Kathy Alexander, a theatrical performer and singer who has performed on stage at VictoriaB次元官网网址檚 McPherson Playhouse, SidneyB次元官网网址檚 Mary Winspear Centre and with the occasional cover band, said she found it difficult to pursue her third passion of vocal teaching among a limited pool of open pupils on the Island.
B次元官网网址淢aking new connections with other artists, thatB次元官网网址檚 not something thatB次元官网网址檚 happened much for me outside of (theatre),B次元官网网址� she said.
Alexander, her husband Kevin and two other veterans of VictoriaB次元官网网址檚 music scene now make a living from their solution to educate more vocalists.
Since its public launch last September, the founders of Singdaptive said theyB次元官网网址檝e found success with musicians and vocalists as an alternative to education platforms like Masterclass or Udemy. That success was capitalized on by investors including John Maeir, CEO of Blue Microphones, and Charles Huang, co-founder of Guitar Hero, who brought the Victoria-based startupB次元官网网址檚 valuation up to $2.75 million after their last round of investing at the start of the year.
The difference between SingdaptiveB次元官网网址檚 programming and better-known competitors is its delivery. B次元官网网址淚f you go and search how to sing online, youB次元官网网址檒l often find these same methods that are just one person pushing one particular singing method,B次元官网网址� said developer Stephen Evans. Instead, Singdaptive has its users record themselves for one of the platformB次元官网网址檚 21 instructors to provide live or asynchronous feedback.
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The vulnerability and gusto presented in performances recorded ahead of time compensates for the cons to remote teaching, such as the inability to coach body or posture as she would in a live lesson, Alexander said. B次元官网网址淭he thing we didnB次元官网网址檛 expect is that it encourages deeper reflection B次元官网网址� because the studentB次元官网网址檚 not right there in front of me waiting for my response, I can really digest it, really hear and really reflect. Likewise for the students (with instruction).B次元官网网址�
Each of the startupB次元官网网址檚 four founders is well versed in VictoriaB次元官网网址檚 music and audio-technical industry, which Evans described as an overlooked powerhouse in the city. He, Alexander and remaining founders Kevin Alexander and Greg A. Barker had each worked for the Victoria-based vocal instrument manufacturer TC Helicon before pooling their contacts and establishing Singdaptive in 2018. B次元官网网址淎 lot of the music tech companies seem to be a little more private,B次元官网网址� among VictoriaB次元官网网址檚 tech startup communities such as VIATEC, said Evans.
The now four-year-old startup is tasked with spurring client growth through digital marketing and balancing that growth with capacity, he continued. B次元官网网址淚f we suddenly get 1,000 users in a month, weB次元官网网址檙e going to need more teachersB次元官网网址� We need to be incredibly cheap to run so that we can grow (staff) slowly,B次元官网网址� he said.
The road so far and challenges ahead have paid off with the reception of the platformB次元官网网址檚 first month, Alexander said. B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 been amazing that singers of all levels and with really different needs have been pleased with the progress theyB次元官网网址檝e been able to make on this platform,B次元官网网址� she said. B次元官网网址淭he fact that weB次元官网网址檙e a team, that we have an instant and easy way to check in with each other, compare notes and records of what weB次元官网网址檝e done with our students right on the platform, has been so fun for all of us.B次元官网网址�
Do you have a story tip? Email: kiernan.green@blackpress.ca.
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