VocalizeU is a global artist development and education company for beginning, emerging, and professional singers located in West Hollywood, California. VocalizeU offers vocal and artistry education through training products, live events, workshops, masterclasses, vocal experts, industry mentorship, and an international community.
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History
In 2010, Dave Stroud created VocalizeU under the corporate umbrella DS Vocology, LLC. VocalizeU launched its highly successful vocal training program in 2012, which was recently rebranded to SingPro for late 2015 launch. Several versions have launched: iPhone 2012, iPad 2012, desktop laptop 2014, Android Google marketplace 2015. After having produced vocal events for 15 years, Stroud rebranded to the VocalizeU Summer Artist Intensive in 2012. This event brought over 150 students who came from all around the world to attend the event. In February 2013, VocalizeU introduced the first VU Winter Songwriting Retreat, an intimate winter retreat in the San Bernardino Mountains to focus on artists' identity, vocal development, creativity, and songwriting skills. In November 2013, VocalizeU launched the first VU Nashville Songwriting Intensive while also launching the first VU NorCal Artist Development event.
VU Events
VocalizeU has created events for singers to grow and develop as artists. VU brings in music industry icons and businesses to create amazing live events such as vocal seminars, workshops, intensive summer programs, concerts, songwriting lectures/courses, acting masterclasses, choreography classes and much more.
The VocalizeU Artist Intensive started in 2012 and takes place every summer. This 10-day event is for professional and amateur singers 13 years and older. Singers from all over the world live on a college campus for 10 days and devote all their time to classes and performances. Each student gets a private voice lesson everyday and attends a variety of classes throughout the day. The classes are all taught by music icons, vocal experts, and top artists. Classes range from music business to musical theater to songwriting. All singers have an option to perform in the nightly VU Spotlight Performance, where they perform a song with a live band in front of their family, friends, and fellow students. After the show, each singer gets live critiques from a panel of music industry professionals. The VU Artist Intensive has been described as the most influential, inspiring, educational, and engaging music experience available for singers. VUAI offers a network, support, and a family for like-minded artists to collaborate and hone their crafts.
The VocalizeU Winter Retreat is a weekend retreat in the mountains that focuses on an inspiring and introspective look at artistry and musicality. It is primarily focused on songwriting and the creative process of making music. Students participate in classes during the day. Past classes have included "Honesty in Artistry" and "Song Placement Magic". Artists have the opportunity to sing in open mic style performances during meals. Each night, there is an intimate and igniting singer/songwriter showcase where accomplished singer/songwriters perform a few of their songs, explain their process behind their hits, and answer questions from the students. Each night attendees are encouraged to co-write and enjoy the company of the other artists.
VocalizeU Nashville is an annual songwriting retreat. Artists come and study with top industry songwriters and publishers. Each day, they write a song and perform those new songs each night at the Music Row in Nashville in front of an audience.
VUAI mini-NorCal is an annual artist development event which preps artists for the large VocalizeU Artist Intensive in Hollywood, CA. It is a weekend workshop with songwriting, artistry, and performance opportunities.
Products
VocalizeU produces the most comprehensive vocal training program designed to strengthen a singer's technique, range, and power. It is the only fully mobile vocal training program that can be used on a desktop computer, iPad, iPhone, and Android phone. Each warm-up, lesson, and evaluation is personalized and caters to a singer’s individual needs, allowing them to work on areas of their voice at their own pace. The patented vocal evaluation technology helps singers determine areas of their voice that need growth and then directs them to customized vocal exercises and workouts. The program is easy to use and works for beginners as well as the professional singer and also provides vocal studio tools, educational text books, and further music training. It is slated for a rebrand to SingPro by the end of 2015.
Two additional singer based products are in development to expand the product line and will be released early 2016.
Institutions and Partnerships
VocalizeU provides the most comprehensive voice training program, and many top universities and institutions around the world use it as their core curriculum for their vocal departments. The e-resource studio bookshelf make for an all-in-one vocal program resource. Topics covered are everything from ear training to vocal technique text books, to information on the science behind vocal development and style development. Universities currently using VocalizeU include Liverpool Institute of Performing Arts, South Plains College, Tokyo School of Music, International Voice Training Mexico, Tokyo Shabuya School of Music, Sendai School of Music, Osaka School of Music, Fukuoka School of Music, Nagoya School of Music, and Sapporo School of Music.
VUFit
VocalizeU believes being healthy and strong are important factors in supporting a singer's career. VUFit is a course designed by VocalizeU to bring to artists healthy and easily doable fitness routines for those who need effective work anywhere. It is headed by Shannon Stroud, a NASM (National Academy of Sports Medicine) certified trainer and has been featured in P90X3. She was also selected as one of the test/focus group members in the development of that product. Shannon spent years on stage as a comedian and continues to teach and coach comics all over the world. She knows firsthand the stress of performing in front of live audiences, the focus it takes to pursue a creative life and the energy and confidence it takes to be successful. She teaches all the fitness classes at all VU events.
VU Teacher Network
VocalizeU offers a network of vocal experts (a worldwide network of vocal coaches) who network and have relationships with industry professionals, medical experts, and Vocologists. They hold themselves to a higher standard, educating themselves in current research, vocal methodologies, studying different genres, maintaining their own voices, and learning to benefit the artist. Their student-centered teaching focuses on their core beliefs in 7 foundations that have been crafted to help a singer achieve the highest level of performance. Many of these vocal experts are celebrity voice coaches and teach current stars of Broadway, Hollywood, pop, R&B, opera, country, jazz, rock and blues. These select vocal experts have been teaching voice for many years and have built some of the most successful and elite vocal studios in the world. ViP Experts are also experienced in singing and performance workshops, training sessions, and providing vocal development seminars.