Photo by Michael David Hansen
Photo by Michael David Hansen
C
armen Corcoz is a vocal artist with a big heart that delivers a zest for life through song. At the age of five, Carmen won a popular talent contest in the small town of her birth, Sibiu, Romania. That was a magical moment and the start of a love affair with singing and acting. Though she now considers herself Canadian, Carmen states, “I will never forget my roots and where I came from.” The Corcoz family moved to Toronto, Canada in the early 1990s, allowing Carmen to pursue a music and acting career. People often said she had a great voice and so her family encouraged her to sing in vocal competitions and to continue to perform on stage in one way or another. Even after being crowned Miss Diaspora Canada of 2005, there was uncertainty of whether or not being a performer was the right path. Last year, the doubts were overcome as she decided to jump full force into singing, songwriting, and acting full time. For the singer, songwriter, and actress, what used to be a hobby has blossomed into a place where her true life’s passion resides. Carmen writes all of her songs and says the ability to inspire people with her music is what she likes most about being a vocal artist. In her new album Inspired, she states, “ I hope my music helps people follow their dreams and discover who they are within their own talents.” In fact, music resurrected Carmen from what she describes as a very dark place in her life - when she struggled with finding herself. Due to an experience she had as a young girl, Carmen made a decision to have her music make a huge charitable impact as well. Her charity of choice is SickKids Foundation, a Canadian-
based organization whose major function is helping children with serious illnesses get the medical treatment that their families can’t afford. As a child, a car accident placed Carmen in need of help from SickKids Foundation. She gives back by promoting the foundation, as well as donating proceeds from her album to the organization. “Knowing that I’m doing something with my talent inspires and fuels my desire to perform”, states Carmen. Carmen has an energetic, bubbly personality with a humble and generous spirit and is often compared to the lain beauty, Shakira. In addition to being an ambassador for kids in need, she offers the following advice to aspiring vocal artists: “Showing sincere appreciation to fans is essential. Fans are an important factor in the music industry, so the ones who come and support you even at the smallest shows are there because they believe in your music and you as an artist. If you’re surrounded by people who believe in you, embrace them and be very thankful.” She also believes that perseverance is the key in a global environment and is one of the biggest challenges for artists. Carmen says, “I’ve realized that the music industry is a very tough business. I’ve overcome the big obstacle of not being afraid of going for what I want and pursuing it with my everything.” Carmen has plans for a US tour in the spring, in which the first stop will be Miami, Florida. To hear Carmen’s melodious, soulful, and introspective songs, check her out on iTunes, Amazon, Napster, Shazam, or request her on your favorite station. Carmen’s newest album is sure to give everything she hopes for and more.
Raine Magazine - Volume 10
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