Today we’d like to introduce you to Wendy Parr.
Hi Wendy, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
I started working as a professional artist – singer, dancer, actor, voice overs when I was 8 years old. I always loved singing + songwriting had a natural talent for it, plus I was very disciplined + passionate, so focused on music and my career. I never expected to be a coach, but when I start at age 20 in my teacher’s studio I discovered how passionate I was for it – I love empowering artists to be authentic, have tools to sustain their voice and career.
As the Holistic Artist Coach, it’s about helping artists discover and elevate their voice – both vocally + artistically. With over 20+ years of coaching in the music industry, I found a couple of KEY things artists struggle with + processes to help them have solutions to those struggles.
It begins with Blueprint – losing their fears, perfectionism, all voices in their head, all the ideas that prevent them from being true to themselves, all the things they’ve been told they “should be” and gaining the trust to follow their inner voice. Going from fear to Unstoppable Confidence.
From there – it’s vocal development Voice Maps to expand their style and then Sound Chart – to distill the detailed ingredients that make up their unique sound.
COMPASS – is the FLAGSHIP course for pro artists, songwriters + producers on authentic branding. So the artist can express themselves consistently across every expression of their brand – persona, stage, music videos, and social media. The artist needs the CLARITY of who they are and the language to communicate it with every member of their team. the Brand is the artist – we dive into who they are so they feel confident about every creative choice resulting in art that RESONATES with the audience.
In everything I do — from 1:1 coaching, courses + The Artist’s Circle – it’s about building a COMMUNITY – a place for artists to connect, communicate gain support, friends and meet collaborators. We all need a place to be real + flourish. Support meets network.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Struggles – oh yeah, always. It’s not fun, but I do believe struggles are designed to help us grow and refine our beliefs + skills. There is the challenge of working with each artist and finding the best tools for them to expand = grow as quickly as possible and create a process for longevity. Sometimes it’s giving them a tool they need for the studio tomorrow while also providing a process they can build to make long-term changes that stick.
With the Parr Method, the greatest challenge has been learning five software to run it! The material, the coaching, that I can deliver – getting the operations of the business is not something I ever expected to be doing in my life! At the same time, my twins were born! It’s been a lesson in patience, priorities and grit. I’ve had some big learning curves that once over the hump provided me with pride and joy with each triumph.
As a person, songwriter, vocal producer and coach, I really do practice what I teach — vulnerability, practice, exploration, expansion, and authenticity. We’re all artists finding the best way to express ourselves to have a positive impact on others.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
It takes about 7-10 years to find your artistic voice. I am known for helping artists elevate their vocal abilities and addressing the mind, body, spirit, It’s not just about the instrument – you are a whole person with a career! I’ve supported artists prepping for tour, on tour – enabling them to sing night after night + not wear down, but get stronger and feel more confident as a result. I’ve also helped artists navigate their personal and careers. For example, one artist I work with is an introvert – helping them learn how to be their introverted self on stage gave them so much new territory to discover and live in comfortably instead of trying to be an extroverted pump up the crowd performer that they weren’t.
Uniquely, I help artists explore, expand and clarify their artistic vision and authentic brand – whether it’s a new artist making their first record or an established artist looking for that new element for their 5th,
It’s so important the artist steers the ship – the ideas come from them and there is so much the artist has to do these days beyond their music – artwork, content creation, sound, writing… if they are indie add marketing and more, signed and you need to not only have your vision locked down but also the language to communicate it to your team!
My processes as a coach, songwriter + vocal producer, it’s to help artists know who they are and have the ability to communicate it resulting in a career and content they LOVE, can stand behind that resonates with their audience because it is authentic!
When writing with an artists – it’s about telling their story + bringing my talents whether that’s melody, lyric or vocal arrangements. Co-writing is such a wonderful collaborative experience. And when we’re all feeling it, oh, that’s the best feeling!
Is there a quality that you most attribute to your success?
My own themes in life are freedom, authenticity, the beauty and power of vulnerability – these are qualities I bring to my work, qualities I want others to experience.
Artists have told me in our first session that I asked questions they’ve never considered or been asked as an artist. I start with Why do you sing? I’ve been told I’m the first coach that has “come to them”, met them where they are to work with their goals – not telling them to sing a certain or “right” way. These are key elements to my coaching – I’m here to support the artist to be themselves both by getting vocally healthy so they can tour or discover their sound or go to the next level, even if they don’t know what that level is yet.
Similarly, when writing with artists, I’ve been told it’s the most fun, free, creative experience they’ve ever had. Creating an environment for risk taking, truth telling and play is what it’s all about!
I’m about connection – connecting artists to artists, producers, creatives. Everyone is going through it “alone” and we don’t have to. Everyone is going through the same things, just at different times. Having a support system of genuine awesomely talented creatives, you can count on, talk with, create with… well that’s a life changer!
Contact Info:
- Website: www.wendyparr.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wendyparr
Image Credits
Matty Vogel – on tour shot Shervin Lainez – 3 portrait shots Tarik Dennie – in studio shot
