We had the good fortune of connecting with Annie Calvaneso and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Annie, what’s something about your industry that outsiders are probably unaware of?
I’m in the classical music industry and mostly work with people in the industry. One thing outsiders are probably unaware of is that we work for free or very little pay for the first 5-10 (sometimes 15!) years of our careers, and some people never get paid. This is because the arts are heavily underfunded. The majority of large arts companies’ founders and CEOs are making millions while they offer $1000-2000/month + housing to 30 year olds with 8+ years experience. This is why the work I do helping artists and creatives start their own businesses is so important. I believe that if we all have more money, we’ll have less scarcity, and we won’t take jobs that pay too little. Maybe then, we’ll be able to fund the arts more and keep these beautiful art forms alive.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I started as an entrepreneur at 14 years old with my vocal teaching studio and haven’t stopped since! My voice teaching business got me through college. During high school I struggled with anorexia, and right before I was supposed to start college for vocal performance/music, my stomach ruptured- leaving me extremely weak to the point where I was unable to walk. This led to a long road developing my vocal technique, since we need strength to sing. Because of this I started weight training and became a fitness coach, helping others build strength. I worked with professional opera singers all over the world through my program, Strength for Singers. Strength for Singers is now in schools and artist apprenticeship programs all over the world (including my alma mater, the University of Michigan).

In 2020, my clients (mostly singers & performers) lost their income, and so I did, too. I knew I could help them make money online, so I led an online workshop that helped 60 of my fellow singers start online businesses during covid. Now I work with businesses of every kind – voice teachers, fitness instructors, astrologers, grant writing agency owners, dating coaches, etc. I love empowering people to do work that aligns with their best self.
I believe what sets me apart from others in the industry is that I am not just a consultant, but also a coach. The word “mentor” fully embodies the work I do. I work with my clients not only on marketing and sales strategy, but also mindset. I believe every person’s path is different, so my work is to empower my clients to follow their intuition vs societal expectations, and to shift their BELIEFS instead of just giving them a strategy. My clients typically 2-3x their revenue working with me because of these internal belief shifts.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I live just outside of Detroit, Michigan in downtown Royal Oak. Most of my friends are fellow entrepreneurs, so when they visit we’re mostly looking to find places to feel inspired and cool places to get work done! My favorite coffee shop to do work in is Dessert Oasis Coffee Roasters, which has many locations in metro Detroit. The Ferndale Project is where I host my Metro Detroit Women Entrepreneurs meetups. It’s a community space with amazing food and coffee. White Wolf and Commonwealth are two other coffee shops I love in the area.
I’d definitely take them to Ronin, my favorite restaurant in the area. I dream about Ronin’s crispy rice spicy tuna! For quick takeout, Boukie’s Grill has the most amazing shawarma sandwiches. Most weekends I get donuts from the Apple Fritter Donut Shop. Their blueberry fritter and cherry donuts are my favorite.
If my friend was visiting during Labor Day weekend, I’d definitely take them to Arts, Beats, and Eats in downtown Royal Oak. I live walking distance, and it’s such a blessing to be able to walk downtown whenever events are going on!
If my friend was visiting during the fall season, we’d have to check out a cider mill! My favorite in the area is the Franklin Cider Mill. If you live somewhere that doesn’t have cider mills, you have to visit the midwest during the fall season!
And of course, for arts and culture – the Detroit Opera and Toledo Opera (which is about 90 minutes away). It’s amazing that we get to see high-quality productions in the midwest!
I also love going to the Detroit Institute of the Arts or seeing the Broadway tours at the Fisher Theatre. I love living in a city with so much art and culture!

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I would be nowhere without the support of all of my mentors – both in business and music. As they say, it takes a village! I don’t think anyone truly gets anywhere alone. I am a firm believer in the power of mentorship. Working with someone who has been where you are is one of the most streamlined ways to be successful. I have had many mentors, but a few really stand out. My first business mentor, Hakeem White, changed my life. His program was my first business investment, and I’m so grateful he sold me on it when I was afraid to invest in myself. My forever mentor Taylor Eaton taught me to trust myself both in my life and business and helped me with the transition from fitness to business. Martha Sheil is the most wonderful voice teacher. At the beginning of my career, she and I traded voice lessons for fitness sessions, and she helped me come up with a lot of the verbiage for my program, Strength for Singers. Jennifer Rowley was one of my first clients in my fitness business, and her fierce support of the business has helped me grow my career (I’m actually on faculty for her program this summer!) Kevin Bylsma at Toledo Opera is the most supportive, wonderful mentor and friend, and he gave me my first MainStage opera role.

And of course, my parents. I would be nowhere without their love and encouragement. My dad worked 3 jobs to pay for my education and training in high school. He instilled a strong work ethic within me from day 1. My mom drove me to thousands of rehearsals from ages 12-18 and talked me out of every low point I’ve ever had in life. When I wanted to quit my fitness business because I kept hearing “no,” my mom told me: “Annie, one day Strength for Singers will be in schools, just watch. Don’t give up.” She was right. Moms always know best.

Website: in progress!

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/anniecalvaneso/

Other: More information about the Strength for Singers program: https://the-glam-fit-diva.mykajabi.com/strength-for-singers

Image Credits
Makeup by Stephanie Mansour most images by Cynthia Risch

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