Cari Cole Voice & Music is one of New York's premier Artist Development companies.  In the heart of New York City, Cari Cole Voice & Music has been passionately guiding, mentoring and developing artists over the past two decades. Singers and vocalists from all over the world come to us to fine tune and hone their craft  becoming better and more successful artists. We have the tools to take you from any point in your career to a more fully expressed artistry.  From a young aspiring singer who has dreams of becoming a pop star, to an independent or signed artist, Cari Cole mentors guides and shapes artists to become better singers and writers, increasing their chances of attracting the careers they desire.  

In private one-on-one sessions and in group classes/workshops you'll find everything from vocal technique and style to deepening your performance, songwriting craft, as well as full recording and production services and talented producers, including Grammy winners.  We customize programs for each artist.  Take a look at our offerings and set up an Introductory Session. We'll get you on the right track with all the tools and resources you need at your fingertips.

• vocal technique, vocal coaching and health
• songwriting
• music theory
• performance
• piano and guitar instruction
• mentoring and guidance
• free career consults 
• free artist showcases and events
• production/creative services for recording projects
  

Call 212-532-0828 to set up a consultation with Cari Cole.  

Want a mentor to guide you through the music business?  Click here for information on a private mentorship with Cari Cole

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Developing Artists Blog..

by Cari Cole

While there are several vocal studios that teach singers how to use their instrument, there are very few that provide an environment to nurture the artist and foster growth and development.  I’ve been developing artists for many years now in the heart of New York City and have worked with literally thousands of aspiring artists. Helping artists find themselves artistically is one of the key inspirations of my daily work. My life has been dedicated to being a musician, singer and songwriter and as I have walked this path, I have helped many other artists walk theirs.  Over the past 10 years, I have acquired a team of very talented musicians, coaches, record producers and other songwriters, to and create a place in NYC where talent is shaped, produced and nurtured.

While a lot of singers come to me for the vocal technique, there are many who are looking for guidance with their music and careers.  Many young singers come to me for help with their songs and style.  We start to write songs with them and start the recording process. Through our various workshops they build their performance skills and learn about the industry.  Through our showcases they build new confidence, a wider audience and get exposure.  Some artists are ready to record and we take on production projects, with great results.  Sometimes we are working with an established artist to renew confidence in their craft or to reinvent their style, message or sometimes to just help them to return to themselves.  Sometimes when artists have been in the industry for a while, and repeatedly told what they should do, they can lose sight of their natural instincts and individual craft.    

So everyone’s telling you record a CD and sell it on the Internet and you too can have your chance at stardom!  But how are you going to put that all together?  Where do you find the right musicians and writers to work with?  And what about finding a producer who isn’t just in it for the money?  How can you find people that will help you and not break your wallet?  Are you even ready to do that yet?  Are your songs ready to record? What if you already have a CD or two - then what?  How can you reach out and connect with your audience and become successful?

Lets say for an example that in this process of being an artist there are two major aspects to focus on.  Business and artistry.  Both are equally important. The two are interconnected but are completely different energies!  Today because artists are more business conscious, there is a stronger focus on the "business"side of things. That’s good because you can have a stronger hold of your career decisions.  But what about the "artistic" side of the craft?  Just as business is crucial to your progress, developing your artistic vision could put you on the road to attracting key players much faster!  There are a lot of good voices out there, but how often do you come across a great artist?  If you haven’t nurtured the artist in you, you may leave your greatest offerings to be undiscovered even to yourself!  

Three things have to come into place before it is time to talk industry. 

Artist Development:
1. Your voice
2. Your songs
3. Your music/product

Without a good expressive voice and without good songs, no matter what your friends and family tell you, you are still at square one. 

Step one is improving your voice.  Vocal technique is the way to go to set up the foundation of your vocal instrument first. Having a natural ear is super important for starters.  I insist that all singers play at least one instrument - it helps to develop one's ear and understanding of music. Before I started vocal training, I played an instrument from the age of 6 and had a well developed ear.  I also sang before I trained but knew that training would bring so much more - which it did. I wanted to do more with my voice and set out to learn technique through vocal lessons.  Little did I know at the time, that it would become a profession for me.  As I started to train I was amazed at how much I improved the strength and sound of my instrument. I gained a tremendous respect for vocal pedagogy and exercises.  In my opinion, every great singer can use training to help them expand their vocal ability and control of their sound.  Without a great voice you can't convey your songs effectively, so that is the first step for sure. The level is to develop your artistry  as a singer. Developing phrasing and style are equally important elements of a singer's "sound". Each singer must learn to sing with their own authentic voice that is unique to them. One accomplishes this not by copying other singer's voices but having the courage to step out and sing from your heart. Only then does a singer arrive at their own sound.

Step two is writing better songs.  Get a songwriting book, take a songwriting class, get a songwriting mentor.  My favorite book to date is "Six Steps to Songwriting Success", by Jason Blume.  There are lots of great classes out there!  Our songwriting one-on-one private classes are special because they are specifically designed for singers who want to write better songs. We help you hone your lyrics, melodies and music in private sessions and teach you by co-writing with you. The process of developing as an artist always starts with writing.  As the songs emerge, the vision of the artist becomes clearer and the larger picture starts to unfold.  It is not enough to have "good" songs, in order to break through as a new artist, your songs must be "extraordinary".  Songwriting is a lifelong craft, start developing yours!

Step three is production. Once your voice and songs are ready it's time to work with musicians and/or a record producer.  Depending on your budget there are a variety of options.  I have relationships with many top producers in NY who have worked with record labels and well-known artists. and I also produce certain artists that are a fit for my style of production.  We also connect our artists with producers that are a good fit for them when their voice and songs are ready to go.  

For artists who have records released in the marketplace, we work on keeping your voice in top shape and avoid injury as well as help you continue to be artistically creative in your career.  I help artists connect more deeply to their audience and deepen their craft.  Embarking on a path of inquiry and exploration, together we find creativity and talents that may have remained hidden or unexposed.  Sometimes it’s as simple as providing a space that is free from the pressures of the "business" that will open things up and get art flowing.  Sometimes it’s about letting go of concepts and images to fall into the void of nothingness, from which to create again.  Sometimes it’s about opening up new doorways of sounds and chords.  Sometimes we have to feed our ears with new music and expand the chords we use.  Sometimes we write new melodies or vocal lines playing with approaches and sounds to stimulate new ideas.  Creating music is like growing a garden.  It needs constant nurturing and attention.  You’ll take away as much as you put in. 

At my voice studio I foster the independent artist with a surplus of services, tools, support and pathways. My mission is to create an environment where independent artists feel empowered to explore their music with no compromises, and help them connect the missing pieces in their careers.  From developing new artists to empowering existing artists, it is my desire to expose and promote the many extraordinary singers, songwriters and bands that I encounter on a daily basis.

Business for the independent artist today is a large part of what we need to do.  With the Internet at our fingertips we have fashioned a whole new world of distribution and exposure unimaginable years ago.  We now have a direct line to audiences and the possibilities are limitless.  Take some time to explore how to market your product through sites like MySpace, Tunecore, CD Baby and Google Ad words, which are transforming the way we connect with our audiences every day.  But without great art, what do we have to promote?  The founder of CD Baby, Derek Siver, just sent out an email telling us to turn off our computers and get back to writing music!  I’m with him!

For those of you who are interested in probing further and continuing this conversation, I invite you to set up an appointment with me. First, pick up the phone and let's have a conversation.  I'll take a look at your work and see if you have a talent to nurture artistically and creatively.  The first thing is to take a look at the two aspects of "business" and "artistry" and then work together to bring together the bigger picture.  

Artistry:
1. Your voice
2. Your songs
3. Your music

Business:
4. Your presentation
5. Your team
6. Your strategy

If you are an artist who is just starting out, come and let yourself be inspired by those who are ahead of you. You will be so inspired to move forward to your next steps!
 
Yours in voice and music,

Cari  Cole