Alumni Update: Natasha Vinci-Onorato, Entertainment Business Management

Natasha Vinci-Onorato graduated from the one year Entertainment Business Management Program  in August of 2013. Natasha has always known she would pursue a career within the entertainment industry. As an artist and performer, she chose to study here at the Institute in order to give her the business background she would need to pursue her passion.

Natasha started Rolling Dice Management, an all-in-one artist development company, just over a year ago and is currently working closely with four upcoming artists. Rolling Dice Management focuses on everything from video shoots, music videos, EP releases and EP artwork with their own set of graphic designers and producers. She has been working closely with recording engineer Yuri Koller. Many of the opportunities and new artists Natasha has been working with are connected directly to various networking opportunities that became available to her, with both fellow classmates and instructors. Natasha keeps in constant contact with many of her instructors including Ron Rogers, Mark Watson and Jim Norris.

On top of her focus with Rolling Dice Management, Natasha participates in various festivals and shows throughout the Toronto area. Each year she assists at Canadian Music week and this year she will be stage managing the events and artist showcases at The Painted Lady in Toronto.

Since attending the Institute, Julie’s heart and passion has always lied in artist management and artist development.

She graduated from the Entertainment Business Management program in 2007 and since then, she has been on a steady path of success in developing her career. When the offer presented itself to join the Black Box family she was extremely excited about the opportunity to work with great Canadian artists and industry professionals alike.

Black Box Music is the amalgamation of the Black Box Recordings label and artist management initiatives. They offer a full-service approach in their work with a broad array of artists of varying genres and profiles.

The label, born in 2002 was started with the goal of giving up and coming Canadian artists an opportunity to take their careers to the next level. Now, nine years and over nineteen releases later, it is widely regarded as one of the strongest independent Canadian labels in the country.

“The pace of the industry is perhaps one of the most exciting things about a career in entertainment and working for a company like Black Box gives me the opportunity to tap into various areas of the industry as well as see so many aspects of an artists career.”

Hoffmann’s ambition has lead her to a position where she can do exactly what she loves doing every day.

“My days are always busy and can really range in terms of responsibilities. This past week I have been working on finalizing grants and paperwork, assisting with tour logistics and on-set for two separate video shoots.”

Before landing her dream job, Hoffmann gained significant marketing experience in the industry as our Promotions Director. Although Black Box is utilizing all of the regular streams to market records, they also adopted some new tactics to create a buzz and raise awareness. One project that Julie was particularly excited to work on is Crash Parallel’s new album Sunset in Reverse. Her experience and creativity allowed her to develop a very unique marketing tactic surrounding its release.

“We formed a partnership with a lifestyle company called Blo Blow Dry Bar. We provided them with download cards that are made of 100% biodegradable materials and contain seeds that will flower once planted. For the month of January every Blo client was provided with an exclusive acoustic EP download card of new Crash tunes, also gaining access to exclusive contests, giveaways and events- 100% environmentally friendly music!”

The Crash Parallel album hit stores on February 8th, 2011 and the band also kicked off a tour with rockers The Goo Goo Dolls which will commence on Feb 7, 2011 in Newfoundland.

For more information on Black Box artists visit: http://www.weareblackbox.com