not more than what "the sighted" can see. "I listen to the sound of the space and the environment that we have to move the sound and video through," he said.

As vice president of Wheaton-based Washington Professional Systems, his keen hearing, combined with his talent for technology, has allowed Lukens to help guide the company -- owned by the well- known Chuck Levin family -- into becoming one of the top audio and video systems integrators.

Some of Lukens' work can be found at the Barns of Wolf Trap in Vienna, Va., and the Birchmere Music Hall in Alexandria, Va. Both venues are highly regarded by musicians for their sound quality.

Lukens also has worked on the Eisenhower Theatre at the Kennedy Center and the Daughters of the American Revolution Constitution Hall, both in Washington, D.C.; and a new facility, Rams Head Live in Baltimore. That project was $1.5 million of work.

Lukens, with his 35 years of experience, and a staff of 50 use top equipment like JBL speakers, Crown amps and Whirlwind cables to put together notable sound systems.

By just walking through a concert venue, Lukens can tell what systems work best and where they should go, said Bob Grimes, production manager at the Barns of Wolf Trap.

Read the full article here: www.gazette.net/200507/ wheaton/news/260354-1.html

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