What is your greatest passion or joy as a singer, voice teacher, or vocal professional?
As a singer I find joy being able to express my feelings through music, it is my passion to write my own songs and be able to help people relate to them as well, so we can all enjoy or heal by singing, and create a more colorful world. As a voice teacher or vocal coach, I have absolutely found my passion teaching, helping others find their own sound and/or get out of their comfort zones, improve their singing and just be free with their voices and see how far they can take them. We are constantly surprising ourselves, which is a fun life experience which we are able to make our way of living, for what I am eternally grateful!
Tell us the latest news about you, your studio, and your work!
I started my vocal studio here in Costa Rica about a year ago, and so far it has been going really well, I hope that it keeps growing and to be able to reach as many people as possible to help them achieve their goals.
As far as my music career goes, I’m part of an all-female funk band, which has been growing its popularity here in Costa Rica over the past year, we are about to record some video/studio sessions and hope to start recording our original songs as well this year.
In my solo career as a singer, I am so so happy that I have just released my latest single called “Expectations” which has been such a success, as people seem to love it! So that is wonderful and I’m so thankful that it has been such a hit!
What is an interesting or funny fact about you?
I try to have other activities in the art field as well, as a complement to my performance as a singer, so I practice afro dance, pole sport and most recently have started yoga! Physical and mental health is really important for me as a songwriter and performer.
What led you to the NYVC Voice Teacher Training & Certification Program?
Well I had followed Justin through his youtube channel for years prior, I loved the content of the NYVC channel. Later on, one of my students who is a well-known hardcore singer here in Costa Rica was taking lessons with me at the same time he was taking virtual lessons with Nicolas Hormazabal, to improve his vocal distortions, and took my classes to help with other styles of singing. He insisted in us meeting, so we did, we started to follow each other on Instagram and I found out Nicolas had graduated from NYVC so I applied to it, I didn’t know about the program or had heard of it before, is not really that common here in Costa Rica, once I got in, I tried my best to graduate from it and became the first and so far the only person from my country to be an NYVC VTT graduate.
What was your experience in the NYVC Voice Teacher Training & Certification Program?
I can assure you it has changed my life, because I am helping people realize they can do more than they had ever thought even possible, singers are constantly reaching for my services, and I love to help in any way that I can, applying the very unique tools I was provided by being a part of this program. It helped me grow into a better professional, it answer a lot of my concerns and questions I had prior to taking the training and I still review the lessons constantly.
What advice would you give to future participants of the Program? Take as much as you can from it, ask away and don’t be shy, this is a once in a lifetime opportunity, you might as well make the most of it! Go in with an open mind and ready to have your mind blown.
What is the biggest challenge you’ve faced as an artist, teacher, or vocal professional?
Self-sabotaging is always a big one, not believing that you are good enough forsomething is a constant fight, bad days do happen, but it’s important to keep your head up and know that it will eventually pass and the sun will come out again. Try to trust the process and be patient and loving to yourself through that journey, try to teach and sing with love and understanding as we are all battling something and are able to heal through singing.
What was your greatest victory ever as an artist, teacher, or vocal professional?
As an artist it has been to be able to produce and write my own music, as genuine as possible and release it to the world!
As a teacher, my student’s victories are also mine, so to see them happy with their progress makes me happy as well. I’ve had students who thought they could never sing that well and now have performed in concerts in front of hundreds of people, realizing they can do anything they set their mind to.
As a vocal professional I have also improved my vocal technique so much since graduating from NYVC, using Justin’s method and teachings.
What is one piece of advice that you would love all singers to know?
As I mentioned before, it is to trust the process in your vocal journey and treat yourself kindly through it, as we are all constantly learning and improving. If you’re not happy with your sound, try to seek the resources, courses, classes, vocal coaching or programs that will help you grow as a singer and accommodate best to your situation, to become better you have to work for it and practice, practice, practice!
What is something you've learned on your journey that you would love other vocal professionals to know?
That many of the things that we tend to think are impossible, are just in our heads, if we work hard enough, make a constant effort, and keep practicing you will become better, discipline and hard work are key as well. If we train our body and try to maintain a healthy life, it’s amazing what it will allow you to do!
How can we find out more about you and your work?
You can check my work in the following:
Instagram:
@marielcorderosinger
@thevocalcordstudio
@mawoofunk
Youtube:
Mariel Cordero
Spotify & apple music- Mariel Cordero
Check out my latest release "Expectations" out in all music platforms!
