2017 VIP'S
Below are some of the influential directors, producers, casting agents and talent scouts that have been associated with Vocal Sport over the years. Through referrals from Vocal Sport, they have provided countless professional opportunities to contestants and winners. Casting agents from national TV talent shows also regularly contact Vocal Sport to recruit talent. They have selected many singers from referrals and from the Vocal Sport YouTube channel to attend special auditions. As a result, several singers have been featured on television. See Success Stories.
McKay Crockett
McKay Crockett is an award-winning producer, arranger, and highly sought-after performance coach. Under McKay's influence as a gifted clinician and director, his clients have appeared on every major television network in the U.S., and have toured stages on nearly every continent of the world. McKay appeared on NBC's The Sing-Off with the internationally acclaimed group Vocal Point, sharing the stage with artists like Sara Bareilles, Ben Folds, and Shawn Stockman (Boyz II Men). He now serves as faculty at Brigham Young University where he directs Vocal Point and oversees the production of their albums and music videos. McKay also is the Creative Director for Breakaway Productions, a media/production company creating music and content for artists around the world. McKay's arrangements and original music have been published by Sony/Epic Records, Shadow Mountain Records, BYU Records and more. McKay has a Bachelor's Degree in Media Music Studies from Brigham Young University, and continues to write, arrange, and produce music for artists everywhere.
Bart Olson
Bart Olson is the Music Director of Shadow Mountain Records based in Salt Lake City [Shadow Mountain Records and Highway Records are record labels of Desert Book]. Bart has been performing professionally for over 20 years. Early in his career he was signed to Capitol Records and toured all over the US performing for audiences ranging from a few hundred to 40,000. He has won top awards from international jazz festivals. He is also a sought after studio drummer and has performed on recordings for hundreds of songwriters and bands, as well as Disney, Epic Games, and Hollywood movie soundtracks. Under Bart’s direction, Vocal Sport winner, Madilyn Paige, released her self-titled EP with Highway Records.
Nik Day
Nik Day is a singer and producer and works for the LDS Church as a product developer. He oversees the annual Mutual Theme album, which he writes with LDS youth. Many of his songs are also featured on recent EFY albums. Nik recently released his new album titled Miracle with Shadow Mountain Records and is a presenter for Deseret Book's nationwide Time Out For Women events. Nik has a degree in Media Music from Brigham Young University and has written for local groups such as Hudson Lights, Beyond 5 and The Strike. Music has always been a part of Nik's life experiences. He recorded his first album, Interesting Shade of Blue, named for the jazz and blues influences of his own unique writing style. Nik’s YouTube channel features music videos that have received up to half a million views each.
Debra Bonner
Debra Bonner is the Master Vocal Coach and Managing Director for One Voice International which trains those who are interested in discovering their “true voice.” This unparalleled program teaches individuals to sing naturally while liberating them from self-limiting behavior and negative emotions that are keeping them from their potential. Debra has been an associate to two of the most celebrated vocal pedagogues of the twentieth century, Richard Miller for nine years and Seth Riggs for over fifteen years. She holds a Master's Degree in Vocal Performance from the University of Michigan. Debra’s studios have trained Grammy and Tony Award Winners. She was the Vocal Coach for World Peace One, an organization of super stars dedicated to promoting world peace. Debra sang and recorded as Guest Soloist with the Mormon Tabernacle Choir and has been featured on gospel, jazz and classical recordings. She has performed extensively worldwide. Debra and One Voice International are seeking great talent for the purpose of developing outstanding singers and voice teachers.
Sherri Whitehead
Sherri Whitehead co-created Vocal Sport in 2012 as a platform to showcase aspiring artists in Utah and beyond. What started as a typical talent contest soon elevated to a vehicle for soloists and groups to network with influential people in the entertainment industry. Sherri is approached regularly by casting directors for multiple nationally-televised singing competitions and has provided them countless contestant videos (via links to the Vocal Sport YouTube channel). As a result of her ongoing referrals, many Vocal Sport contestants have been invited to special auditions, including Madilyn Paige, who was featured on season 6 of The Voice and rose to the top 20. Sherri also assisted in helping Madilyn line up a record deal with Deseret Book/Shadow Mountain Records. Other referrals include Aaliyah Rose who was featured in season 12 of The Voice (and also rose to the top 20), Noelle Bybee who was featured on season 8, and Lauryn Judd who was featured on season 12. In addition to running Vocal Sport, Sherri also manages the contemporary vocal group, SPARK, made up of several former competition participants and winners. SPARK is a hosting sponsor for the 2017 Vocal Sport competitions! Check them out at the link below.
SPONSORS
Click on links below
SPARK is made up of former Vocal Sport winners and participants! Click here!