We had the good fortune of connecting with Lucas Tarrant and we’ve shared our conversation below.
Hi Lucas, every day, we about how much execution matters, but we think ideas matter as well. How did you come up with the idea for your business?
Singing is a universal passion, and we wanted to create a group where everyone is welcome. As a voice teacher and choral conductor, I always hear that people feel they don’t have the skill or ability to sing or join a chorus. We wanted to create a group that gave them the opportunity without the hurdle of an audition and a chance to learn those skills. The only requirement is a desire to sing. So far, we have had tremendous success and built a fun and engaging community of wonderful people.
Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I am a singer, voice teacher, choral conductor, music director, clinician, competition judge, and anything else that matches my experience that pays the bills. The path of a musician is not always clear-cut. I’ve taught everything from kindergarten to college. It isn’t easy because the field is so competitive, and unfortunately, peers are not commonly supportive. Your failure is someone else’s success, and that seems to be a bit more obvious in this field than in others. The majority of the challenges that come with the life of a musician are rooted in the inconsistency of work. There is a constant unsettled feeling that you can never seem to shake. While you are working one job, you already need to be thinking about the next job because bills don’t stop coming. However, I learned to balance performance-based work with teaching work to maintain consistency in income while still fulfilling the part of me that wished to be music directing and performing. Each plan is unique, but if you love it, you’ll figure it out and find people who support you.
Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
I would have to hit some hot spots. You have to go to Six Flags to say you did. One of my favorite restaurants is Marlow’s Tavern, so we might eat there a few times because EVERYTHING on their menu is great. The last must-see place is Campagnolo in Midtown. I had just discovered it shortly before the pandemic and went several times. It is an Italian restaurant and bar, but the best part is the live piano music by Robert Ray. He plays and sings and then invites others to come up and sing musical theatre. It is such a blast. Of course, it is a niche interest but, I’m a music nerd!
Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I would be nowhere without the love and support of my parents and my brother. I am so grateful to have a family that “gets” what I do. Additionally, I’ve had a tremendous education and mentors in my life that have shaped the musician, teacher, and conductor that I am. But, when it comes to my biggest artistic endeavor, North Atlanta Voices, my best friend Cheryl has had the largest and most continuous impact on my personal success and the success of the chorus. She is supportive of me as an artist and believes in my artistic vision. She also is the “business brain” of our organization. As the Executive Director, she does everything non-musical, or as I call it, the important stuff. Simply, without Cheryl, neither I nor the chorus would be as successful as they are today. I am eternally thankful for her and her amazing friendship.
Website: northatlantavoices.org
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/northatlantavoices/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/northatlantavoices
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCU16dQOXamOE0J6t1ExcVGA/videos
Image Credits
The Creative Raven