Today we’d like to introduce you to Fran LaVoix.
Hi Fran, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
I started my musical and educational journey at home, coming from a family of musicians, scientists, and professionals. I always enjoyed music class in school and I was involved in the children’s ministry musicals at my church. Music was something that always provided me confidence and safety in how I express myself, so as a timid girl, I clung to that. I eventually joined the youth ensemble at my church while I was in choir in high school. I eventually started assisting leading the youth choir, then, when the director unfortunately left the church, I began to lead it. At school, I go to to competitions, and between music in church, school, and my love for hip hop, RnB and gospel music, I was busy, but I knew I needed to grow in many areas of my life. I decided upon graduating high school to study music education, which helped me learn how to arrange, compose, blend and present music of all kinds. I was classically trained, and I used my love for urban music as a foundation in my teachings. I began teaching at music schools, singing at church and with any opportunity that helped me build my solo and teaching craft. For a few years, my focus shifted away from music almost completely, and I became a support to many of my friends in the industry, but not doing anything musically for myself. Though life and personal growing pains had me go down detours in my music, in 2018, I officially started my company, The Musings Group, where we focus on fine arts, vocal coaching, musical development and all areas of musical inspiration….or musings. As of this year, I’ve decided to take less students and focus on my solo artistry, because I like to practice what I’m passionate about so that I can teach and learn as I go. I am releasing new music, collaborating with great artists through vocal coaching, I work with a musical collective that is looking to perform regularly and record our own music as well. I am also doing other solo projects that I can’t wait for the world to see and hear.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
My journey to date hasn’t been smooth, and I’m grateful for that because I’ve learned from it. I struggled a lot with how to communicate, how to deal with different personalities, and overcoming my insecurities as a person, an artist and as a professional. These difficulties stemmed from my childhood, which lead to me having a rough time being able to express myself in the best ways. I didn’t want to put myself out there because I didn’t have the confidence, courage and charisma to be engaging….so I thought. I also struggled with people thinking my music was just something to do, and I didn’t have the support I thought I would for various reasons. At one point I got tired of how life was going, so slowly but surely, I decided to make changes that has been materializing in and through me. Through my relationship with God, HIS Word, great supportive but accountable friends, and mental health practices, I have become comfortable in my artistry. Day by day, I break shackles over my old ways of thinking and reacting and I definitely see a difference in how I perform. I feel free and comfortable each time I sing, teach or collaborate with others. I am grateful for the continuous growth interpersonally that shows itself externally and through my artistry and teaching.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I am a music educator, singer, songwriter and collaborator. I specialize in vocal performance, vocal coaching, vocal arranging, songwriting, and choral conducting. I am the most proud of the music that I have helped create for others including my own. I am also proud to be part of a musical collective with amazing musicians. You’ll definitely hear more from us soon.
What sets me apart is that I am moving at my own pace, and I express my creativity in my own terms. I work best when I’m challenged, but not forced. I look at what’s happening and I participate in what I know I can manage…. In other words, I’m not keeping up with the Jones’s….I am Fran LaVoix and I keep up with what God wants for me. I’m open to learn and try what I know I can accomplish. I am a creative that isn’t afraid to share a testimony of ups, downs and changes along the way.
What has been the most important lesson you’ve learned along your journey?
The most important lesson I’ve learned in my journey is to trust God so that I can trust myself. I spent a long time surrounded by people who made me feel like my ideas and my thoughts were founded on nonsense…. So I started to seek advice and seek guidance from everywhere and everyone. Trying to apply humility, I thought that listening to other perspectives and seeing how I could adapt them to my life meant that I wasn’t a know-it-all. I realize that the people who made me feel like I didn’t know what I was talking about were often misguided too…. So it taught me that we all fall short and that just because someone seems to have the most logical advice, it doesn’t mean that it will always apply to me. As a result, I’m very careful to not overstep my boundaries with people when it comes to information as well as being able to take in the meat and spit out the bones of what people give me, I’ve learned to test every single spirit of information and to be humble enough to hear when something is for me that I can apply to my life so that I could be better in every shape or form.
Pricing:
- Vocal Coaching starting at $50/weekly
- Add on piano and music theory skills pricing varies on need.
- Songwriting (based on consultation and need)
- Performance request/bookings (based on performance requirements)
Contact Info:
- Website: https://Themusingsgroup.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/franlavoix and https://www.instagram.com/themusingsgroup
