HAMPTON ROADS — Melissa V. Cartwright has been attending conferences, musicianship workshops, and seminars on being a performer. She also owns her own performing arts training program and finds herself answering the same questions about performing arts-related topics frequently.
Instead of keeping that knowledge to herself and her students, Cartwright has launched the “Passionate Performer Podcast,” to share her performance and music insights with the world.
Cartwright, who initially branded the podcast as “Cafecito with a Coach,” relaunched earlier this year.
“I called it “Cafecito with a Coach” because I infused a lot of my personality into it. A lot of time I usually end up throwing a few Spanish words in there, but I really just wanted it to feel like you are just having coffee with a bestie and you’re getting vulnerable with what some of the challenges you are facing as an artist,” Cartwright said.
While rebranding, Cartwright was also launching her Passionate Performer program. The program is geared towards vocal performers who want a coaching and community of likeminded performers and to build confidence in their art form.
“When the Passionate Performer Program finally launched, it really felt like a good time to bring back the podcast. As I was re-thinking what season two would look like, it just made sense with everything aligning with what was already in front of me,” Cartwright said.
That rebranding led her to the “Passionate Performer Podcast.”
On episodes of the “Passionate Performer Podcast,” Cartwright delves into all aspects of the performing artist. From handling pre-performance nerves, vocal nodules and illnesses that affect singers, to creating and cultivating social media and branding content, Cartwright covers it all.
“It’s the same heart of the program, but really delves into a specific challenge that performers face, why they may be experiencing that, and the listener gets basically a how-to or some advice on what to do as soon as the episode is done, an actual action item that feels easy to do,” Cartwright said.
In addition to performing arts experts, Cartwright has also brought on psychologists who work with performers that showcase the importance of taking care of not just their vocal health but their mental health as well.
Overall, Cartwright hopes to be a vehicle for performers at all levels.
“I want the listener to walk away with the idea of ‘I know exactly what I want to do next.’ I want them to feel seen, that they are not alone, loneliness especially in the arts can be this very sinister lie. Sometimes it can feel lonely because the artist can feel that nobody gets them, nobody understands them, and that what they are doing is being perceived by friends and family as just a hobby or a phase. I really hope that whoever listens feels seen, heard, and that someone totally gets it and is cheering you on and that they know what the right next step is in their own performing journey,” Cartwright said.
The podcast is available on all podcast streaming platforms.
To learn more about the podcast and Cartwright, visit mvcperformance.com/performerpodcast.