I Spent $60,000 on an “Artist Development Program”— and Was Left With Nothing

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Style Pass

2025-01-23 00:00:13

Have you ever dreamed of turning your artistic aspirations into a career? I did. And like many hopefuls, I believed the key to success lay in finding the right mentor—someone who could guide me through the competitive world of music. That’s how I ended up spending $60,000 on Valerie Fahren’s so-called “artist development program.” What I received instead was broken promises, financial ruin, and a hard lesson about trust.

In the vibrant and competitive music scene of Los Angeles, vocal coaches with celebrity credentials are not hard to find. I had previously worked with respected names like Lis Lewis, Micah Plissner, and Jane Chen, each of whom brought something valuable to the table. But Valerie’s program promised more than vocal coaching: it offered artist development.

She positioned herself as someone who could deliver everything an aspiring artist needs to break into the industry—vocal training, management, industry showcases, audition preparation, songwriting guidance, and even introductions to major record labels. It sounded like the comprehensive package I needed.