With The Growing Number of Singing Competitions, PCG Online Has Developed Courses To Help Contestants Learn The Ropes. PCG Nashville CEO BERNARD PORTER Breaks It All Down For Us!

This year, with the recent launch of PCG Online (www.pcg24-7.com), those trying out for shows like American Idol, The Voice and America’s Got Talent have a powerful support system to help ensure that they are prepared for everything on the big day! One of the multi-faceted artist development platform’s most popular (and highly affordable!) courses is Essentials of TV Talent Show Auditions. The curriculum offers an insider’s view on how to maximize one’s chances for success. The course teaches how to prepare for an audition, what to do once an audition is secured and how to use these shows as a platform to accelerate a career in the music industry.

Though the course title includes the term “TV Talent Show,” the concepts taught in this program apply to ANY audition or talent contest, not just tryouts for big TV shows. The course consists of three modules, includes over one hour of video instruction and offers insights, tips and tricks designed to put artists ahead of the pack.

Vocalists from PCG Programs and Workshops that have appeared on “The Voice” include Ameera Delandro, Kelsie May, Jordy Searcy, Madi Davis and Mitch Clark. Summer Collins appeared on the 2014 show “Rising Star.”

“What we have done with PCG Online is created a bold training and development curriculum boiled down to the nuts and bolts that every artist needs to know,” says Bernard Porter, Founder and CEO of PCG Nashville, one of America’s leading career/artist development organizations. “Artists around the world are now able to learn the same concepts that my instructors and I teach in Nashville. We’re giving them foundational instruction in many different categories to better understand how to posture and develop themselves to meet the standards of today’s music scene. University classes tend to be scholastic, but we are more ‘real world.’ In every aspect of each course, they will learn from a veteran industry expert who has been there and done that many times.”

Speaking specifically about Essentials of TV Talent Show Auditions, Porter adds, “When you enter any playing field, you need to know every aspect of the environment so you’re ready for all kinds of scenarios. Remember, knowledge is power. Going into an audition, you’re bound to be anxious, but if you can make yourself more comfortable and less intimidated by understanding what to expect from this world you are entering, you’ll going to be able to portray a ‘you’ that is at 100 percent. You won’t be affected by those intimidating factors because you’ll know how to deal with them in advance.”

Module I introduces PCG Online’s executive Molly Porter. Having spent years as a talent judge, she effectively covers the entire range of what an auditioner needs to do to prepare for a successful audition or contest. The wide range of topics she addresses includes developing confidence not only in your vocal abilities, but also in expressing your unique personality and connecting with your personal story. This is a key point because shows often choose contestants with emotional stories that will move viewers.

Molly also teaches tips for preparing your voice, and the “do’s” and “don’ts of song selection. She says to choose a song you love and know by heart and is authentic to you, not just a current hit. She also discusses how to choose which sections of the song to emphasize and which to edit out to best showcase those vocals during a shorter audition. Other topics include assembling the proper wardrobe (cool and casual work best); finding the right balance of hair and makeup; and gathering essential “survival” and nutritional items to put in your backpack so, if you’re doing a “cattle call” audition, you have the strength and gear to get through the day and deliver your best performance.

Module II introduces Rick Barker, Taylor Swift’s former manager and American Idol’s social media mentor. Rick’s video builds on Molly’s insights and dives deeper into how to use your audition and the shows themselves to maximize your exposure and increase your chances of being successful as an artist. He will share the lessons he’s learned managing aspiring artists, including specifics that TV talent show producers are looking for (it’s not everything you think) and what you can expect so you won’t be surprised. Lastly, Rick shares powerful social media tips he encourages students to put into action before their audition.

In Module III of the auditions course, Judy Rodman, PCG’s vocal coach, offers her sure-fire warm-up exercises to make sure you give your utmost performance at the audition. Her exercises are designed for vocalists to do over and over, even when they’re not preparing for an audition. To learn more about proper vocal training, check out PCG Online’s Essentials of Vocal Performance.

“The type of mentoring we offer at PCG Online is priceless,” says Bernard Porter. “It’s one of the most important elements of ‘real world’ learning. Having great mentors in your life can help you excel in every aspect of your life. What we have done is identify one of the best teams you could ever have to direct and help grow your career.”

Launched in November 2015, PCG Online – a collaboration between leading artist development company PCG Nashville and online education company Classroom24-7 (www.classroom24-7.com) – allows millions of artists around the world to train at their own pace with many of the industry’s most accomplished instructors and coaches.

Aspiring artists will be able to learn from instructors who PCG Nashville Founder and CEO Bernard Porter says have guided “some of the biggest stars on the planet.” Through PCG Online’s curriculum, artists will gain insider secrets from successful music professionals, strengthen the skills needed to succeed in talent competitions, and gain the edge needed to promote themselves as artists and thrive in today’s increasingly competitive industry. Specializing in delivering world-class online education services and technologies, Classroom24-7 works with top universities, hospitals, associations and corporations.

Learn more in the following All Access interview with Bernard Porter:

Thanks for your time today! So, what’s a typical day look like for you lately?

If I’m not traveling to Los Angeles, New York or other destinations for clients, I’m talking with our esteemed coaches, as well as checking development issues of many clients. I’m talking with producers, industry execs regarding potential opportunities. I’m overseeing my team of experts in marketing, social media and counseling artists in person, prescribing development and training aspects of our program and video taping content for our online platform PCG Online www.pcg24-7.com

Can you talk about your involvement with PCG Online? How did you come up with the idea for this company?

PCG is an involvement from our core company Premier Career Guidance PCG (We Grow Artists). We receive so many calls from artists worldwide and or artists that maybe are not ready for PCG. The PCG Online platform gives us the ability to give our real world artist development content on demand to the world.

Have you always wanted to work in this field and with musicians?

Over my career, I have always given back and valued helping everyone that I can. I am who I am due to tremendous mentors in my life.

How long has PCG Online been in existence?

We launched this platform in November of 2015. PCG (Premiere Career Guidance) has been in existence for 7 1/2 years.

Who have been some artists that have used this education platform to further their careers?

PCG Online is a new e-learning platform that gives you the essentials of what you need to know and learn as an artist. I’ve hand selected these coaches and content to best maximize your chances of success through development. The PCG team are the leading coaches in the music industry and have worked with Beyoncé, Taylor Swift, Carrie Underwood, Newsboys and many of the biggest stars.

Before starting this platform, what were you doing? How do you think your past professional experience has helped you with the development of PCG? 

Over 30 years, I’ve worked as an agent, manager, publisher, musician, consultant, label executive and much more. The most important factor that has elevated my career is simply building a strong foundation with everyone I work with. I take pride in every single student at PCG and it all starts with building a strong foundation.