Eric Vetro‘s house, situated in a pleasant neighborhood in the Valley, stands out remarkably with its sitcom-like appearance; upon entering, you might even anticipate bumping your head on a producer’s credit. The ground floor, however, is more like a Hollywood yearbook for the elite. A piano in the living room boasts hundreds of signatures, one from Timothée Chalamet reading “THANK YOU FOR YOUR PURE IMAGINATION!”. His office wall is adorned with over 70 selfies, featuring Vetro beaming alongside his famous students. The remaining walls showcase gold and platinum records, many containing personalized messages such as “PRESENTED TO ERIC VETRO IN RECOGNITION OF ACTUALLY TEACHING PALOMA FAITH HOW TO SING”. One reads, “LET’S FACE IT SHE WASN’T GOOD BEFORE. NOW SHE’S SOLD ABOUT 4 MILLION ALBUMS!”.
Eric Vetro’s house, located in a nice neighborhood in the Valley, has an unusual sitcom-style appearance; upon entering, one might expect to collide with a producer’s credit. The ground floor serves as an unofficial Hollywood yearbook for A-list celebrities. A piano in the living room bears hundreds of signatures, including one from Timothée Chalamet that says “THANK YOU FOR YOUR PURE IMAGINATION!”. The walls of his office are covered with more than 70 selfies featuring Vetro and his famous students grinning together. Additionally, three walls display gold and platinum records, many bearing personalized messages like “PRESENTED TO ERIC VETRO IN RECOGNITION OF ACTUALLY TEACHING PALOMA FAITH HOW TO SING”. One reads, “Given to Eric Vetro in recognition of actually teaching Paloma Faith how to sing. Let’s face it, she wasn’t good before, but now she’s sold about 4 million albums!
For many years, Vetro has served as a vocal coach for famous artists, making his residence on a tranquil street in Toluca Lake, Los Angeles, a popular destination for those aiming to carve out a career in the entertainment industry. The students value the seclusion: The property boasts a U-shaped driveway and a fence intended to shield from the intrusive paparazzi, although they occasionally manage to sneak through. (He admits they once captured him in a candid moment.)
Vetro’s main occupation involves working with a diverse range of singers, from Bette Midler to Omar Apollo, while his lesser-known role is teaching acting to actors. Notable students include Emma Stone and Renée Zellweger. He has also taught Austin Butler and Jacob Elordi the art of singing like Elvis and Jeremy Allen White to mimic Springsteen. With Sabrina Carpenter, whom he’s been coaching since she was a preteen, having earned multiple Grammy nominations, and five of his acting students vying for Oscar nods, it’s an exciting time to be a student of Vetro’s. He assisted Angelina Jolie in learning opera for a film, helped Timothée Chalamet transform into Bob Dylan, and taught Monica Barbaro to master Joan Baez’s vibrato. For the musical “Wicked,” he worked with Jonathan Bailey as well as his high-profile client, Ariana Grande, whom he has guided for over 15 years. Despite his contributions, Vetro is quick to point out that he never claims credit for their success and has also worked with many of their competitors.
Will Ferrell, who has collaborated with Eric on three films, praises him by saying, “Eric is like an established institution.” Barbaro adds that Eric doesn’t receive enough credit for the significant contributions he makes to musicians. He humorously suggests that if there was an award for vocal coaches, Eric would be comparable to Meryl Streep in terms of his talent and recognition.
Vetro attributes his constant presence to his strong emotional intelligence. “I have a knack for understanding the mood in a room,” he explains, swiftly determining whether students require compassion and empathy or firm guidance and motivation. Moreover, it’s worth noting the incredible efforts that Vetro puts into helping his clients. He often works with 8 to 9 individuals daily, some meeting face-to-face while others connect from various parts of the globe via FaceTime. As Camila Cabello notes, “We’ve done warm-ups in all sorts of places: baths, showers, even on the toilet.” “I’ve been the woman making unusual noises over the phone while strolling through the streets of Saint-Tropez,” she adds.
On weekends, I’m usually the one teaching, with a rare exception being my four-day sojourn at Deepak Chopra’s meditation retreat about a decade back. Since my 2008 African safari excursion with a student’s family (my friend, songwriter Diane Warren quips that it was as close to the bush as I would get), I’ve yet to embark on another vacation. Upstairs in my bedroom, I sleep in a hospital-style bed, equipped with a foldable back for those unexpected late-night vocal lessons. When such situations arise, I simply work from bed, my iPad and keyboard conveniently placed on a tray table. I take great pride in my ability to fall asleep with just a mantra: “Let’s relax, let’s sleep, and let our bodies heal from the day.
According to Vetro, what you think about before sleeping significantly impacts your physical health. He shares that all of his dogs lived long lives and he would always tell them they were good just before bedtime. This practice, he believes, positively influences the immune system by planting positive thoughts in their minds.
More and more, today’s musicians are finding fame without mastering live vocal performances, according to John Legend. He explains, “Many artists have gained popularity through platforms like YouTube or TikTok, but they eventually need to learn how to perform live as the demand increases.” Legend emphasizes that this is a pressing matter, stating, “The time is running out for them to develop their live vocal skills.
Moreover, the nature of music has evolved as well. Though autobiographical songs have always existed, modern pop music in the 21st century seems more introspective and personal. As Vetro explains, “Artists like Bette Midler or Barbra Streisand might have sung a sad song that wasn’t necessarily reflective of their own lives. But nowadays, the younger generation views songs as a reflection of their specific moments. If they write about a breakup, they may feel differently months later and choose not to perform that song anymore because it no longer resonates with them. It’s barely been a year since it was written.
Initially, when Vetro began his teaching career, he placed great emphasis on technical aspects, guiding students on rules and practice methods. However, as time passed, he came to understand that there’s more to the art of teaching than just technique. He acknowledges that a singer’s emotional state, mindset, and their surroundings significantly influence their sound. For instance, Vetro suggests singers discuss any important matters with their family members before performances, suggesting they wait until the next day to minimize any potential distractions.
He also emphasizes the importance of constructive feedback, cautioning against accusatory questions like “Are you smoking cigarettes?” Instead, he prefers encouraging statements such as, “I think that could even be better. What have you been doing lately?” This approach encourages students to share their recent activities, and Vetro then suggests they avoid those activities to observe if it positively impacts their performance. He chuckles, expressing confidence in the effectiveness of his method.
Based on conversations with several of his students, it appears Vetro functions not only as a vocal coach but also as a therapist for many, given comments like “He’s like my therapist” and “Eric has guided me through some of the toughest times in my life.” Shawn Mendes notes, “Eric is always there to calm my nerves and anxiety,” while Lea Michele emails, “I can rely on Eric to talk me out of moments of unmotivation or insecurity.” This seems more prevalent among the younger artists. John Legend, however, expresses a different perspective: “I don’t need that as much,” he says, “I am generally in control of those feelings myself.
As a movie buff, I’d say: “I’m like a limp doll, knees slightly bent, leaning forward. My head and arms float freely. I inhale deeply and silently, then exhale, following it up with another deep, silent breath. And now, as I slowly unwind into an upright position, releasing all tension from my body, I’m ready to join Eric Vetro in his song.
To test Vetro’s approach towards casting an unskilled actor for a music biopic, I arranged for him to work with someone as tone-deaf as myself. When I confided in him that my singing was often described as excruciating to hear, he recounted an anecdote about Stephanie Beatriz. Apparently, she had been told she couldn’t sing well when she was younger, but look at her now, starring in In the Heights. Vetro isn’t one of those free-spirits who think anyone can sing. However, he encouraged me to discard any limiting beliefs from my past, particularly those instilled during childhood.
Over Zoom, Vetro initially guided me through a set of fundamental vocal warm-ups, which made me sound like a mournful donkey. He reassured me that with practice, they would become more fluid. Initially, I had only intended to attend one lesson. However, at the end of our session, he couldn’t resist assigning some homework, so we scheduled another meeting. Over time, additional assignments followed, and over the course of about a year and a half, Vetro ended up providing me with around a dozen vocal lessons. Despite my knowledge that these lessons were essential for him financially, I made several attempts to free him from his commitment. Each time, he declined my offer.
In the beginning, I found it quite enjoyable, I admitted. The environment at work can be quite intense; everyone needs to deliver their best, whether we’re on tour or preparing for an awards ceremony. I often hear artists longing for the carefree days of their youth when they were simply enjoying music without the pressure.
Later on, I echoed those sentiments: Regardless of one’s career stage, every aspect matters. There’s never a moment to rest and think, “We can take it easy.” That’s what makes collaborating with you so gratifying. Your life isn’t riding on this.
Mendes portrays Vetro as resilient: “He remains unaffected by any situation.” Yet, beneath his consistently upbeat persona, there are several triggers that can cause him anxiety. My first encounter with Vetro’s residence occurred the day following the 2024 Oscars, where his student Becky G had performed Warren’s song from the film Flamin’ Hot. “There are certain aspects beyond my grasp,” he admits, “but they still irritate me.” (He clarified this was a hypothetical scenario.) He has witnessed a stylist accidentally applying hairspray onto a singer’s lavalier mic, thereby muffling their voice. Even more distressing for him is the thought of spraying it into the singer’s mouth, causing them to choke. This, Vetro reveals, is his biggest fear: that the audience won’t be able to appreciate all the effort a student has put into honing their voice as effectively as possible.
2016 still stands out as one of the most memorable nights for me. That’s when Ariana Grande graced the stage as both host and musical guest on Saturday Night Live. It was an evening filled with challenging circumstances, late hours, and unpredictable conditions. Yet, she stepped up to the plate, began to sing, and I could see a serene expression on her face, a hint of joy in her swaying body. She seemed completely at ease, lost in the moment, and everything was going flawlessly. The feeling I had that night is hard to put into words. It was as if she had found her heaven right there on that stage. I couldn’t sleep that night because I was still buzzing from the excitement. Being a part of something like that is simply electrifying.
Ever since Vetro can recall, he’s been captivated by the sound of people singing. With the exception of his brief PR internship in 1988, his work life has primarily revolved around vocalists. “My mind naturally focuses on the voice,” he admits. “Whether it’s a top-notch pianist, guitarist, or any other instrument, I don’t hear them; I only hear the voice. It’s an unusual trait, but that’s always been the case.” As a kid, he would amuse himself by mentally providing voice coaching sessions. His first actual lesson was in fifth grade. “The coolest kid in our class wanted to try out for a musical skit,” Vetro recalls. “I taught him a song he could perform. We didn’t become friends or stay close, as he was into sports and I was clearly music-oriented. But from that moment on, there was an unusual connection between us.” This experience opened his eyes: “I realized I had a talent to share with someone, and it would create a bond between us.
Raised in upstate New York, Vetro was the son of a lawyer who found little joy in his profession. In his home, there were landscapes painted by his father, one of the few instances he seemed content. After attending NYU for college, Vetro started helping his classmates with their studies informally. He didn’t receive any payment until a girl’s grandmother started preparing meals for him. “Then someone told me, ‘I can’t provide you with food, but I’ll compensate you.”’ Unaware that he was being paid in meals, Vetro continued his tutoring out of enjoyment. However, this simple gesture sparked a chain reaction, leading many others to seek his tutoring services.
Apart from accompanying piano lessons, he also participated in numerous singing classes. By the age of 25, he estimates that he had observed over twenty distinct vocal coaches. This led to him performing alongside cabaret singers. His journey as a vocal coach was so gradual that he struggles to recall when he felt like he’d truly arrived. “Being part of a Broadway chorus was a significant milestone,” Vetro recalls. “Then it was the understudy, then the lead. Suddenly, I was working every day.” However, this progression was slow. If it had happened all at once, he admits he might not have been able to handle it as well.
Upon graduation, I dared to embark on a journey to Los Angeles, a move my parents found utterly preposterous. “What makes you think anyone will even consider working with you?” my father would often question, his skepticism palpable. Yet, within me blossomed an unshakable conviction that success was imminent. My life’s ambition had always been, “If I create a remarkable product, they’ll be eager to purchase it.
Vetro isn’t the kind of teacher who strictly adheres to a particular teaching philosophy or method. Instead, he raises an eyebrow when someone claims to teach a specific technique. He prefers a more comprehensive approach, adjusting his lessons according to each student’s unique needs. Currently, with Cabello, they are concentrating on enhancing her high-register vocals by experimenting with songs from artists like Beyoncé, Whitney Houston, and Céline Dion. As for himself, he admits that his music style isn’t overly “belt-y”. Instead, it leans more towards the melodious tunes of Swedish pop. Therefore, stretching his voice to power ballads is beneficial.
As a movie reviewer, I found Vetro’s teaching method to be heavily rooted in the power of visualization. He encourages his students to envision themselves confidently stepping onto stage, dressed in their desired attire and performing their favorite songs. This visualization extends beyond individual songs, encompassing entire performances or shows. In his words, “I have students remark, ‘I became my own director – I realized I needed to be a little more still.'”
Vetro firmly believes that this mental rehearsal can significantly improve a student’s singing ability. He explains, “When individuals are able to free themselves and imagine themselves sounding fantastic, they begin to hear it in their voice when they start singing.” In essence, Vetro’s approach is all about the mind controlling matter, or as he puts it, “It’s a mind-over-matter thing.
As a film enthusiast, I once conversed with an actress who was in such distress over performing live at a charity event that she developed a psychosomatic fever. “She felt like she was on fire,” I recalled saying to her, “Don’t the positive aspects lie in the fact that you can eliminate this fever yourself?”
Fast forward to 2022, and I found myself in a similar predicament as Vetro. Overwhelmed by work, I suddenly developed a debilitating back issue. “After enduring it for two months,” I admitted, “I finally understood the cause: my excessive workload had pushed me to the brink, and my body was signaling that I needed to rest.
In our conversation regarding Warren’s friendship with Vetro, Warren mentioned they shared a significant trait: “We’re both work enthusiasts.” However, Vetro isn’t fond of that term. “Being a work enthusiast means being overly devoted to working tirelessly,” he clarifies. “I’m not. I’m addicted to interacting with people and assisting them in growth.” He makes an effort not to judge others for their work hours, except for one circumstance. “When it comes to my students, particularly those who are young and on the brink of success,” he notes, “I become a bit apprehensive when they request extended breaks.” He explains, “In this field, there’s always someone waiting to take your place. A six-month break can have a significant impact.
During the 2023 holiday season, which I spent with my in-laws, I continued taking tennis lessons from Vetro. On Christmas morning, one of the extended family members opted out of the celebration to deliver a tennis lesson instead. They mentioned they might hire someone else if they didn’t teach the lesson themselves. This made me recall Vetro, and a week later, I shared my thoughts with him. “That kid is really smart,” Vetro responded. He was reminded of an old barber who used to cut his hair: “I asked if I could come at 9:30,” he said, “and he replied, ‘I’m sorry, I don’t start before ten.’ Not only did he lose me as a customer, but he lost anyone else I would have recommended him to. If he had simply said, ‘I can’t because it disrupts my routine,’ it would have been understandable. But his dismissive attitude was too diva-like. If someone requests a lesson at 6 a.m., I accommodate them.
Previously, Vetro hosted grand Christmas parties in his backyard, complete with a large tent and a piano. His cousin and her family would arrive early to help with preparations, while another friend adorned the space with red roses. To keep the flowers fresh, Vetro would temporarily turn off the heat for two days, making it chilly inside the house. In the past, Grande’s mother, Joan, assisted as a co-host, and Grande herself gave performances. However, these parties grew too large. Through his job, Vetro became acquainted not only with his students but also their entire network of friends, family, managers, and agents. Inviting one singer often meant accommodating up to 20 guests. At his last party, over 400 people attended. “It was tiring,” Vetro admits. “One agent called me and said, ‘I’m sorry I couldn’t attend your Christmas party.’ I replied, ‘You were at my Christmas party.’ That’s when I realized, This is becoming absurd.
Each holiday season, I find myself celebrating Thanksgiving and Christmas with an extraordinary circle of friends. Among them, there’s an actress, a singer, a former Navy SEAL who now deals in real estate, and the legendary Diane Warren – someone I’ve admired since the ’80s. Incredibly, we managed to forge a deep friendship during the Aughts, particularly around our collaboration on Meat Loaf’s album “Bat Out of Hell III.” To this day, we claim that we’ve never had a significant disagreement. Just recently, I had the pleasure of meeting Diane in her studio alongside another friend, where Vetro mentioned, “Our friends here are all high achievers; no one ever talks about wanting to quit or retire.
“That’d be like retiring from breathing,” Warren said.
What slightly unsettles me,” Vetro confided, “is that I feel a pang of sympathy for whomever…”, and he enacted playing the keyboard before slumping dramatically. “That’s when I will cease. And it’s unfortunate for the final student, who must now learn from a deceased teacher.
Vetro and Warren both work as service providers for artists, but their professional relationships differ. “Do you think everyone values what you do?” Warren inquired. “Some individuals do, while others don’t,” he replied. She didn’t want to come off as resentful, stressing that she never took collaborations lightly. After all, she had composed songs that launched singers’ careers. “Most people are thankful. Some, though, tend to forget.
Previously, I inquired of Vetro something akin: Is gratitude verbally expressed by people? “Everything I adorn is an embodiment of thanks,” he replied. He gestured towards his Rolex watch, Gucci bracelet, Prada shoes. “People express their gratitude to me constantly. Even when they don’t vocalize it, I can sense it in their aura.
Later on, Vetro clarified that Diane appears to be misunderstanding something. He explained that he forms deep, enduring connections with these individuals. “They treat her more like a consumer buying a product,” he said. “For example, if you purchase a painting from an artist, you might not want to socialize with them personally, right? She often argues, ‘They’re not your friends.’ But I reply, they truly are.
Over the course of our mutual time, I came to grasp his intentions. Just like Shawn Mendes, Vetro guided me during challenging periods in my life. (Our sessions coincided with the run-up to my wedding, resulting in at least one emotional breakdown worthy of a famous pop star.) He was dedicated to helping me become a more skilled vocalist. He had me practice blowing bubbles through a straw for breath control and sing while shaking my fists to stay limber. I would raise my hands high and let them drop on the high note, mimicking Lydia Tár. Though my physical form was improving, I wasn’t yet hitting the notes in tune. I enjoyed leaping forward to attack the notes, demonstrating that I wasn’t afraid. Vetro’s solution, it turned out, was beautifully straightforward. “I want you to do something different this time,” he advised during our eighth session, “Take a moment. In your mind, listen to how you want it to sound. Then sing.
Reflecting on the outcome, I must admit, it was swift and profound. Vetro’s eyes sparkled as he recognized that I had experienced visualization in action for the first time. He subtly hinted at other aspects of my life where this technique could be beneficial, “You’ll discover this is a tool you can apply in various scenarios.” Encouragement was his key message – to persist in honing this skill. He often shared anecdotes about how people could transform their day just by vocalizing their feelings positively, even on the gloomiest of days. “Every day presents challenges,” he would say, “but it’s our response that makes the difference, our ability to shine as guiding lights for others. Isn’t it exhilarating when we unlock that secret?
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2025-01-16 16:02