To stay focused and determined, no matter what “barriers” appear. There is always a solution to continue your dream. Sing and write a lot so that you can be as professional as possible.
As a part of our series about “5 Things I Wish Someone Told Me When I First Became An Artist” I had the pleasure of interviewing Valerie Fahren.
Valerie Fahren is a top Los Angeles vocal coach, artist development specialist, record producer, and performing singer-songwriter with over 25 years of industry experience. She’s worked with Edgar Winter, Neil Diamond, Juliette Lewis, Daphne Guinness, and Grammy-winning producers Michael Jay and Andre Lindal, as well as A&R execs Max Gousse, Omar Grant, and more. Her clients — ranging from beginners to A-list performers — have appeared on major TV shows, Broadway productions, and alongside stars like Chaka Khan and Angela Lansbury. Valerie’s Artist Development Program covers vocal technique, audition prep, songwriting, and industry showcases, helping clients land record deals (Virgin, Geffen, among others), film roles, and national tours. As an artist, she’s recorded with Chick Corea, David Arkenstone, and others, and has co-written over 100 songs with emerging talent.
Thank you so much for doing this with us! Can you tell us the story of how you grew up?
I grew up in the county near the Appalachian National Forest in NJ. I went to school for Voice at Fairleigh Dickinson Music Dept where I originally did professional musical theatre and opera. I was also the lead singer in a band called Gypsy that was in the top 5 in a Battle of the Bands Contest with the rock station WDHA (a Tri-State Radio in NYC, NJ, PA). We competed along with Twister Sister and a few other notable bands. The winner got to perform with Todd Rundgren’s Utopia at the Meadowlands Arena.
Can you share a story with us about what brought you to this specific career path?
When I was a child, I always wanted to sing and act. I would day dream about being in Hollywood and being on TV and singing to large audiences. I just loved singing all the top 40 radio hits.
Can you tell us the most interesting story that happened to you since you began your career?
There are many interesting stories I wish I could tell (laughs), however, one of the most interesting was recording a duet with David Arkenstone for his Caravan of Light Album. At the time, he was the third largest New Age recording artist in the world, next to Yanni and Enya. We worked together and recorded “Road to Zanzibar,” which was released worldwide. So that was very exciting at the time.
What are some of the most interesting or exciting projects you are working on now?
I’m songwriting and vocal producing with a Spanglish Pastor rapper, singer-songwriter and his family. He is an up-and-coming artist and the whole family sings! I am very excited about helping him launch his career along with his family, and a few others that I will showcase to the industry in Hollywood this year. I am also working on a confidential project with a TV star on developing her voice for future projects. She has a beautiful tone and wants more range and power. For myself, I am working on some new original music that I am going to be releasing later this year.
Who are some of the most interesting people you have interacted with? What was that like? Do you have any stories?
Well one of the most interesting is the marvelous, beautiful and talented Daphne Guinness, the Heiress to the Guinness Beer Fortune and queen of style, according to Vanity Fair Magazine. She is one of the most unique artists with her own style and voice. We were working on getting her ready to record with David Bowie at the Magic Shop, but he passed not too long after. Daphne is a beautiful soul and always treated me with respect and grace. She is a talented artist. I would love to see her do more.
Where do you draw inspiration from? Can you share a story about that?
I am inspired by the dreams of others, my fellow artists, and clients, and the persistence to continue — no matter what barriers may come. I live for creating art through music and also helping others achieve their goals. I am inspired by, of course, my beautiful and talented daughter, who is an amazing singer. Also, artists like Mariah Carey and others that keep creating themselves, like Adele. I also love to watch the Grammys and get pumped up for the year to come! Michael Jay is an amazing songwriter and Grammy Award Winning. I’ve been inspired by his longevity his brilliance, and his brilliant artistry in writing lyrics. We’ve worked together over the years. He also has a huge music library in his home with wall-to-wall aisles of albums from all of his success over the years.
How have you used your success to bring goodness to the world?
I promote and support Drug-Free World so that our youth will be educated on the dangers of drugs, and so that they will stay away from them.
What are your “5 things I wish someone told me when I first started” and why.
1. To not listen to the negative people that say you can’t do it, or say get a “Plan B.”
2. To surround myself with positive people that will help uplift and support my friends and my career.
3. To stay focused and determined, no matter what “barriers” appear. There is always a solution to continue your dream. Sing and write a lot so that you can be as professional as possible.
4. To always work for myself and to think of others as well — to keep in mind that it’s not just all about me.
5. To appreciate and love my own art and be proud to promote it to the world, no matter what anyone else thinks.
You are a person of great influence. If you could inspire a movement that would bring the most amount of good to the most amount of people, what would that be? You never know what your idea can trigger.
Peace on Earth. No violence. And to let all artists contribute their art to the world in order to promote peace on earth. That would be the best.
We have been blessed that some of the biggest names in Business, VC funding, Sports, and Entertainment read this column. Is there a person in the world, or in the US whom you would love to have a private breakfast or lunch with, and why? He or she just might see this.
I have too many, but here are some! I would love to have lunch with Mariah Carey to discuss songwriting and whistle tones. I also love Adam Levine as an artist, and Damon John as an entrepreneur. And I have a lot of respect for Grant and Elena Cardone and what they have accomplished.
What is the best way our readers can follow you on social media?
My public social media is Instagram: @ValerieFahren. And my website is: valeriefahren.com. Thank you so much!
This was very meaningful, thank you so much! We wish you continued success!
Valerie Fahren: 5 Things I Wish Someone Told Me When I First Became an Artist was originally published in Authority Magazine on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.