The Story of VocalEntrepreneur
The Voice Behind VocalEntrepreneur
I’m Arlene Rolph, a singer, vocal coach, mentor and entrepreneur who’s spent over two decades weaving the art of voice with the craft of business.
From my career paths on stages, lecture halls, co-directing companies and launching start-ups, I’ve had to develop a multifaceted skill set within the umbrella brand of being a ‘vocal entrepreneur’, with each facet teaching me that creative success depends as much on autonomous systems and structures as it does on individual passion and talent.
Where & How It All Began
My singing journey began as a somewhat privileged one, with access to world-class training, scholarships, mentors, and opportunity.
But when I stepped out into the professional world, the road ahead became precariously unclear. There were no signposts, no guides on how to stay visible and connected or how to find your individual purposeful voice in the business of being a vocal artist. No one talked about how to find an agent, how to pitch yourself, how to sustain a career between bookings or even how to ask for help…
I was told the career is what you make it - and whilst that’s true, it needn’t have meant figuring everything out alone. After ten years solo-navigating by trial and error, I felt the need to change that for others and for the industry. And VocalEntrepreneur was born.
VocalEntrepreneur’s Place In The World
My journey developing and growing VocalEntrepreneur and its unique VocalEntrepreneur House Model (a framework for building sustainable careers), has evolved in answer to the gaps and pitfalls I experienced through my own industry journey, and those of my colleagues, peers and clients.
VocalEntrepreneur seeks to build a solid place within the industry where vocal artists can ask honest questions, get real answers, feel genuinely supported and seek confidentiality or network.
Through mentorship, industry events and building a community platform for transparent conversation, VocalEntrepreneur empowers artists.
We don’t wait for permission. Here, we put artists at the centre of the industry, not the periphery. We call out the challenges. We make our own solutions. We build our own houses. We take autonomous steps that become a journey charted with intention, clarity and design.
The Voice Behind VocalEntrepreneur
I’m Arlene Rolph, a singer, vocal coach, mentor and entrepreneur who’s spent over two decades weaving the art of voice with the craft of business.
From my career paths on stages, lecture halls, co-directing companies and launching start-ups, I’ve had to develop a multifaceted skill set within the umbrella brand of being a ‘vocal entrepreneur’, with each facet teaching me that creative success depends as much on autonomous systems and structures as it does on individual passion and talent.
Where & How It All Began
My singing journey began as a somewhat privileged one, with access to world-class training, scholarships, mentors, and opportunity.
But when I stepped out into the professional world, the road ahead became precariously unclear. There were no signposts, no guides on how to stay visible and connected or how to find your individual purposeful voice in the business of being a vocal artist. No one talked about how to find an agent, how to pitch yourself, how to sustain a career between bookings or even how to ask for help…
I was told the career is what you make it - and whilst that’s true, it needn’t have meant figuring everything out alone. After ten years solo-navigating by trial and error, I felt the need to change that for others and for the industry. And VocalEntrepreneur was born.
VocalEntrepreneur’s Place In The World
My journey developing and growing VocalEntrepreneur and its unique VocalEntrepreneur House Model (a framework for building sustainable careers), has evolved in answer to the gaps and pitfalls I experienced through my own industry journey, and those of my colleagues, peers and clients.
VocalEntrepreneur seeks to build a solid place within the industry where vocal artists can ask honest questions, get real answers, feel genuinely supported and seek confidentiality or network.
Through mentorship, industry events and building a community platform for transparent conversation, VocalEntrepreneur empowers artists.
We don’t wait for permission. Here, we put artists at the centre of the industry, not the periphery. We call out the challenges. We make our own solutions. We build our own houses. We take autonomous steps that become a journey charted with intention, clarity and design.
The VocalEntrepreneur House Model
A Creative Framework Built Specifically For Vocal Artists
Centered around the concept of the theatre, and born from 13 years of teaching, mentoring, industry research and studio practice, the VocalEntrepreneur House Model sets a personal framework for vocal artists to create a sustainable career.
Through it, we visualise our careers as personal bespoke structures, holding every part of our artistic life.
A Structure Supporting Sustainable Success
Each compartment represents a portion of your professional business ecosystem that is industry current, and gives you permission and autonomy to play, shape and design your house on your terms.
The VocalEntrepreneur House Model is how we take charge. It provides a crystal overview of what needs attention in our business, and guides us on how to move through our own spaces with more confidence.
How We Use The House Model
With my mentorship programmes and one-to-one work, we use the VocalEntrepreneur House Model as a first step in your journey. It is the key in your career house door, crystallising what’s functioning and what needs reshaping.
Where are you in the VocalEntrepreneur Community?
Artist in Practice
An emerging professional artist usually entering a a 2-5 year apprenticeship at the start of their careers to gain traction in the arts. This artist is looking to build visibility, profile and reputation after tertiary training. Full time professional contracts can happen after graduation and we are here to support that or navigate the options if it doesn’t. This artist needs “parachute” support following the leap into the industry after a structured formal training and a solid space for information, connection to the industry and representative teams.
Renaissance Artist
Not always, but usually, a mid-career singer seeking a change, a re-brand, a re-direction. An artist who has been in the industry for a time and is looking to redefine their place in it on their own terms. An artist who may be looking to upskill, re-skill or for a re-invention. An artist who may want in or out of the industry or to reposition themselves in a way that represents them truly where they are now in their identity. This artist may also be looking for ways to run other interests alongside their main passion and connect to a wider community.
Artist in Flow
The artist who is professionally aligned and engaged in practices they really love. Perhaps becoming more niche in their artistry and needing to focus on a speciality that defines their unique brand. They may need to hire new teams or find balance and scheduling structures as the demands for their work increase. This artist needs support in sustaining momentum, avoiding burn out and overwhelm and a safe, confidential place to be heard outside of the glare of the industry.
Seasoned Professional
The artist who has served for a long time in the industry and is looking for new avenues of possibility and specialism. What happens at the end of an artist’s career? Usually for an artist there is no such thing as retirement so we look at how this later stage may open up possibilities of new casting profiles, mentorship, education and sometimes building legacy by way of a new project in the name of their art and what they stand for.