Today we’d like to introduce you to Elizabeth Davidson.
So, before we jump into specific questions, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
I started taking piano lessons when I was only three years old. My most vivid memory from childhood was the day I had my first piano lesson. For months before my third birthday, I had been begging my grandmother to let me play the piano just like my older brother. My grandmother and the piano instructor both agreed to start me on lessons once I turned the age of three. What I thought was just another lesson observation with my brother ended up becoming my very first piano lesson. The piano instructor turned to me and said “Elizabeth, it’s your turn”. I quickly jumped up and bolted to the piano. I wasn’t even tall enough to get up on the bench by myself. Little did I know that moment would ignite my passion to become a professional in the music industry.
Growing up, I always thought I’d become a piano instructor myself. Although I do teach piano today, my main music industry focus took a turn while in college. Originally, I was accepted to study Piano Performance at Furman University in Greenville, SC. While I was in the program, I became involved with Women’s Chorale, Jazz Ensemble, Trumpet Studio, and Sigma Alpha Iota International Music Fraternity (Class of 2016 Treasurer). However, as I honed into my craft, I fell out of love with solely performance and became infatuated with Music Business. In 2017, I transferred to Florida Atlantic University where I received my Bachelor in Commercial Music – Music Business in May 2019 with Magna Cum Laude honors. While at Florida Atlantic University, I had the opportunity to sing and play keyboard in an alternative rock band setting. I also gained real-life experience working as Director of Events at the two times Latin Grammy-nominated record label Hoot/Wisdom Recordings LLC. At Hoot/Wisdom, I assisted with publicity outreach, event planning, and artist development.
In addition to working at the record label, I interned for The Catalyst Publicity Group and started managing a local alternative-rock band named Toledo. As I began to become more involved in managing Toledo, I found my true passion in the music industry. I then created my company Amp It Up! Creative Consultants LLC and continued my education by pursuing a Masters in Arts Presenting and Live Entertainment Management at the University of Miami Frost School of Music. Although my classical training will always be close to my heart, I have immersed myself into the commercial music scene both personally by picking up some new instruments, and professionally through my company. As I once dedicated myself to becoming a classical pianist, I now have the calling to dedicate my life to helping others who have the passion, commitment, and creativity to prosper within the music industry.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
Jumpstarting my company was the biggest struggle. Although I had the passion to start my business, it was difficult to know where to begin. Before anything, I had to think of a company name. I spent days thinking and researching possible names but couldn’t think of anything that would stick. One night, I woke up from a dream where I saw a brightly lit neon sign with the name “Amp It Up!”. I immediately grabbed my phone and wrote down in my notes all the possibilities to go along with that phrase. The next day I filed as an LLC. I then had to take time to formulate a valuable mission, vision, and strategic plan for the company. These aspects are what create the foundation for a company along with budgeting and building a team. The handling of finances must be approached to ensure goals of accuracy and transparency for any company. I needed to ensure my company would start off cost-effective with expenses through a proper monitoring procedure. I was doing everything on my own, and still am. I started off the business not knowing anything about what it took to be a small business owner. I just jumped started the company on a dream…literally!
Please tell us about Amp It Up! Creative Consultants.
My company is an Artist Management and Public Relations Consulting Firm. I run campaign plans for clients where we focus on marketing for their latest music release. During these campaign plans, I work on marketing strategies for artist branding and image, create or update artist bios, plan out a social media timeline, and write up pitches and press releases which are then sent out through my press list for the release. From the artist management perspective, I manage scheduling, branding, marketing and social media, advise the band when legal issues arise and when contracts are presented, organize dates for recording sessions, photoshoots and interviews, and advise on the projection of image to appropriate demographics, venues, and outlets. As a company, I’m proud of how much we cover for the artist. My goal with this company is to provide a secure career plan for clients and provide the developmental tools needed for a keen campaign plan tailored to my client’s needs. This company does not just provide services, but it is set up specifically to provide lasting and real relationships with my clients to help further and foster their creativity and career as musicians.
If you had to go back in time and start over, would you have done anything differently?
If I had to start over, I would not have done anything differently. As put perfectly by the painter Bob Ross, “There are no mistakes, only happy accidents”. The one advice I would like to give others who want to achieve a dream, whether it is becoming a business owner or a top artist, is not to give up on your dream and don’t take no for an answer. In a personal conversation I had with Andy Elisburg, Senior Vice President, Basketball Operations/General Manager of the Miami Heat, Elisburg told me to follow whatever I dream of doing. Elisburg said people will tell you that you can’t or you are not capable of doing that, but you have to ignore it, move on, and grow in who you are and never give up on what you want to become. He told me there are people who will be better than you, but you will become better than them if you do the work, be persistent, and never lose motivation or give up on your dream. These were the best words of advice anyone has given me. Since that conversation, I followed his advice and will continue to live my dream.
Contact Info:
- Website: ampitupcc.com
- Email: ampitupcc@gmail.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ampitupcc/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ampitupcc
Image Credit:
Miguel Gonzalez-Pinera; Alexia Haag; Lissa Compton
Suggest a story: VoyageMIA is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
