Rising Stars: Meet Christa of Buford

Today we’d like to introduce you to Christa.

Hi Christa, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
I’m a lover of music and always have been. I was playing the piano by ear before I could walk or talk. Sounds crazy, I know. But honestly, music was my first language. Loving others was second. Then English. lol. Growing in my craft is something I was committed to at a really young age. I’ve maintained my commitment to performing and songwriting. I was also usually leading music in some capacity. Then, when I was a senior in high school, someone asked me to give them a voice lesson for the first time. When I unlocked something in her, it unlocked something in me. It gave my advanced skills a new purpose. While pursuing my undergrad in Music Education, I taught private lessons as a part-time job in the evenings. I was also substituting as a high school choir teacher starting my Sophomore year in college. 2 years after graduation, I started my private lesson business. Now after receiving my masters from Berklee and coming up on my 10 year business anniversary, I’m filled with gratitude.

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
It has not been a smooth road, at all. I’d be lying if I said it was smooth now. Covid was a huge struggle. Out of no where, big performance opportunities were canceled and students stopped lessons. All my streams of income were gone in a flash. Although it was terrifying, COVID forced me to expand into the virtual lesson market. As a result of that, I’ve had the opportunity to teach students from all over the world. Not only that, but that was also the year that I decided to move to Atlanta to expand my brand as a performer and educator. It was tough, but the bumps in the road helped me to land where I am today. And the future inconveniences will bring more wisdom and another level of success.

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
Plainly put, I am going after my own dreams and bringing others along with me through vocal coaching. I specialize in problem solving, skill building, and goal achieving. My approach is holistic based on the belief that sometimes it’s not about technique. Sometimes it’s a physical or mental block that’s stopping one from releasing their true voice. I’m not afraid to get my hands dirty and ask the hard questions to truly set my students free. I am known for my singing voice and I am known for my vocal coaching. Thinking about what I’m most proud of is a really hard question because I’m proud of so many things. I’m proud of the growth of my students. Sometimes I can’t believe what they’ve accomplished. I’m proud of The Restoration Residence, my new online vocal coaching membership program. But honestly, I’m most proud of my ability to keep going. You can’t put a price tag on looking at yourself in the mirror and knowing, deep down inside, that you’re truly giving it your all. No matter what. That makes me proud.

In terms of your work and the industry, what are some of the changes you are expecting to see over the next five to ten years?
I love this question! Call me crazy, but I’m going for it all! I used to share this quote with my high school theatre students, my first classroom teaching job post graduation. It is still my favorite quote today. “Shoot for the moon. Even if you miss, you’ll land among the stars.” I’m not afraid of disappointment anymore. It is inevitable if you’re doing something uncomfortable. Something that scares you a little. Something nuts. I want that EGOT! If I don’t get an EGOT, I’ll settle for a Grammy. I’m also building this business to provide healing artistic instruction for adults and the next generation to come. I’m tired of people sleeping on themselves. I want to help as many people as I can accomplish what they were created to do. If that means being global, opening up a University, setting an example by topping the charts myself, then so be it.

Pricing:

• 1 Hour Vocal Coaching-$100
• Group Class Monthly Subscription- $50

Contact Info:

• Website: https://christadeana.com/restorestudios
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/christa.deana
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/breathhealthrive
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/christadeana/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@ChristaDeana
• Other: https://www.instagram.com/restorestudios

Image Credits
Foto Therapy
Brandon Brown