Ayesha Lye is a sound recordist and producer specializing in dialogue tracks for film, TV, web, radio and podcasts. They have years of experience recording clear and compelling audio for documentary, narrative and experimental works.
They started their career as a producer for CBC Radio, working on such programs as Metro Morning, As It Happens, and Cross Country Checkup. They have worked on many narrative, commercial and documentary films in the Toronto indie film industry.
They have a strong reputation as a friendly and inspiring organizer, leading their teams towards socially-conscious and community-oriented media production.
Education
B.A. (Hons.) Trent University
Graduated 2015 on the Dean’s Honour Roll
Majored in International Development Studies and Anthropology
Media experience
Freelance sound technician
June 2019 – present
I am as a freelance sound recordist for film, TV and podcasts. I am a technician with my own kit and experience delivering highly organized sound files. Full list of credits attached.
Director, writer, producer
December 2023 – present
Lye is a burgeoning filmmaker, learning the ropes for directing, writing, and producing their own independent productions. Currently they are developing scripts for both documentary and narrative fiction films.
Sound artist
October 2016 – present
I am a sound composer working primarily with field recordings and interviews to create art pieces that reflect on topics such as the sense of self, the self among others, honesty and the capacity for sound to resonate in memory. I have participated in several group showings, including the LUCIA sound festival in Italy, and a residency at New Adventures in Sound Art in 2020.
Audio producer & consultant
June 2019 – 2022
As a consultant, I prepared advice and insight into podcast industry trends, story structure and podcast convention, and collaborated with the teams to achieve project goals. Past clients include The Sick Kids Foundation, The Conversation Canada, CHUO-FM, and the Pinnguaq Association.
Journalist
March 2019 – 2023
I prepared reporting for outlets such as CBC Radio, Broadview Magazine, and Electric City Magazine. I am also a tape sync producer for podcasts and radio; I have produced episodes for The Economist, NPR, CBC, and more.
Publisher & co-founder Peterborough Currents
September 2017 – November 2022
I co-founded the Peterborough Currents podcast in 2017. In January 2020, we re-launched as a business. By the time I left Currents, I had helped build over $4,000 of monthly sponsorship and audience revenue by working with colleagues to publish hard-hitting investigative news.
Founding director Peterborough Independent Podcasters
September 2016 – July 2022
In 2016, I founded Peterborough Independent Podcasters, a not-for-profit organization with that brought together a community of podcasters and audio enthusiasts.
Producer CBC Radio & CBC Podcasts
May 2015 – June 2019
In May 2015, I received the prestigious Gzowski internship at CBC Radio, which developed into a four-year stint working as a radio and podcast producer on such shows as Cross Country Checkup, Day 6, Ontario Morning, The Next Chapter, Podcast Playlist, and Front Burner. I was lead producer on several special assignments including The Next 150 podcast, a holiday special called The Disclosure Dilemma, and a promotional project called Being Black in Canada.
Producing Credits
Films
Ayesha Lye & Zachary Barmania (Writers & directors). 2024. The Comeback of Eugenia St. Clair [Short film]. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pl3Xm5P2etc
Books
Brazil Gaffney-Knox (Writer & illustrator), Will Pearson (Reporter), Ayesha Barmania (Editor). 2022. Creek Week [Pamphlets]. Peterborough Currents. ISBN 978-1-7782943-0-3 https://peterboroughcurrents.ca/creek-week/now-in-print-our-local-creek-walking-guides/
Podcast series
Ayesha Barmania (Producer & host). 2016-present. Sounds Like Life [Audio podcast]. https://soundslikelife.ptbopodcasters.ca/
Ayesha Barmania, Will Pearson (Producers & hosts). 2022. Provincial election 2022 [Audio podcast]. Peterborough Currents. https://peterboroughcurrents.ca/tag/provincial-election-2022/
Ayesha Barmania, Will Pearson (Producers & hosts). 2021. Federal election 2021 [Audio podcast]. Peterborough Currents. https://peterboroughcurrents.ca/tag/federal-election-2021/
Ayesha Barmania, Will Pearson (Producers & hosts). 2021. Budget Week [Audio podcast]. Peterborough Currents. https://peterboroughcurrents.ca/series/budget-week/
Ayesha Barmania, Will Pearson (Producers & hosts). 2021. Neighbours [Audio podcast]. Peterborough Currents. https://peterboroughcurrents.ca/series/neighbours/
Ayesha Barmania, Will Pearson (Producers & hosts). 2017-2019. Peterborough Currents podcast [Audio podcast]. Peterborough Currents. https://peterboroughcurrents.ca/series/peterborough-currents-podcast-archives/
Ayesha Barmania (Producer), Angeline Tetteh-Wayoe (Host), Cesil Fernandes (Senior producer). 2017. The Next 150 [Audio podcast]. CBC Podcasts. https://www.cbc.ca/radio/podcasts/arts-culture/the-next-150/
Radio shows
Ayesha Barmania & Jeffrey Moore (Hosts). May – Aug. 2022. Trust Us We’re Right About This. [Radio show]. Trent Radio.
Ayesha Barmania (Producer). Mar. – May 2020. Pandemic Update. [Radio show]. Trent Radio.
Ayesha Barmania (Producer). Sep. 2015 – May 2020. Sounds Like Life. [Radio show]. Trent Radio.
Devon Wilkins & Justin Evangelo (Host & Producers), Ayesha Barmania (Producer). Jan. 2020. Accessibility PSA series. [Radio segments]. Trent Radio.
Ayesha Barmania (Host & producer), Jeffrey Moore (Producer). Sep. 2018 – May 2019. Peterborough Currents [Radio show]. Trent Radio.
Ayesha Barmania (Host & producer). Sep. 2018 – May 2019. Peterborough Independent Podcasters Showcase [Radio show]. Trent Radio.
Ayesha Barmania (Producer), Joan Melanson (Executive producer). Jan. – Jun. 2017. The Walrus Talks: Conversations About Canada. [Syndicated audio segments] CBC Radio.
Ayesha Barmania (Producer). Jan. – May 2014. Esoterikos. [Radio show]. Trent Radio.
Other series & newsletters
Brazil Gaffney-Knox (Writer & illustrator), Will Pearson (Reporter), Ayesha Barmania (Editor). 2022. Creek Week [Email newsletter]. Peterborough Currents. https://peterboroughcurrents.ca/creek-week/creek-week-walking-guide/
Ayesha Barmania, Will Pearson, Brett Throop (Writers & editors). 2020-2022 News & Updates [Email newsletter]. Peterborough Currents. https://peterboroughcurrents.ca/newsletter/
Will Pearson, Ayesha Barmania (Writers & editors). 2020-2021. The Undercurrent [Email newsletter]. Peterborough Currents. https://peterboroughcurrents.ca/newsletter/
Ayesha Barmania, Will Pearson (Writers & editors). 2020. Peterborough Currents COVID-19 Newsletter [Email newsletter]. Peterborough Currents. https://peterboroughcurrents.ca/announcements/browse-our-covid-19-newsletter-archive/
Ayesha Barmania (Producer), Nick Davis (Executive producer). Oct. 2017 – Feb. 2019. Being Black in Canada [Curated content series]. CBC Diversity & Inclusion. www.cbc.ca/beingblackincanada
Ayesha Barmania, Bria John (Producers), Nick McCabe-Lokos (Executive producer). Jul. – Sep. 2017. WorkShift [Email newsletter]. CBC Radio.
Ayesha Barmania (Reporter), Pat Reddick & Matt Rappolt (Editors). Sep. 2014. Election Focus [Article series]. Arthur Newspaper.
Ayesha Barmania (Reporter), Pat Reddick & Matt Rappolt (Editors). Nov. 2014. Students & Media [Article series]. Arthur Newspaper.
Episodes
Vinh-Kim Nguyen (Guest), Ayesha Barmania (Producer), Nick McCabe-Lokos (Executive Producer), Jayme Poisson (Host). Apr. 23, 2019. “How mistrust and fear make fighting Ebola more difficult.” [Podcast episode]. Front Burner (CBC Podcasts). https://www.cbc.ca/radio/frontburner/how-mistrust-and-fear-make-fighting-ebola-more-difficult-1.5104946
Charles Rusnell and Jennie Russell (Guests), Ayesha Barmania (Producer), Nick McCabe-Lokos (Executive Producer), Jayme Poisson (Host). Mar. 19, 2019. “Inside Alberta’s ‘House of Cards’ scandal.” [Podcast episode]. Front Burner (CBC Podcasts). https://www.cbc.ca/radio/frontburner/inside-alberta-s-house-of-cards-scandal-1.5061918
Ayesha Barmania (Composer), Michelle Macklem and Jess Shane (Curators). Mar. 15, 2019. “quiet contemplations.” [Sound composition]. Constellations Sounds. https://constellationssounds.org/sounds/quiet-contemplations
Ayesha Barmania (Producer & Host). Oct. 13, 2018. “Meet the candidates for school board trustee running in the City of Peterborough.” [Podcast episode]. Peterborough Currents. https://peterboroughcurrents.ca/politics/special-coverage-of-the-2018-kprdsb-board-of-trustees-election/
Sheyfali Saujani (Host & Producer), Ayesha Barmania (Producer). Aug. 2017. “The Disclosure Dilemma.” [Radio special] CBC Radio. http://www.cbc.ca/radio/blogs/the-disclosure-dilemma-talking-about-disability-at-work-1.4277118
Ayesha Barmania (Reporter-producer), Marichka Melnyk (Senior producer). Dec. 28, 2016. “Those donkeys have real character.” [Audio documentary]. CBC Ontario Morning. https://soundcloud.com/abarmania/those-donkeys-have-real-character-primrose-donkey-sanctuary-doc
Ayesha Barmania (Composer). Oct. 13, 2016. “Trans-Canada Trail.” [Podcast episode]. Sounds Like Life. https://soundslikelife.ptbopodcasters.ca/podcast/episode-1-trans-canada-trail/
Ayesha Barmania (Composer). Oct. 3, 2016. “Bay & Bloor.” [Podcast episode]. Sounds Like Life. https://soundslikelife.ptbopodcasters.ca/podcast/episode-0-bay-bloor-trumpet/
Ayesha Barmania (Reporter-producer), Marichka Melnyk (Senior producer). Sep. 2015. “Manoomin // The Wild Rice Harvest.” [Audio documentary]. CBC Fresh Air. https://soundcloud.com/abarmania/manoomin-the-wild-rice-harvest
Ayesha Barmania, Andrew Sampson, Christine Coulter, Melissa Fundira (Producers & Hosts). Aug. 2015. “The Other Side of Addiction.” [Radio special]. CBC Radio. https://soundcloud.com/abarmania/the-other-side-of-addiction
Ayesha Barmania (Producer), Marichka Melnyk (Senior producer), Mary Ito (Host). Jun. 2015. “Healthy Parks, Healthy People.” [Audio documentary]. CBC Fresh Air. https://soundcloud.com/abarmania/healthy-parks-healthy-people
Ayesha Barmania (Producer), Sandy Mowat (Senior Producer), Wei Chen (Host). “The Gilmour Street Garage Sale.” [Audio documentary]. CBC Ontario Morning. https://soundcloud.com/abarmania/gilmour-street-garage-sale