Are you a musician who has been struggling to get noticed?
Do you feel like your entire career rises and falls on the whims of others?
I know how you feel. For years, I was waiting for the right people to “notice” me and my talents.
Over and over, I would get hired for the same gigs, but never felt like my career was on an upward trajectory…
…until I decided to take my career into my own hands.
Imagine…
Using the talents you already have to create something that will make you stand out from the crowd.
Having plenty of time in your busy schedule to polish your art and give it the best parts of you.
Raising funds with ease, all the while growing your fans and sponsors along the way.
This is entirely possible, and I am here to help.
Hi there! I’m Maren Montalbano – singer, writer, and business coach to musicians.
You might have seen me performing at Lincoln Center, Walt Disney Concert Hall, or even on stage with the Rolling Stones (I’m still pinching myself about that one)!
…or you might have seen me wandering about the Renaissance Faire in full garb, complete with requisite cleavage on display. 😘
On the outside, it might seem like I’ve got it all together…
- I’m singing on 4 GRAMMY Award-winning albums
- I collaborate with and record works by Pulitzer Prize-winning composers
- I wrote and produced a one-woman show exploring sexuality and gender power dynamics – and successfully premiered it in the middle of a pandemic!
But the road to where I am now has not been a straight line. It’s full of twists and turns and a whole lot of heartache.
For years I lived in a constant state of self-doubt, knowing deep down that I had something really special to share with the world but worried what other people might think of me if I took the spotlight. I was plagued by an insidious voice in my head telling me I wasn’t worthy of any attention… the few solos I did get were clearly flukes, according to this voice.
(I wonder if you are familiar with that voice too.)
Because of these doubts and fears, I figured I should content myself with staying in the background – being the helper, the sidekick.
But something else – a different voice, a quieter voice – kept nudging me forward, bit by bit, asking me what my legacy would be. At first I thought having children would be my legacy…but as each childless year went by, it became clear that motherhood was not in the cards for me.
It wasn’t until I was faced with the possibility of having to start my career over completely that I took a chance on the power of my own artistry.
I recorded and produced my debut solo album, one which featured music exclusively written and performed by women.
And suddenly I realized what kind of legacy I wanted to leave on the world: one in which marginalized voices are given a platform on which to be heard.
Fast forward to today: that album has led to opportunities like…
- Prestigious recitals
- National tours (in which I was a featured soloist)
- Composers reaching out to me because they wanted to write for my voice!
More importantly, creating that album – producing it by myself, fundraising for it and marketing it all on my own – gave me the confidence I needed to show up as a woman who was able to make a positive and meaningful impact on the world with her art.
Leaning into my own creativity upleveled my career more than any audition ever could.
I want this success for you, too.
I truly believe that when you stop listening to the voice of fear – the one that tells you you’re not worthy or that nobody wants to hear you – and start paying attention to that still, small voice in your heart… THAT is when you tap into the impact you are meant to make on the world.
And THAT is when you become your most powerful, your most visible, and your most magnetic.
(and all of a sudden very hireable!)
So I want to know… what is YOUR inner voice nudging you to create?
What Former Clients Have to Say…
“Our work together has really helped me to heal some old self-doubt scar tissue, and it’s complemented my emotional work on myself, my artistry, and my confidence so much.” – M.K., soprano
“I have struggled with my own grant-writing ability. After [working with Maren], I am equipped with a new tool box and feel much more confident!” – L.K., mezzo-soprano
“Before I worked with Maren, I wanted to hide my music. Now I am confident that my work will be well received. Maren has such a warm and supportive personality but at the same time she keeps you focused on your goal.” – E.K., cello
I help musicians take their careers to the next level.
What does that mean, exactly?
For some people, that might mean self-producing an album like I did. For others, that might mean building a music festival from the ground up or simply creating a recital.
There is no one-size-fits-all solution, which is why I offer my clients customized support.
What are my qualifications?
I am certified in NLP (Neuro-Linguistic Programming), and my coaching style also integrates Sydney Banks’ Three Principles, Nancy Kline’s Thinking Environment, and Brooke Castillo’s The Model. I have over two decades of administrative experience in both for-profit and non-profit industries, from HSBC Bank to the GRAMMY Award-winning choir The Crossing. Plus, I have been a part of the music industry my entire life (it’s true! My parents were musicians, so I grew up in the industry).
Getting coached by me might look different on any given day. But no matter what, I always provide a safe, non-judgmental container in which you can voice your doubts, dream big, and practice becoming the person who has already achieved your goal.
If you’re ready to take your career into your own hands, schedule a call! Let’s see if we can work together.