ABOUT
BELIEF #1
You have to be in it to win it.
With that fire in your belly, the right guidance and the right support system, you have a shot to turn your music goal into a reality (but only if you take the shot!)
BELIEF #2
We are people first, and in the music business second.
The truth is, we would be creatives regardless of whether anybody heard our music or not (we just REALLY want them to hear it!)
BELIEF #3
The people around you matter.
The music business is built on relationships and your community of fellow musicians and Artists can play an important part in your success
I'M BERNII
So, who am I and why should you join Becoming The Artist?
First of all, I really care about your career. Why? Because I know first-hand what it is like to have a dream, and goal to be a full-time Artist and musician. I held that same dream tightly, with dedication and fire in my belly. Although I later moved to other areas of the music business, it was singing and songwriting that started me off on this path (and I still do it every single day). I also believe that life is way too short to be asking yourself 'What if I had just tried' or 'What if I had re-connected to why I became an Artist where would I be?
If it's what you really want just know that I did it and why shouldn't you?
To be honest, In the early stages of my career I struggled with self-doubt and whether I was really good enough to do this. Many of us in the business have, at some almost point almost thrown in the towel or been stuck for what is the next best move for our careers and also as people. The truth is, not every path in the music business is going to be the right path for you and It's finding the right one that not only gets the results but also suits how you operate that is important.
I have also had my own knockbacks within the music business (as we all do at some point) and I wasn't always comfortable getting on the stage! Hello, stage fright my old friend! I don’t tell you that to whine but to shout this next part to anybody willing to listen - I overcame it! I learn't how to take a mindset that allowed me to tackle this head-on and empower myself both as a person and in my career.
I now teach vocals, well-being and mindset to new and established Artists and I also connect them to some of my friends in the business because I know what it’s like to be looking for answers and a community to support you.
The truth is as you work your way up the ladder in this business the pressures don't go they only change and that is one of the reasons that is so vital to have a team around you whom you trust.
Here is a brief overview of my story so that you can get to know me a little better.
MY STORY
IÂ have worked in the music industry for over twenty -five years. I started performing semi-professionally aged fifteen with my dadâs Jazz Trio (both my parents are professional musicians). I then went on to study Musical Theatre and after quickly realising that it wasnât the right road for me I attended the renowned international music school Brighton Institute of Modern Music in only its second year.
I met some amazing industry mentors that shaped my career. One of whom was the lovely Carleen Anderson of the Brand New Heavies and, to note, also goddaughter to the legendary James Brown who I was fortunate enough to watch live from the wings of the stage as we both performed at the same event in London which was a full circle moment.
I started to develop anxiety after an event in my personal life which made me step away from performing live for about eighteen months to begin to heal myself through writing music and finding my true voice again. Something that would repeat itself a decade later after I began socialising around the commercial music business. I found the music business expectations were fierce and although I consider myself to be as fierce as they come this machine was way beyond what I was used to handling. After finding myself conforming to these expectations without even realising it I decided that if I were to be proud of my journey and my life's work I had to re-connect with my authentic voice and USE it. That also meant re-discovering what it was about music brought me joy!
Why is that important? For so many reasons but mainly because this is your life and being authentic and honest to yourself, I believe, can unlock all kinds of well-being superpowers within you that will spread from your music to your everyday life. Feeling like you are on the right path for YOU not what they say is so rewarding. Equally making a decision about which way you want to go is also empowering and if you have that counsel of Mentors, as I did at BIMM, it makes the journey a hell of a lot easier!
Back to my story! Stepping away from the stage I moved to NYC to work as VP of A&R NY representing Amazing Radio whilst they launched in the States. In a nutshell, my job was to seek out the best new artists to play on their radio station. A pretty cool job all things considered! Whilst I was there I continued songwriting and sang backing vocals for DJ Devaler (formerly on VHI's White Rapper Show).
I have also worked in live promotions and briefly as a booking agent all the while continuing to sing and song-write. I have been vocal coaching, developing and mentoring artists for four years now under the umbrella of Bernii Mac Agency.
My varied but consistent career as an Artist for many years, a songwriter, session vocalist, and person behind the scenes have enabled me to witness first-hand how all the parts of the music industry fit together to give you, the artist, a platform to be heard. It has provided invaluable knowledge and experience which I will pass on to you inside.
And finallyâŚ
Everyday life means that sometimes our dreams and desires can fall to the wayside if we donât have somebody to help to keep us on track. This, alongside my passion for empowering artists from the inside out, has been the inspiration for âBecoming The Artistâ and I hope from the bottom of my heart that it will help you to step into the power that is within you so that you can confidently move forward in whatever way YOU choose.
"Since I have joined BTA I have grown a lot. I love Bernii’s energy and the guidance and direction she gives. The guest she brings in are really big names and they talk to us like they are our friends."
Shucy, Artist
"BTA has helped us shape our brand and it’s so nice to be around talented people with different experiences to give each other tips. We keep each other motivated and inspired!"
