\We want to put the arts into the driving seat of civilization. Angel creators Marina Pearson and Arthur op den Brouw have a formula that will change the way we think about the arts. Chordian Angels are now looking for like-minded partners, associates and sponsors to bring this dream into reality. We plan to launch an internet based portal for mentoring and professional services which is dedicated to getting the music industry back on track.
The concept of putting artists in the driving seat is not new. Director Arthur op den Brouw points out that “Artists, poets and philosophers have been at the centre of changing attitudes and beliefs since the beginning of time.” It’s only in the past few hundred years that the rational left-brain world has dominated our thinking. With pretty bad results. For many of us, it feels like we are standing at the edge of a cliff. And as we look over, all we can think of is the fear of falling. And in this state of fear, all we can imagine is disaster. And yet, is that the only option? At Chordian Angels we think not! WE can also see opportunity. Opportunity to create and innovate. Opportunity to open our minds to new ways of being. Opportunity to examine ourselves closely and discover what we are really made of. So when asked what they would do at the edge of their greatest fear, Marina and Arthur immediately say “FLY, isn’t that the obvious thing! Learn how to fly!”
And Chordian Angels have a plan. They say, put artists in the driving seat. With a wry smile, Marina says: “you know what I think, the old order is no longer sustainable. You only need to look at the banking system as a clear example of this. Greed and selfishness has squeezed us all dry. The same can be said for the music industry. Musicians have experienced it in the same way. Short-term gains have looking after new talent. The only way out of this is to get this planet back on track is to start thinking on a whole new level. Not just differently, not by just aligning behind yet another already flawed belief system. No, we need to get outside the box, and take a wholly fresh look at ourselves And in this case empower and nurture the pulsating heart of the industry – the musicians and those nearest to them.
Then… and only then will we be able to make the sort of change that’s needed to fix things. Arthur agrees, and adds “Personally I feel that artists, and especially musicians have the key to this. They are the ones that speak to every part of our being. They tell the stories and create the legends that inspire people to act. I love the way music works in such a mysterious way. It cuts through all the crap, all the filters. It gets right through the core, our rock, our centre, our soul. Nothing else does it quite like music.” And it’s clear that music does sway huge influence on our world. It’s a powerful force of change, having greater influence over each generation than religion or family.
That’s all well and good but what are Chordian Angels planning on doing about this? And what’s their thinking? Their first response is to say: “When it comes to changing the world, it’s quite obvious when you think about it! Simply create a global network of the world’s best mentors and coaches and dedicate their best efforts to artists. Give artists access to leading mentoring and coaching methods. Give them the skills to unlease the full potential of their creative genius. You see, artists are natural explorers” Arthur says, “they will find this stuff easy. And as its been tried and tested in sport, medicine and business, we know this stuff works.
Artists are the innovators and communicators. The love to learn. They love to share. Give them the power of their own minds, and they’ll go out and they’ll do what they do best. They’ll think outside the box. They’ll see things from a totally different perspective. They’ll see through the filters that control our thinking and they’ll find answers to questions that we ask. But that’s only half the story. Artists innately need to share. Discovery is nothing without bringing back the prize to show and tell about. And so new ideas, new thinking, new insights will spawn further insight, further learning, further exploration and discovery.
So, who’s involved in Chordian Angels? Right now, it’s packed with a stack of goodwill and every ounce of energy Arthur and Marina can muster. “Right now we’re just telling everyone we meet about our idea” says Marina, “and word is getting around. Everyone I speak to, loves the concept. Managers, coaches, artists, musicians… see so much need for coaching and mentoring in the creative industry. A global network to serve this need is such an obvious thing. A place where coaches, mentors and professionals can meet, support and work alongside musicians is an awesome idea. And we’re going to make it happen. Already partnerships are forming. Alliances being made. Manifestos written. Our model will be to keep this simple and elegant. Nothing brutish or cumbersome. Yet equally this is no free ride. We expect people to work hard and play hard. We’re on a mission here, and so we’re going to be really pragmatic about this as well. Life is too short to get this wrong.
ABOUT CHORDIAN ANGELS
www.chordianangels.com
Established in October 2008, Chordian Angels is the world’s first global coaching service solely dedicated to the music industry. Their aim is to facilitate personal and commercial excellence to help musicians, managers and agents embrace their personal genius and unleash their innate creativity.
Chordian Angels plans to make its public launch in Spring 2009 with its debut event in London. Based on their story, and the responses they’ve received to date, we can expect this event to be featuring some incredible stories, experiences and insights!
ARTHUR OP DEN BROUW, Director. Arthur is an Australian/Dutch citizen and has lived in the UK since 1988. He’s co-owner director of Reading’s brand consultancy, Designation which he set up in 1997 with business partner Nigel Penn-Simkins. Arthur originally studied Fine Art and has exhibited internationally with innovative explorations of identity, photography and mixed media. Arthur is well versed in a wide range of coaching techniques, and speaks publicly on the subject of brand, identity and creative practice in the UK and abroad. Contact: 07776 230 950
MARINA PEARSON, Director. Marina is a Spanish/English citizen and has worked in the music industry for over 6 years, in New York, Madrid and now London. She holds a Master of Arts in Music Business from New York University and is realizing her marketing and PR role for the Putumayo World Music label. Marina’s own life journey has been one of many challenges – similar to those that musicians face and mixed blessings, which she now cherishes as it brought her into the coaching and self-development realm which is now totally passionate about. All her spare time is now invested in training, coaching, mentoring and learning!
