This is a one-on-one session, usually of short duration, with private consulting/coaching with working Singer-Mentors currently based in Italy, France, Germany, England, the USA and Canada. The Mentor's assignment is to quickly access the Artists' development: vocal, language, stage, business, marketing, and managerial status; define areas that need improvement and deliver resources and solutions to make the necessary adjustments and improvments, thus arming the Artist with the tools to solve his or her career problems and get the career up and running. We want the Artists we work with successfully launched in the profession; not lost in a vague grey zone between amateur and professional life. This program is also ideally suited to working professionals new, perhaps, to a specific country, who have to "learn the ropes" of careering in a certain part of the world---what we can do to help is offer specific career assistance for many of the problems that come up in the course of a an international career. Knowing full well the typical financial situation of a young singer at the outset of a career, the fee is geared to a tight budget, and will be assisted by foundation support, so the cost to the Artist, is greatly reduced. CMI Arts also firmly believes that the assistance it has to offer be accessible, and to those who need it most, therefore, there is a consulting/mentoring ceiling of $65 per hour for the services offered. About half the price or less of many private lessons. Our aim is to help, and offer genuine assistance to Artists who need answers to their problems. OUR MENTORS Work with these singers of note is by private arrangement, and part of each Mentor's commitment is to make time available each calendar year, dedicated to this very special task. Upon application for either the Mentor Program or Private consulting, we will then contact the Artist privately with a list of names of Mentors/Consultants who are avail. in the period, along with their biographical materials and credentials, and from which the Artist may choose. We invite only the best Mentors to participate in our Program in order to facilitate the development of the Artist. We believe the Mentor Program to be a highly rewarding program for all involved, which will enrich the artistic future of classical music. We offer a millennium solution to the traditional Apprentice/Great Master relationship of centuries past, well-known in the artistic world, one based on quality time together in the true sense of collaboration, with someone a little older and wiser who will share priceless information and experience of the profession with you, much of which can only come from someone out in the field. We, as working professionals ourselves, know the time and effort involved to sing well enough to enter the career, the years of investment and sacrifice, as we have done it ourselves, and are doing it now. We therefore believe these moments spent together are precious for both the Artist and the Mentor, as they signify the passing on of a great and special art, an art which enriches the lives of men. This is a great and precious thing. Few singers arrive at the skill level necessary to even entertain thoughts of entering the profession, then of those who do, because of the obstacles which currently block rather than facilitate the development and survival of artists, less than one third of one percent of those who attempt the career, will ever actually manage to earn a living and survive solely on singing. We would like to change the odds of these statistics, by helping each other, sharing our knowledge and resources with those who can most benefit from them, empower our young singers so they too will be encouraged, strengthened, and endowed that they may thrive; it is our chance to give back, and our hope is to inspire our Artists, so they in turn, will also want to give back to their younger colleagues, and thus continue this important work. We want to protect and nurture the talent and Artists in the world today, and it is in this light that the idea for the Mentor Program and Private Consulting were born. COST The cost is a very simple flat rate: US $75 per hour, or for those based in Euros, 50 Euro per hour, about ½ the hourly cost of lessons, coaching, or consulting with a reputable teacher in New York or major European city. It can be accomplished on site where the Mentor is based, or in the case of private consulting, can even be effected over the telephone, or by way of e-mail correspondance. There are many ways to work. The Artist defines the sort of Project he or she wants to realize together with the Mentor, and if it is an on-site Mentoring Project, then all we ask is that there be a minimum of 10 hours total to the project, which is $750 US. Additional hours can be arranged as desired, and cost the same flat hourly rate. In some cases, the housing is free: a gift from your Mentor. In cases where this is not possible, and if budget is a problem, we can try to find volunteer host families, or inexpensive hotels. American citizens in career can deduct the cost of either an Artist/Mentor Project or Private Consulting sessions on their taxes as a business expense, and citizens of other countries can probably do the same if working professionally. APPLICATION: Write to us, indicating your interest in pursuing the Artist/Mentor Project, or inquire about Private Consulting, and tell us what the problem is, or what you need to accomplish, and when. We'll be back in touch with you. Then if you wish to proceed, we will give you a list of possible Mentors/Consultants, and you can choose your Mentor/Consultant, and let us know how to proceed. You are under no obligation until a definite selection and period are made, so if you don't like the choices or availability we offer, no problem. Just tell us. E-mail us here: mentors@cmi-arts.com Please contact the office first before sending any hard copy material, so we can confirm which mailing address to use. Voicemail/Fax Worldwide:+1-419-730-6490 NOTE: Please, Please, Please Contact us by E-mail, call the office, or send us a fax BEFORE sending out your materials and any hard copy packages. Thank you!