We are SO lucky to have a place like Charlotte Star Room in the QC – it is the BEST place to cultivate young singer/songwriter talent. You might have heard about Charlotte Star Room from us already from our Smarty podcast series. We record every podcast in Charlotte Star Room’s professional studio, and we’ve gotta say: it’s legit. Every guest we have on the show remarks on how amazing it is that a professional sound studio is right in the middle of the city and so accessible. We love it there (and we love their editing skilzzz – thanks, Liam! ;-)).
Charlotte Star Room is a music development studio that offers programs for singers, songwriters, and producers who want to grow their talent and gain exposure. It’s owned by two of the most creative people we know, Alexis Bruce and Levin Chaskey, a husband-wife duo who opened shop in Charlotte to cultivate an emerging art scene in Charlotte. With their creative genius firmly behind your little artist, we promise he or she will flourish in front of the microphone. Charlotte Star Room not only fosters talent, but it instills confidence, stage presence, and technique in a fun, hip way.
They work with all levels – from beginner to professional – and offer:
– Professional music recording
– Youtube studio performance videos
– Artist development
– Professional music videos
– Original music production
– Voice lessons
– Acting lessons
– Photoshoots & graphic design
– Audition tapes
– Reels
– Video & audio production training
– On- and off-site video/audio production + post-production/editing
(Also, don’t forget to check out their Pop Star Parties – seriously the cutest in the city. Here are our little Smarties living it up like rockstars!)
We got the chance to talk to two local Smarties who have been taking voice lessons with Charlotte Star Room for the last couple of years. Interviews follow – they are both inspiring and SUPER cute. Best of luck to these two gems as they go to sparkle on stage! Got get ’em, ladies!
Laine Mansfield, 8th grade
Laine has been taking voice lessons at Charlotte Star Room since she was nine years old. A big thank you to her for taking the time to answer our questions!
Tell us about where your love for singing came from.
My love for singing came on a cruise when a girl a few years older than me was singing and playing the ukulele, and it made me want to do that too.
What made you want to take voice lessons?
I have loved performing since I was really young, and I wanted to take it to the next step with voice lessons.
What were your first few sessions like? Were you nervous, excited, or both?
I was very excited to start voice lessons, and they were everything I had wanted! Alexis helped me so much with singing and performing.
How long before you saw/heard improvement and what did that feel like?
The first time I saw improvement was when I listened back to the first recording that I made at Charlotte Star Room. It was crazy how much better my voice had gotten since I started.
What’s your favorite song to sing?
My favorite song to sing is probably House of the Rising Sun.
If you could sing anywhere live, where would it be?
The Grand Ole Opry.
Tell other Smarties who love to sing why they should consider voice lessons.
Voice lessons help you improve your voice so much and they also help you gain confidence in singing and teach you how to be a better performer.
Ansley Plym, Freshman, University of Alabama/Tuscaloosa
Ansley has been taking voice lessons for a year and loves every minute of them! She started as a senior in high school.
Tell us about where your love for singing came from.
Ever since I was really young I have always had a love for singing. Nobody in my family is musically talented whatsoever, so it was a little but random. When I was really young my biggest inspiration was Taylor Swift. I still remember belting out songs from her Fearless album.
What made you want to take voice lessons?
I wanted to take voice lessons because I loved watching videos of other people sing and shows like The Voice. I wanted to learn how to sing the proper way and regulate my breathing. It truly takes more than you’d think to sing properly and know when /how to breathe without making it seem unnatural.
What were your first few sessions like? Were you nervous, excited, or both?
For my first voice lesson, I was definitely a little nervous but extremely excited. Before my first voice lesson I had only sang in front of my family or close friends, so I was nervous to be critiqued and sing in front of someone I had only just met. But as soon as I walked in and met Alexis, she made me feel super comfortable and right at home. Alexis is one of those people who lights up every room she walks into. She is so charismatic, kind and funny as all get out. What I did not know when I first started taking voice lessons from Alexis is how she would become such a mentor to me in so many aspects of my life at a time when I really needed her. She is one of the most amazing people I have ever met.
How long before you saw/heard improvement and what did that feel like?
I saw improvement within the first few minutes of my very first lesson. I had no idea what I was doing and ever since I started singing I had always sang with no guidance or rules. But when Alexis taught me the proper way to breathe while singing it made all the difference. The difference between my first lesson and now is crazy and it makes me so proud.
What’s your favorite song to sing?
My favorite song to sing changes every few weeks or weekly. I’d say some of my favorites are: Valerie by Amy Winehouse, Riptide by Vance Joy, Put Your Records On by Corrine Bailey Rae and River by Leon Bridges. However, my absolute favorite song to sing is Hallelujah by Jeff Buckley but the Pentatonix version.
If you could sing anywhere live, where would it be?
The Bluebird Cafe in Nashville, TN
Tell other Smarties who love to sing why they should consider voice lessons.
If you love to sing but you don’t share your talent because you’re too nervous, I would really encourage you to try. It’s a shame when people with such talent keep it to themselves. I would also strongly advise you to take up voice lessons. It helps you come out of your comfort zone and helps you become more confident in your voice. When you are taught how to sing properly and come to learn and know what you are doing, it makes you much more confident in your voice. It also pushes you to share your voice with other people because of the improvement that you instantly see.
Voice lessons changed my life because it made me a different person when it comes to singing especially in front of other people. I used to be so shy and would refuse to sing in front of anyone else except my family. Since I took voice lessons I became much more confident and sure of myself. It really brought me out of my shell and helped me grow. I could not have asked for a better teacher/mentor than Alexis. There is truly no one else I would have rather had by my side teaching me and guiding me along the way. She is the best and has taught me so much. She also been there for me in many other aspects and is just the best all around. If you are considering taking voice lessons I could not stress enough that you NEED to have Alexis as your voice coach. She has been such a light to me and I know she will be for so many more people. I just wish I could have brought her to Tuscaloosa with me!! 🙂
Voice Lessons @ Star Room from Charlotte Star Room on Vimeo.
About Charlotte Star Room
Charlotte Star Room is a boutique music development & corporate video production studio that offers: 
– Music Development programs for singers & songwriters looking to explore their talents and maximize their exposure. We work with individuals at all levels of artistic experience, from the beginner to the professional!
– Pro In-Studio Vocal Lessons • Artist Development • Recording • In-Studio YouTube Music Videos • Original Music Production
– Unique in-studio birthday parties called “Pop Star Parties”
– Professional video production services for all commercial needs, from small business to corporate. Specializing in digital storytelling from concept to completion, we deliver superior creative visual solutions for your business or organization.
– Web Promo, E-Learning, Testimonials, Commercial Content, Social Media Shorts, and more.
Visit them online, facebook, YouTube, instagram, and twitter or at their awesome studio:
5110 Park Road-Suite 2J
Charlotte NC 28209
704.324.9048
