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22-year-old Cardel Hunte, a published author, singer, public figure, and youth development advocate, launched his business venture, ‘Hunte’s Vocal Arts Academy’ (HVAA).
He was born on the 30th of May 2000 at the West Demerara Regional Hospital to Maxwell and Shellon Hunte.
Cardel grew up in Pouderoyen on the West Bank of Demerara (WBD) with his parents and siblings.
He attended the Genesis Early Childhood Education Centre from Nursery, up to Grade Two then he transferred to Winfer Gardens Primary and after writing the National Grade Six Exam, he earned a spot at the West Demerara Secondary. Later he pursued CAPE at the Saint Stanislaus College. He was also involved in the 2016 Youth Ambassador Program. The program is a three-week exchange program hosted by the US State Department.
In 2019, Hunte wrote and published a book, titled ‘I Dare Me’ which seeks to dare and inspire the average person to live a life in a way that serves him/her with happiness, self-fulfilment, and the achievement of dreams, goals, and purposes.
His ‘I Dare Me’ Book is a motivational book that encourages readers to identify their God-given purpose and calling and applying them through the effective living and the achievement of goals and dreams. It is a compilation of guidelines for making this happen. It includes themes of spirituality, inspiration, transformation, perseverance and character.
The book targeted persons who may need motivation to get through each day, or persons who generally find it a bit difficult in making decisions.
He also launched The Vocal Identity Series (V.I.S), which offered training and development in singing, public speaking, rapping, vocal percussion, poetry, and spoken word and worship singing.
When asked why the name ‘Hunte’s Vocal Arts Academy’ he said,“I believe that the identity of anything is in its name and as such the identity I want people to think of when they hear H.V.A.A is a place of continuous development and learning, a hub for every aspect of the singing talent that can be improved and explored.”
He mentioned that the nature of his entrepreneurial journey of the academy allows him to manage his time effectively. He added, “When working with singers whether individually or in a group they want the best out of their training sessions so they would select times that fit perfectly within my schedule and that works wonderfully.”
Hunte saw the need for coaching in quite a few of the singers that he knew through his musical journey and with their many requests he believed it was something he could do because he has experience.
Further he stated, “I knew that if I had pursued this it would be a life-changing moment that would see the accomplishment of one of my long-term goals which is the establishment of a talent-development institution.”
“My formal vocal training sessions started as a simple additional activity I found myself doing on the weekends with a select group of singers. It involved me providing tips on their overall vocal production and singing technique as well as offering valued advice on how to develop and overcome those challenges,” added Cardel.
He then transformed that into the Hunte’s Vocal Arts Academy(H.V.A.A). When singers saw his social media posts and videos of those recorded sessions, they too wanted to join. After engaging various groups, he created key vocal development programs such as; Harmony singing, Choral arranging, Vocal performance, Choir leading and directing, etc. The responses he received were simply amazing as persons were interested in finding out more than just on the surface singing techniques, but deeper, even anatomical and philosophical linkages to the concept of singing.
“2022 was the year that the H.V.A.A actually took off as I had quite a lot more time not being engaged with studies or a full-time job. I saw myself travelling to different locations working with various church and secular groups, collaborating with other musical personalities and music schools. It really was a full-circle moment, where you see a dream being fulfilled way before you thought it would,” he noted.
Access to a permanent space for coaching, isone of Hunte’s biggest challenges. Since he began training, he has offered services online and in-person, with the most challenging of the two being ‘in-person’.
Hunte said, “I would usually meet my students at a location suitable to them as I don’t have the access to my own personal space but with that, comes the challenges of not being able to access all my much needed materials and musical instruments. However I do believe that it is through these challenges we find the greatest opportunities. I have been able to engage my students in their comfort zones, I have been able to step further out of my comfort zone. Imagine meeting a total stranger for the first time ever in the middle of their living room for a vocal training session. I truly am confident that my character has seen the addition of a few more outgoing traits that I am most grateful for.”
Since the commencement of this venture he has learned a lot as it relates to his own singing, and about singing and the human voice in general, for Hunte that’s one of his biggest accomplishments. In addition to seeing the real transformation in the singing of others through his coaching.
For a long period of time he believed that he had to read all the books and take all the courses related to singing to be able to help other singers, but later he realised that wasn’t at all true.
He mentioned, “As I reflect, I’ve always had a great ear for music and could listen to the voice beyond the melody in a song and point out some key characteristics a book may later explain or a course would teach. I believe my skill when it comes to analysing voices is innate as I found that, long before I even ventured into singing.”
When asked what advice he would give to future entrepreneurs, Hunte stressed, “The doubt in wondering if you’re good enough to do what you’re being called to is just another indicator of how great you are! Take that step and change lives today.”
When asked about his experience in the area, he further stated “From a tender age I was exposed to a lot of singing in all of the environments I was in really. At home, at school, and at church. So, the musical bone in me just grew, I guess. I always loved how singing was such a great activity that could evoke a string of emotions and an activity that required so much but seemed so effortless.”
With those experiences, he took the time to develop his singing through reading excessively and training his voice with the techniques and knowledge that came to me naturally and from what he learnt as well as from watching other singers.
He recalled the little tips and advice he received and later he took a step up and helped others.
After many years of consistently being involved in singing, musical presentations, choirs etc. He became versed in this area and many people came seeking advice, wanting to show him their vocal capabilities and as such many doors of opportunity opened for him.
Later, he was placed in the position of forming choirs, conducting vocal assessments and leading on many musical projects.
“I can recall being contracted by a local group to provide vocal training services for a few weeks. The amount of knowledge this group gained in such a short time and the results they showed at the end of the period was simply amazing. Each singer from the group showed tremendous growth and improvement,” he added, noting that’s a time he provided vocal training successfully.
When asked about what are some things that people should keep in mind when seeking your service, Cardel said, “I am often asked quite a lot if I work along with persons who can’t sing and it’s funnier every time. The reality is, we can all sing, the division is really in who can sing well versus who hasn’t learned to sing well as yet. I would encourage anyone who wants to become a better singer to go for it. When seeking my services whether in training, coaching, vocal assessments, vocal analysis or even group vocal arranging come with an open mind and believe that there are possibilities to achieve that sound that you want, however challenging it may seem. Secondly you can only gain as much as you put in, so practice is important to developing any skill and commitment is key in everything.”
In the future, he plans on training a few other young, amazing singers who he has worked with over the years to become vocal coaches. They will in turn work with him, allowing him to expand the academy and in turn help develop the talents of other singers. He would also need access to a permanent space for training and generally all other areas of the academy he hopes to include. So that means more programs, more students and a greater positive effect on art countrywide.
He can be contacted via Social Media: Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/huntesvocalacademy?mibextid=LQQJ4d)
Whatsapp (592) 626 4619.
