We had the good fortune of connecting with Lauren Carter and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Lauren, how has your work-life balance changed over time?
Work/life balance is essential to me. Being self-employed and setting my own schedule, I can always work out 5-6 times a week, which is crucial for my mental and physical health. I also try to maintain friendships and fit in time for socializing. I also balance time each week between the two prongs of my career: my coaching business and my performance career. This entails setting hours for coaching, practicing, writing music, marketing, etc. My Google calendar is essential, and I’m constantly revising it. I’ve honed all of these elements over the years to best support my priorities.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?

Old Hollywood always comes to mind if I had to summarize my aesthetic throughout my career. I am drawn to nostalgia, quality over quantity, and authenticity. Although I do many things (I’ve worked as a model, I’ve written and recorded music, I sing jazz, I sing opera), I approach it all the same way. If I’m singing Schubert, I’m inspired by the poetry and the musical setting of the text, and even though I’m using an operatic vocal technique, it’s the same approach when I perform any other style. Vocal technique is versatile, but the inspiration is always the same. I like to have a visual throughline with all my acts – so I try to keep the brand cohesive even if I do different collaborations or styles.

I’m looking forward to writing more soon, specifically at the piano. I’m currently studying jazz piano and will be working on an EP of more piano-centric, jazz-influenced music. I’m also developing a shoot around it…coming soon!

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Love this question! Most of my friends who visit LA want an overview of the nightlife, a trip to at least one beach city, and some taste of Hollywood history. I recommend staying a few nights in West Hollywood or Beverly Hills, as both areas are central. I live in West Hollywood, so I’m biased. I would say go to a hotel rooftop for a classic, glamorous LA experience with views. I love the rooftop at the Edition on Sunset. It has incredible views, and is great indoors or outdoors for a drink/bite. Other classic LA nightlife spots are Hotel Bel Air piano bar for jazz, Polo Lounge at the Beverly Hills Hotel, and Chateau Marmont. One must also stop by Rodeo Drive on a first trip to LA. Perhaps switch hotels mid-trip to a beach city for a taste of the beach. Malibu is great, but so are Santa Monica and Manhattan Beach. I always recommend The Getty Center to first-time visitors to LA, also. The garden tour is worth doing in addition to checking out the exhibits and views.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
My first and most crucial shout is to my parents, Joel & Susan. My parents nurtured my talents from a very young age, and without the years of piano lessons, ballet lessons, acting class, voice lessons, and competitions, I would never have been able to pursue a career in the arts! Now that I am a coach, I appreciate the parents I see doing the same for their kids. It makes a difference. My private voice teacher during my undergrad at Northwestern, Carmen Mehta, was also very influential. I also had the inspiring opportunity to work with Robert Altman, who gave me a chance casting me in a production and was very supportive of me and kept expanding my role and giving me some recognition.

Website: www.laurencartervocalcoaching.com, www.laurencarteronline.com

Instagram: www.instagram.com/laurenelizabethcarter

Image Credits
Mario Barberio (featured horizontal) Anna Fowler (last two headshots) Mario Barberio (shots in red lipstick) Darin Burch (b&w in corset)

Nominate Someone: ShoutoutLA is built on recommendations and shoutouts from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.