"…Debra provides clear and concise steps to
help artists cultivate the tools they will need to succeed in the business of
music."Leyden Rosa-Rovelo, Business Affairs,
Third Bear, Inc.
Debra
Russell of Artist’s EDGE combines her two passions-- the world of
entertainment and facilitating growth and change in people's lives. As a
certified business coach, workshop leader and keynote speaker, and a Master
Certified Practitioner of Ericksonian Hypnosis and NLP, Debra works with
creative individuals to help shape their success in their chosen field.Debra specializes in the performing and
visual arts working with artists, musicians and actors, and on the business and
production side with writers, directors, producers, engineers, venue operators
and executives.
In
2001, Debra trained with the Australian based Results Coaching Systems and
become a Certified Business Coach. She extended her training to also be
certified as a Lead Trainer and has trained over 40 coaches for RCS. This
positioned Debra to also become a motivational leader and presenter offering
innovative workshops and seminars at professional development conferences.
“Thank you so much for speaking and mentoring at
the 2005 TAXI Road Rally. The buzz on the street was that your workshop
was absolutely loaded with critical information for DIY Music Business Success.”Michael
Laskow, President, TAXI
In
addition to working one-to-one with her private clients, Debra, founded Artist's EDGE, and has produced over fifty
tele-conferences.These programs
train people from all different aspects of the Arts and Entertainment world to make
a prosperous living doing what they love on their terms.
As
a keynote speaker and seminar leader, Debra has developed several innovative
programs that have been presented at entertainment industry trade conferences
including the The Folk Alliance, the Folk Alliance's Booking Agent Training
School®, the TAXI Road Rally and Western Arts Alliance, San Francisco Women’s
Film Festival and San Francisco Film Society.These programs include:
Multiple Streams of
Art Income
Business Management
for the Creative Mind
Transform Your
Beliefs – The Key to Success
Time Management 101:
The Art of Juggling
"…Your presentation skills, knowledge and
professionalism were much appreciated, and contributed to the conference's
success."Steve Dulson, President, Far-West (Folk
Alliance Region – West)
Debra's
own creativity began in her teens when she began acting in high school and
later appeared in off-Broadway productions in NYC. It was during this time in
her career that she began producing and leading personal development programs
setting the stage for her eventual development of her company, Artist's EDGE. After earning her BFA in theater and
directing from Syracuse University, Debra moved to Los Angeles to work in the
production side of the film and television industry, commercials and music
videos. During her early days in Los Angeles, she had production experience
with Touchstone/Disney, and the Black/Marlins produced TV series introducing
Ellen DeGeneres. Debra also served as script supervisor for many projects,
including the Power Rangers TV series, a Clint Black music video, as well as
national commercials, industrials and independent films.
After
leaving LA in 1995, Debra once again returned to her work in personal
development and in 2003 began her work with Artist's EDGE, unifying these two
themes.
What
others are saying about Debra Russell:
"The
artistic path can get overwhelmingly complicated, and the issues we encounter
often feel unique and therefore isolating. …It was a liberating experience and
helped me gain the courage needed to make some important changes. I'd recommend
Debra to any artist trying to untangle the threads of their professional and
personal lives."
David Berkeley,
Singer-Songwriter
Debra's
high energy, motivational presentation style kept the participants of this
year's Folk Alliance Booking Agent Training School enthusiastically
involved throughout her Time Management 101 seminar.
Jeri Goldstein,
Coordinator and Developer of Folk Alliance's Booking Agent Training School
Author, How to
Be Your Own Booking Agent: The Musician's & Performing Artist's Guide to
Successful Touring
Working
with Debra has been more than important for my music -- it's been
essential.Having just completed
production of my first solo CD, "Lucky," I see now that our work
together is directly responsible for my having made a top-drawer recording that
matches the vision I'd been carrying around in my head for a year.The tools Debra gave me provoked me
into doing my absolute best work and surrounding myself with the players and
engineers who would do the same.Had I not been working with Debra, I'm quite certain I would have
settled for a good deal less -- from myself and others.Debra helps me "rise to the
occasion," and I believe in the value of this process completely.
Jean Synodinos, Singer-Songwriter
Debra
Russell applies principles of business and organizations to the lives and work
of artists, giving them new ways to deal with their lives and careers. Her
workshops provide valuable tools for both performers and presenters. Her
approach gives practical advice and motivation, rather than pop-psych
feel-good fluff. I think the most important thing I got from
“Business Management for the Creative Mind” is the idea that thinking of arts
in a businesslike way isn't "evil" or "unartistic".
Left brain vs. right brain thinking aren’t enemies, rather they can work
together. If you can accept input from both sides, you can be both artistic and
organized...and that’s a good thing!
Nick Smith,
Performing storyteller, Coordinator - Caltech Folk Music Society
Board member -
California Traditional Music Society, Board member - FARWest
I
would like to thank Debra Russell for being my coach.I set 3 very lofty goals and all of them were achieved to my
satisfaction.One of my biggest
struggles is with time management as a way of developing a balanced lifestyle
-- through Debra's guidance, recommended activities, and reading/resources I
have been able to develop a system that works for me rather than against
me.Additionally, I went from not
understanding how to start a business to creating a business plan and
identifying expert mentors to aid in my business designs.Without Debra, I would still be
floundering in my unemployed and undirected state rather than making progress
toward the goals that are based upon my values.
Roy Rasera, Owner
- Second Sunset, Photographer, Musician, Coach
