Critically acclaimed, national recording artist Erin McDougald is a leading lady of Chicago's vocal jazz scene. A 2000 graduate of Columbia College Chicago, continuing her formative education, McDougald began honing her skills and performance strengths through the guidance of her mentors: the late William Russo (founder/ conductor of The Chicago Jazz Ensemble), vocalist Bobbi Wilsyn, and classical singer Carol Loverde and developed an astute business savvy through her studies of Entertainment law, marketing and career development courses.
Holding long term residencies in the country's top venues, including the legendary Pump Room, McDougald has headlined Chicago's most prestigious rooms, including the famed Jazz Showcase, Davenport's, Green Dolphin and others. McDougald has performed to sold out venues as far reaching as Paris, France and Cologne, Germany. With three albums released and globally distributed, she's been Internationally praised for her unique rhythmic and melodic treatment of the music she interprets, most often compared to the likes of jazz luminaries such as Anita O'Day, Carmen McRae and Ella Fitzgerald.
In a relatively short time, she has won the respectful nod of recognition from artists such as Bob Dylan, Keely Smith, Gene Lees, Buddy Bregman, John Webber, Freddy Cole, Oscar Peterson and friend-contemporary Peter Cincotti. Her appearances have been documented in a CBS documentary series (Route 66: People and Places Along the Mother Road); she's graced the covers of City Talk Magazine, Audition News and Dossier and been voted "Best Jazz Vocalist" by The Tribune's Metromix online-poll as well as Chicago Social's "Best Of" list three years in a row. Erin's 2003 album charted the National billboards and made numerous Top Ten Best Of lists on NPR stations. Jazz Improv raves "McDougald's voice is a rare instrument to be savored...worldly, superb, positively mercurial."
Erin's latest album, Meeting Place was co-produced by Grammy winner Stephen Short; the title track is her original composition, dedicated to her late grandfather. McDougald is currently undergoing plans to begin a tour. Erin has been commissioned for concert performances for corporations such as Chrysler, Disney, Glaxo Smith & Kline and Mercedes among others; in 2005, McDougald was named "An Influential Artist" by the Chinese Government in the China Jazz Project.
Erin enjoys the opportunity to help students find the core of their artistic strengths while guiding them in successful marketing strategies. She maintains an online portfolio at www.flappergirlsings.com.
Erin is generally available to meet students on Mondays, Tuesday and Wednesday between noon and 3pm.
All sessions are by appointment only. If you're interested to meet with an Industry Expert call 312.369.7280 for details.
Q: Whoa there. What are Industry Expert sessions again?
A: It's a service provided by the Portfolio Center that pairs students with working professionals in their field. An Industry Expert helps you understand what materials to put in a portfolio (and what to leave out), how to package and present your work, and how you'll know when it's ready for prime time.
