In accordance with the principles of the present invention, an audio-conference bridging system and method are provided. The present invention discards the traditional notion of a single mixing function for a conference. Instead, the novel, flexible design of the present invention provides a separate mixing function for each participant in the conference. This new architecture is described generally herein as "EdgePoint mixing." EdgePoint mixing overcomes limitations of traditional conferencing systems by providing each participant control over his/her conference experience. EdgePoint mixing also allows, when desired, the simulation of a "real-life" conference by permitting each participant to receive a distinctly mixed audio signal from the conference depending on the speaker's "position" within a virtual conference world. The present invention also preferably accommodates participants of different qualities of service. Each participant, thus, is able to enjoy the highest-level conferencing experience that his/her own connection and equipment will permit.