Meet Carmen Woodruff

Today we’d like to introduce you to Carmen Woodruff.

Hi Carmen, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
I am a virtual/online vocal coach and my students span the country and the globe. They represent all ages and levels. At the moment, I teach students in Nashville and I have colleagues in Nashville from my alma mater, the Berklee College of Music.

Detroit metropolitan native Carmen Woodruff’s experience spans more than two decades and has led her to South Africa, Germany, China, the Netherlands, Belgium, and most recently Spain, where she’s played a part in festivals, clinics, corporate events, and productions.

Stateside, Carmen honed her skills at the Detroit International Jazz Festival, Busch Gardens, Walt Disney World, Lakewood Church, and the U.S. Coast Guard, learning from the greats, including many of today’s top names in jazz and contemporary music. Carmen specializes in teaching and performing many styles of contemporary music.

Carmen earned her Bachelor of Arts in Music from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, and her Master of Music in Contemporary Vocal Performance on the Berklee College of Music’s Valencia, Spain campus-where she was selected to serve as the student commencement speaker-followed by a post master’s fellowship on the Berklee College of Music’s Boston campus.

Carmen currently resides in Las Vegas.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
It has definitely not been the smoothest road.

It took a lot of courage to go back to school for music after working in a different profession for nearly a decade. I went back to school in Las Vegas for my second bachelor’s, this time in music, and eventually made my way to my dream master’s program in Valencia, Spain at the Berklee College of Music.

Ultimately, I’m able to work in journalism, marketing, and music which blends all of my degrees and work experience. I feel as if I’ve finally been shaken into my own combination of all of the things I love the most. My first degree was earned in Journalism and Mass Communication from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I specialize in contemporary performance (all genres non-classical: jazz, blues, rock, pop, musical theater, etc.) and teaching at all levels – pre-school to university to private lessons.

I’m most proud of my work with the U.S. Coast Guard and my self-written and self-produced one-woman show in tribute to Ella Fitzgerald. I presented it in Spain and Boston.

What sets me apart from others is my mastery of contemporary music pedagogy, history, and performance and my eclectic skill set in communications and the arts. I personally enjoy performing jazz and always find ways to support and keep jazz alive in some way.

We’d love to hear what you think about risk-taking?
It was a huge risk to shift gears and pursue my passion for music. One must take a risk to grow, especially if they have a dream on fire inside of them.

My website is CarmenWoodruff.com.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.carmenwoodruff.com
• Instagram: @carmenonvocals
• Facebook: @carmenonvocals
• Youtube: @carmenwoodruff

Image Credits
Carmen Woodruff and Naomi Fears Williams