Sing and Share with Courage Scholarship Fund

About Us

Bailey Barnes Voice Studio works to empower aspiring professional singers with vocal coaching, music business education and performing opportunities so they can use their unique creativity to grow confidence, build wealth, and overcome societal inequities.

I have been a dedicated music educator and professional musician since 2010. I know first hand how difficult it can be for artists and parents to be able to make the investments in vocal training and music business education that are essential to a successful performing career. Over my decade long career I have helped dozens of singers and musicians gain the vocal skill, confidence and discipline required to make their singing dreams a reality. 

The Problem

"But, how are you going to make money?"

This is too often the response singers get when they tell their parents and loved ones that they want to make their living off music.

The fact that a singing career is not viewed as a viable, secure career option in our society is a huge problem.

This is known as the "starving artist" myth, and it leads to unsatisfied, unfulfilled artists who feel like they have to sacrifice their happiness in order to survive.

This attitude, when employed by an artist's loved ones, trusting mentors or friends, puts that artist at a disadvantage. Couple this with the undervaluing of the arts in our culture (you can get access to almost any music you want on Spotify for $10 a month, and artists make fractions of a penny per play, about $ .00437), it creates an environment where all professional singers and musicians are at a disadvantage.

Combine society's unsupportive attitudes and actions towards the arts with the systemic barriers that Black and Indigenous People of Color face in our culture and the obstacles to pursuing a music career can become insurmountable.

Many people in my community that are working to dedicate their lives to their singing career are struggling to find the funds they need to invest in their professional development by hiring voice teachers and music business mentors.

These people are aspiring professional singers and professional singers, as well as parents who have kids that are clearly destined for a career in the arts, but are struggling to pay the bills, let alone invest in their child's artistic future.

Too often, it is the aspiring singers with wealth and privilege who have access to opportunities to grow their career simply because they have the resources, not because they are more gifted or deserving.

How You Can Help

We are raising $5500 to give directly to aspiring professional singers who will benefit from my voice lesson and music business coaching programs. This money will make it possible for me to offer them a "pay what you can" model, which will eliminate the barrier of cost so they can get the support they need.

Scholarship funds will be prioritized for BIPOC students

This scholarship fund will help students in need, such as Shane who is a young artist supporting himself as he works towards his dreams of being a Broadway singer, actor and director.

And it will allow Charles to continue mastering his craft as a singer and voice teacher so he can leave restaurant work for good and support his family as a full time professional musician.

It will also help Malik Mays learn how to grow their presence in the Oakland music scene and beyond and learn how to use their voice healthfully and effectively in recording sessions.