We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Mark Antonio de Villiers. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Mark below.

Mark, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Have you been able to earn a full-time living from your creative work? If so, can you walk us through your journey and how you made it happen? Was it like that from day one? If not, what were some of the major steps and milestones and do you think you could have sped up the process somehow knowing what you know now?

Yes, I’ve been working as a professional in my craft for over 15 years. After I graduated college (New World School of the Arts/University of Florida) in Miami with a bachelors in vocal performance, I decided to work as a music teacher while I was actively singing in the Florida Opera chorus and auditioning for young artist programs for young aspiring classical singers. In my second year of teaching I got accepted into Palm Beach Opera’s young artist program and got to sing roles on the main stage. The following summer, I was invited into Chautauqua Opera’s studio artist program, where I performed for 11 weeks and was given the studio artist award. I performed with many local opera companies and sang many lead roles as well as concert repertoire with different orchestras. During all of which I was teaching private voice and piano lessons.

I eventually relocated to central Florida to pursue more opportunities and signed a non exclusive deal with a booking agency. Through the agency, I received many opportunities to perform, including being hired to sing at the Loews Portofino Bay Hotel as a soloist, singing classical and jazz standards. I also have had the privilege of singing under the baton of Maestro Pasquale Valerio with the Villages Philharmonic Orchestra for several seasons now. During all this, I have also produced songs for local artists and provided music for several short films. I eventually opened an entertainment company with my singing partner Melanie Byron, where we offer video and audio services to clients.

Through Melanie Byron, I met Wendy Alane Wright, founder of HWC, a business course for actors. Wendy invited me to be the academy’s vocal coach and community mentor for singing. Ms. Wright has also guided me on how to structure my vocal academy and grow my business.

All of these experiences are what have led to my current success as an entrepreneur in the performing arts.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

Regarding the music side of my business, what sets me apart from other vocal coaches in the industry is that I am actively performing professionally at a high level, on a weekly, almost daily basis. With this being said, after I graduated college, I started teaching private voice and piano while trying to pursue my operatic career. Singing professionally really helped with performance and the anxiety that comes with it. I use these experiences to help my students better understand the craft. Most voice teachers are academics and don’t have much performance experience to help guide aspiring singers, which is what sets me apart from others. I’ve been performing and singing pop/R&B from a young age, with my experience in these genres, I am able to help non classical singers obtain a proper and functional singing technique. I also strive to help singers with acting, since I get many clients that are non-actors. This helps my clients with being the best performers they can be on stage and in the recording booth. Incorporating acting into their technique allows them to feel the song, lyrics and all the emotions that come along with the music and lyrics. I also offer other services in my voice studio such as teaching my clients how to properly structure a song and how to record, For local voice clients or for clients willing to travel down to Florida, I offer videography, music production, and photography services. I am most proud of the final result I get after teaching students because they are utilizing a tool box that will serve them for the rest of their career. As an individual performer, I’m actively working on other projects with Grammy winning producers and independent film directors.

For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?

The most rewarding aspect of being an artist or creative, is being able to express my soul through performing. It is truly a transformative experience.

Can you share your view on NFTs? (Note: this is for education/entertainment purposes only, readers should not construe this as advice)

I believe NFT’S are good as suplemental income for the artist and a great creative outlet that can be capitalized on.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://markantoniodevilliers.com
• Instagram: markadevilliers_voicestudio
• Facebook: Mark Antonio de Villiers
• Youtube: @a4thtenor
• Other: tik tok: @a4thtenor

Image Credits

Mark A. de Villiers (Images belong to me)