Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Lisa Chiodo. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Lisa, we’re so excited for our community to get to know you and learn from your journey and the wisdom you’ve acquired over time. Let’s kick things off with a discussion on self-confidence and self-esteem. How did you develop yours?
There’s no one or right way to developing confidence and self esteem. Personally, I gained both through trial and error and rejection starting at a young age. I would busk and book myself gigs in restaurants and bars all around the city in Australia from 10 years old all throughout high school and learned very quickly that not everything was going to be a ‘yes’.
When I moved to America for College I came to Berklee College of Music as a freshman with confidence in myself and my abilities. My second semester was cut short due to the global pandemic which took a tole on so many people’s confidence and self esteem levels, only because everything was so different. Once I adapted to the new way of college and interacting with people the confidence started to build again through hybrid programs and consistent work.
The phrase “you have to love yourself before you can love someone else” springs to mind here. Having confidence in yourself and a high self esteem is incredibly important as a musician or someone in the music/ entertainment industry, especially if you’re going to be promoting yourself (which if you’re a musician, you know that you have to be your biggest fan).
It is easier to support people you love, so love yourself and watch the growth.
Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?
Lisa Chiodo, a 24-year-old artist hailing from Melbourne, Australia, now calls New York City home. As a vocalist, trumpet player, and producer/audio engineer, she has captivated audiences across Australia, Europe, and the U.S. with her dynamic live performances. Lisa has collaborated with renowned artists such as Usher, Lalah Hathaway, Chuck Rainey, Son Jobarteh, Snarky Puppy, Q-Tip, Lawrence, and Ledisi.
Her recent work at this year’s Boston Calling Music Festival saw her supporting artist and tour management teams for Luke Hemmings, Chappell Roan, Reneé Rapp, and Ed Sheeran. With a passion for collaboration, Lisa remains committed to refining her craft and staying at the forefront of the music scene.
Lisa’s trumpet and flugelhorn skills are integral to her signature sound, blending effortlessly with her vocals to create a unique, multi-layered musical experience. This fusion showcases her creative versatility, bringing a depth and sophistication to her performances that consistently captivate listeners.
A sought-after session musician, Lisa has worked with industry heavyweights like Marty Walsh (Supertramp, Dolly Parton, Julio Iglesias, Neil Diamond), Enrique Gonzalez Müller (Latin Grammy Award-winning producer and engineer), Niko Bolas (producer/engineer for Neil Young, Warren Zevon), and Grammy-nominated Mark Wessel.
In May 2024, Lisa graduated from Berklee College of Music with a double degree in Music Business-Management and Professional Performance, alongside a minor in Recording and Production. She also completed specialized programs in Entertainment Law and Contract Negotiations at Harvard Law School. With expertise in contract negotiation and redlining for entertainment law, Lisa has a solid grasp of artist and label agreements, ensuring her involvement in the business side of the industry is as sharp as her creative work. Her deep engagement across both fields fuels her drive for success.
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
‘Closed mouths don’t get fed’ – Don’t be afraid to ask for things. Ask for help, ask for advise, ask for directions or for tips. If you don’t ask, you won’t receive. And on the other side of that, don’t be frugal with your knowledge and skills. If someone asks you for help, don’t be afraid to help them.
‘If they don’t want you on the tour bus, you’re not doing the gig’ – You can be the best of the best at what you do. The most talented trumpet player, vocalist, the fastest runner or best cook, but if you’re not pleasant to be around, if people don’t want to spend time with you, then they will find someone else who isn’t as good at what they do, but is better to be around. Life isn’t all about talent and skill. It’s an integral part of it, but it’s not everything. Being good at what you do only gets your foot in the door.
Each opportunity/ gig must have two of the three; good people, good music, good pay. If the opportunity doesn’t have two of those three, for me it isn’t worth it. Have your own standards and don’t be afraid to stick to them, but also don’t be afraid to change them if thats what’s best for you.
To close, maybe we can chat about your parents and what they did that was particularly impactful for you?
My parents had three daughters, two of which (inclusive of myself) were given the opportunity to study abroad in America to follow our dreams of becoming successful, established and sought after musicians. My parents gave up having two of their three daughters be in the same country, living near them and having a more shared life with them so that we could follow our dreams.
Supported me financially throughout college and emotionally from the beginning, presently. Without them, I would not be where I am today.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lisavchiodo/
- Other: [email protected]
Image Credits
Ainura Kudaibergen
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