Today we’d like to introduce you to Micaela Torain.
Hi Micaela, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
I first fell in love with music as a little girl. I remember hearing a song on the radio when I was really young, and even with my limited understanding of the word, I knew that’s what I was meant to do. I was fortunate to have parents who fully supported my dreams, and they immediately put me in piano lessons, then voice lessons as I got older. I started songwriting around age 9 or 10, and I continued to hone those gifts on my own. I gained experience through singing and playing at church, participating in recitals, and various other events for family and friends. I always knew I wanted to pursue music as a career and not just a hobby, and my community was in my corner the entire time. After high school, I attended Liberty University and studied Commercial Music: Artist Development, where I grew as a vocalist, instrumentalist, and songwriter. College was where I was able to develop my skills the most, and I even got opportunities to attend professional songwriting retreats, perform in ensembles, and other gigs. After college, I came home to NC to help my parents move and assist with their growing senior care business. I continue to work as a singer/songwriter and worship leader, to work with my parents, and most recently, have been teaching voice lessons for about two years.
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?
The road has definitely not been smooth. I think many artists face challenges as they try to make creative work commercially viable. I think the biggest challenge I encountered was finding my footing during and after the pandemic. My last semester of college was in 2020, right at the beginning of it all. Finding well-paying gigs as a musician can already be a bit difficult, but it was exponentially more difficult when the world essentially shut down. A lot of the opportunities and internships I wanted to pursue during or post my final year were no longer available. I was able to find an incredible internship with a church and missions organization in Las Vegas, but it wasn’t the kind that would lead to a long-term position. When that internship was over and I was trying to decide my next move, I actually felt like God was telling me to go back home…something I didn’t really want to do. While there’s nothing wrong with working 9 to 5, I was afraid of getting trapped in a menial job that had nothing to do with what I studied and giving up on my dreams after I had worked so hard to achieve them. Shortly after that, my parents actually asked me to return home themselves to help with the business, and I took that as a confirmation that what I was feeling on the inside was the right move. Being home was very hard at first, not because I didn’t love my parents or because I wasn’t grateful for the work, but because returning home after college felt like a step backwards in my trajectory. Having now been home for the past six years, I can now see how being here has not only given me the chance to be there for my family, but also has opened up career doors I never would have expected. In that time, my family’s business has grown, I have started teaching, worked on a film score, attended more professional songwriting retreats, performed at numerous gigs, sung at a wedding in Ethiopia, and led worship at various churches! While I still believe there’s more for me to do with my music, I believe in the Lord’s ability to use our struggles for our ultimate good and the good of those around us. I will never despise the beautiful season I’ve gotten to enjoy in the midst of life’s unexpected curveballs.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
My primary passion is singing and songwriting! I sing several different styles…CCM, gospel, neo soul, jazz, R&B, Motown, etc. I have a very eclectic taste in music, so I choose from a variety of different genres when I am performing for events. I have sung and played covers for weddings, corporate events, senior centers, benefit concerts, etc.
I’m always looking for opportunities to display my original songs as well! I have written songs upon request for friends and family, but I have also ventured into “corporate songwriting.” This is a bit more extensive than jingle writing. I take a company’s mission statement and core values and synthesize them into a fully-produced original song that reflects its ideals. The song can can be used for promotional content, brand recognition, presentations, and team building events. I have done this for nonprofit and for-profit organizations.
For many years, I’ve been a member of the worship team at my church, and also lead worship or play keys for other churches on contract. In addition, I serve as the Worship and Prayer Director for a women’s organization called The Real Movement based in Lynchburg, VA.
For the past two years, I’ve work as a vocal instructor for Music Academy South located in Wake Forest, NC, but I have also taught virtual lessons privately.
Before we let you go, we’ve got to ask if you have any advice for those who are just starting out?
My encouragement would be to practice and to take as many opportunities as possible! I don’t necessarily mean say yes to every gig that falls into your lap, but one of the best ways to get your name out there and to become a stronger performer is to do just that…perform. Try finding gigs that allow you to get comfortable on stage and comfortable engaging with your audience, and prepare for those gigs like they are the most important thing you’ll ever do.
It’s also vital to make sure you cultivate a supportive community around you. Creative work is deeply vulnerable and is often misunderstood, and it thrives in an environment where you as the artist are loved, where people are honest with you, and where people are actually expecting and encouraging you to succeed. You need both creatives and non-creatives in your circle to ensure that you are not all consumed by work, but also to keep you focused on your creative vision.
My biggest and most important piece of advice is to consider how the work you do impacts those who engage with it. For me as a Christian, my artistry is not only an extension of my beliefs, but a means by which I love and serve others. Whether I’m presenting a song I wrote, leading a congregation, or helping a student find their voice…I want it to be a blessing to people on a spiritual level.
Pricing:
- Small Gigs: $75-100+/hour; Large Parties and Weddings: $500-2000+ (flat rate)
- Worship: $200-300/service (singing or keys); $300-400/service (singing and keys); $500-2000+ (retreats/conferences)
- Voiceovers: $25-175+ (depending on word count)
- Voice Lessons: contact Music Academy South Wake Forest for in-person rates; $35-45 (30 min virtual lessons)
- Corporate songwriting: $750-2500/song (nonprofit); $1500-5000+/song (for-profit); rates based on level of production
Contact Info:
- Website: https://micaelatmusic.com
- Instagram: @micaelatmusic
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/micaelatmusic
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/@micaelatmusic?si=jwq6abrmAfA7iMKa
- Other: https://www.musicacademysouth.com/torain
