We were lucky to catch up with Vanessa Graniero aka vangran recently and have shared our conversation below.
Vanessa, so good to have you with us today. We’ve always been impressed with folks who have a very clear sense of purpose and so maybe we can jump right in and talk about how you found your purpose?
Music has always been a huge part of my life and is something that I’ve pursued from a young age. I released an independent album at 17, I’ve performed as a solo artist, a session vocalist, worship leader, a former member of the Atlanta psychedelic funk band Voodoo Visionary, and I was in the final four of The Voice on Snapchat, representing Team Blake Shelton. However, the journey to find my purpose wasn’t a smooth one.
Pursuing a career as a vocalist can come with a lot of setbacks, challenges, imposter syndrome, and self doubt. There have been times when it felt like a string of failures, one after the other. There have been several occasions when I needed to take a step back and adjust course.
A few years ago I felt lost, questioned my relationship with music, and was unsure what to do next. A friend approached me for some vocal coaching. I was hesitant at first, but I decided to embrace the opportunity to help him out. I had been a vocal coach before, but timing is everything, and this time, something clicked. I found so much fulfillment and joy in helping that friend transform their voice, I knew this was something I needed to explore further.
From the start, I thought my purpose was to be a recording artist. But I realized that my purpose isn’t really about a career or success; it’s about creating meaningful connections. My way of doing that is through music and helping others experience the beauty and solace that music can offer. This helped me to view all the setbacks as lessons in resilience and persistence; all of which have made me a better artist and more importantly, a stronger coach and mentor.
Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?
I’m proud to be a part of the vocal coaching team at the renowned Jan Smith Studios at Mama’s Music House (www.jansmith.com) in Atlanta, GA. The studio is run by Mama Jan, a celebrity vocal coach and producer most known for working with artists such as Justin Bieber, Usher, Kimberly Perry, Rob Thomas, Queen Naija, and many more. The studio is a destination for both aspiring artists and seasoned professionals to refine their skills and establish new ones.
It’s my personal mission to make meaningful connections through music and to help others do the same. I work with local and international students of all levels and contemporary styles such as Pop, R&B, Soul, Alternative, Rock, and Country. I love helping singers find their authentic voice, unearth their full potential as storytellers and artists, and explore evidence-based vocal techniques to back it all up.
Additionally, I’m so excited to share that I am currently working on a new music project under the moniker vangran, with plans to release this year! Follow @vangran on social media for updates!
There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?
Throughout the journey, I’ve learned that consistency, collaboration, and resilience are essential for me. For those just starting out, I recommend creating a routine that allows you to show up for yourself every day. Learning to be consistent is so valuable and can help create a sense of stability in this oftentimes chaotic industry. I also encourage you to actively seek out collaborations and build genuine relationships that you can feel good about. Surround yourself with people that you admire and inspire you to level up. Finally, don’t be afraid to embrace failure as an opportunity to learn, adapt, and evolve. Understanding that failure is not the opposite of success but an integral part of it can be transformative. This kind of resilience will help you navigate the inevitable ups and downs of the creative journey with grace and determination.
What’s been one of your main areas of growth this year?
I believe that continuing to learn and challenge yourself is such an important part of the journey! This past year, I completed an Advanced Professional Certificate in Songwriting from Berklee College of Music and I have been learning production with Ableton Live. It’s been such a great process and has felt really empowering! Exploring the capabilities of producing electronic music has been really fun. It has helped me get outside of my comfort zone, explore without judgment, and challenge what I know about creating music; which are all things that I encourage any artist to explore.
Contact Info:
- Website: http://vangranmusic.com
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/vangran/
- Facebook: https://facebook.com/vangranmusic
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/@vangran
Image Credits
Rachel Reagan, Tara Owen Photography
