Behind-the-Scenes: An American Celebrity Vocal Coach

Stacy Smith is in the house! A celebrity vocal consultant to nearly every major record label in the US, Stacy boasts an international client roster of artists across genres. Her elite training and experience have given her an impressive background in today’s contemporary music. Songwriters who have developed under her guidance now have hit songs with some of the biggest names in today’s pop music industry, including Dua Lipa, Meghan Trainer, and The Chainsmokers.

Stacy Smith
 

She now brings her unique skill set to Dubai, working with talent of all ages and levels to learn how to sing and speak confidently.

“My passion is to help other artists at any age uncover their “next level” potential,” says Stacy. “Doing so using their own voice and life’s story is incredibly powerful.”

Stacy Smith is considered to be one of the most experienced voice coaches, music industry artist developers and vocal producers in the Middle East today. She also focuses largely on the performance aspect for both singers and voice-actors, guiding them to explore and develop who they are as unique artists.

Her love of music isn’t just a profession, it’s an identity. When Stacy was just 12 years old, she was accepted to study classical voice at the esteemed Eastman School of Music in her hometown of Rochester, NY. At 17, she moved to NYC and continued her theatrical and classical voice training under the direct tutelage of operatic soprano Dodi Protero at the world famous Juilliard School.

However, it wasn’t until she found herself in her first recording studio when her life changed.

She was asked by producers to record vocals for a signed Universal Record’s girl group. This ultimately led to singing background for other known artists and, later, song writing placements on shows for MTV and VH1.

Stacy recalls, “A fellow songwriter referred me to the legendary pop coach, Don Lawrence (Bono, Lady Gaga, Christina Aguilera). I was very young, broke and alone in the city. I worked double shifts to pay for my 30 min lessons with him - the most important part of my week ! ”

Mr Lawrence eventually helped Stacy land her first development deal with Atlantic Records and song placements of her own. A year later, she worked with another producer who encouraged her to coach local metal bands and teach at a music school two blocks away from the studio.

Stacy continued building her career while helping fellow musicians and writers with their vocals. She developed young talent for appearances on Broadway, award shows and network TV shows such as The Voice, BET awards, MTV music awards, Good Day New York and The Jimmy Kimmel show. From there, she went on to become one of America’s most in-demand coaches for recording artists in the music industry - and she now brings that talent to the UAE.

In addition to the music world, Stacy was a regular On-Air Presenter for the former Dance FM 97.8 in Dubai. Stacy herself has also been the voice actor for hundreds of international radio and television advertisements, with her most recent project including the development of an animation series.