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Art, Controversy and Censorship… How Influential are Artists?
“The discoverer of an art is not the best judge of the good or harm which will accrue to those who practice it……The introduction of a new kind of music must be shunned as imperiling the whole state; since styles of music are never disturbed without affecting the most important political institutions.” – PLATO Thousands of years before Lynne Cheney or Tipper Gore ever existed, Plato expressed his own concerns about the potential influence of artists. And there has been no shortage of leaders over the years who have shared and echoed these sentiments. In the nucleus of every art controversy lies the question: Does art change the world,…
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Vocal Therapy Tips for When the Show Must Go On
HOW TO SAVE YOUR VOICE WHEN THE SHOW MUST GO ON: VOCAL THERAPY TIPS FOR SPEAKERS AND PERFORMERS By Laura Kessler, M.M., CPC The voice is a powerful, yet vulnerable instrument that deserves the same respect and consideration as the knees or spine. The following are some simple guidelines and exercises I use with professional film actors, recording artists, public speakers and broadcasters faced with vocal hoarseness due to seasonal or lifestyle stressors. They are ideal for hotel rooms, before special events, or can be practiced daily to maintain vocal health. Enjoy! *** GOOD FOR VOCAL HEALTH: Hum with your mouth closed (this sends vibrations down your esophagus…
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Managing Stage Presence and Performance Anxiety
VIBE Magazine asked me to be their guest expert to critique a few performances by Frank Ocean, Nicki Minaj, and Jay-Z. Here is the article that was compiled by Seth Berkman: Seth Berkman interviews Performance Coach Laura Kessler for VIBE Magazine http://www.vibe.com/article/4-helpful-tips-artists-who-cant-perform *** For full entertainment and artistic performance offerings please visit our sister organization: https://musiccoaching.net (formerly http://entertainmentcareercoaching.com)
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The Artist As Entrepreneur
THE ENTREPRENEURIAL MINDSET: SELF RELIANCE & ACCOUNTABILITY My career coaching business grew out of the realization as a teacher that what holds most performers back from finding a career as an artist is not a lack of talent, but a lack of business and emotional intelligence. As well as fear: fear that they’re not good enough, fear of standing alone, fear of getting ripped off, even fear of success and what it will cost! For the professional on a career plateau as well as the novice just starting out, here are some tenets for long-term success in the entertainment industry: COMMIT TO…
