ADA Artist Management & Representation
Accomplished. Distinctive. Authentic.
Our artists bring a wealth of talents to help realize your vision on the operatic or concert stage.
Are you packing?
More than once in the past few weeks, I’ve talked to singers who are on the road and in desperate need of sheet music for one reason or another. Perhaps they are working for an opera company that has asked them to perform at an informal gathering of donors or sponsors. Maybe they are traveling for personal reasons and have the chance to sing an impromptu audition for the local symphony or opera company. Alternatively, they could be performing a recital and (after traveling to the concert venue) realize they have forgotten to pack a favorite encore selection to cap off their program. Do you need to pack your music wherever you go? Maybe not…
As we live in an ever-increasingly digital age where connectivity abounds, it’s pretty easy to develop a personal online digital library of your music. Take your audition folder, recital book, or favorite party pieces and scan them to pdf files. Sign up for any number of free or almost-free online document storage sites, download your sheet music, and you will always have your important pieces online – or literally at your fingertips as many of the best file storage solutions today come with their own applications for iPhones and Blackberry devices. You should make sure to make your stored files are private so that you do not violate any copyright laws, but you’ll never be stuck again without music – in your key with your original markings!
A couple of the most popular storage options available for little or no cost:
Take a little time to find a great new copier that will convert your copies all in one step and send your music straight to your email… you’ll be happy you did!
The New Website Design(er)
When I joined ADA Artists this past October, one of my charges from Ana was to update the look and feel of our young, dynamic agency… logo, letterhead, cards, and website. Our new online home went live yesterday, and while we are still plugging away loading new data and publicity materials (press kits, audio samples, videos, photos, etc.) I’ve been getting many inquiries asking who is responsible for the renovation. This was a major update for ADA Artists, and I knew that the decision of who to trust with the project was a big one. Instinctively, I turned to Michael Mahoney at Hat Head Studios. I’ve known Michael for about a decade now, and watched his business thrive due to his unique skill set. First and foremost, Michael is an artist. Not just a visual artist, but an artist in every sense of the word. He is an actor, photographer, entertainer, painter, graphic designer, singer, comedian, poet, and skilled debater (sometimes irritatingly so!). Second, he is my most technically-savvy friend – always ahead of the latest programming curve, and never scared to quickly ramp up his knowledge whenever required by a new project.
Ana and I spoke with Michael via email in October, secured his involvement and settled on a time-line in which to implement this image makeover. Our new logo was developed in a matter of days. Cards and letterhead followed shortly thereafter. Finally, in late October, we met with Michael in his Manhattan studio to discuss what we wanted in this new interactive publicity machine. As the budgets of performing arts organizations get tighter, and artists are forced to make important decisions about their own finances, it has become crucial for companies to be able to find high quality information about our artists in an extremely efficient manner. Casting directors who can no longer afford an annual trip to New York have little choice but to rely on colleague recommendations and thorough online profiles to assist them with last-minute as well as long-range casting strategies. Artists who might be working during audition season or cannot afford to take expensive audition trips need to be sure that their talent is being well-represented and accurately documented in their absence.
We requested a site that was user-friendly, clean, intuitive and artistic. We wanted it to comprehensively showcase the compelling individuals who populate our roster of artists and reflect the ever-changing nature of our industry. The design and framework he provided us a scant two months later surpassed our rather lofty hopes and expectations, and I believe that we’re poised to be able to meet the demand of companies and fans across the globe. Just after our main site went live, he introduced us to the sleek, simple design of our roster-driven travel blog. Today, we were treated to a preview of our email newsletter which further dazzled us beyond measure. I can’t wait to send our first official email announcement to all our friends and colleagues detailing our company’s distinct branding and renewed commitment to our artists’ careers. Take a moment to sign up for our newsletter at the bottom of any page on our new site and when our digital newsletter hits your email box you’ll see one more reason to hire an artist in tech-geek’s clothing!
–Ryan
A New Chapter Begins!
Welcome to 2010, a new year, a new website and a new chapter for ADA Artist Management. These are very exciting times for our team and artists, and we can’t wait to share it with you. It comes as no surprise that our business, and our country, has been going through rough economic times. Instinctively, I saw this as an opportunity to grow and invest in what was a small, personal endeavor and has now expanded.
It has been five and a half years since I decided to open my own management firm. Based on my experience as a singer and administrator, I wanted to create a company that saw the industry from the artists’ perspective. I envisioned a management team that worked as hard as their artists in the pursuit of perfecting their craft. Several years later, I am a now joined by two fantastic colleagues helping me take the company to the next level. We are a young, energetic team with diverse backgrounds and one common goal: to make a positive impact in regularly connecting our “Accomplished, Distinctive and Authentic” artists with great performing organizations throughout the Americas and the world.
We hope to use our new website not only for industry professionals searching for artists to populate their seasonal rosters, but also to reach aspiring vocalists, conductors and directors. For those starting to gain a foothold in this business as well as more established artists, information is power and a new perspective can be invaluable. Whenever possible we will strive to provide information and opinion about the industry from our side of the table. This business is a dynamic one that thrives in a constant state of flux. For opera-lovers, we hope to provide an in-depth “backstage” look at the process, the ups and downs of an artistic existence, and our personal thoughts on the Business Of Opera.
Everyone on the ADA Management team is a performing artist whose career has taken a new turn. We intimately understand how difficult every stage of a career in the music industry can be, and we’re committed to our artists at every phase of the journey. We understand that this career is an ongoing process – one that we love for its passion, flexibility and transformative potential. Its character is cyclical and yet utterly unpredictable. A quick glance at our calendar provides a roadmap for this rewarding voyage, and we hope that you will join us, and our artists, for this hectic ride from audition and preparation to performance and celebration…there will be many wonderful milestones ahead!
– Ana