Aspiring Female Singer/Songwriters (NAPSA)—Think you have whatit takes to make a splash on the music scene? Now’s your chance to proveit! Pantene, the world’s leading hair care brand, has announced the second annual Pantene Pro- Voice music competition, a national contest designed to recognize young women ages 14 to 24 who choose to use their voice as a tool for positive self-expression. The Pantene Pro-Voice music competition provides an opportu- nity for unsigned female solo artists and female-fronted bands to showcasetheir talent as singer/songwriters. Applicants enter for a chance to win a once-in-alifetime grand prize: a coveted “demo” recording contract with Atlantic Records, multiple performances as the opening act of an established artist’s concert tour, distribution of her winning song via the Pantene Pro-Voice CD, a $25,000 music equipment package and a $10,000 endowment to the high school music department of her choice! The grand prize winnerwill be chosen by a panel of celebrity talent (including Lisa Ling, Willa Ford, Jamie-Lynn Sigler, Aisha Tyler, Vitamin C and Kim Gordon) and music industry professionals. This year’s competition will be hosted by Atlantic recording artists M2M, the Norwegian teen duo of Marit Larsen, 18, and Marion Raven, 17. The Big Room, M2M’s sophomore CD, will be released on March 5. More than 1,200 female singer/ songwriters entered the first-ever Pantene Pro-Voice music competition and in July 2001, at a starstudded showcase event in New York City, Libbie Schrader, originally from Portland, Oregon, was named the Pantene Pro-Voice “New Voice of 2001.” “Pantene Pro-Voice is an important step in breaking into the music industry because it focuses on artists’ talent and originality, while giving women a chance to get their individual voices heard. As the winner of the Pantene Pro-Voice music Female singer-songwriters now have an opportunity to havetheir unique voices heard. competition, I have been given many opportunities: getting my music heard by thousandsof people, opening a national tour for one of my favorite artists and getting the attention of record industry professionals,” said Schrader. The following outlines some tips for young women trying to break into the music industry: Find your own voice. Whetherit be through the uniqueness of your singing voice, the strength of your lyrics or the distinctive style of your songwriting, develop your individualtalent and express something that nobody but you hasto offer. Follow your dreams. You know your strengths and weaknesses. Don’t let negative comments get you down anddeter you from pursuing your passion. Surround yourself with people you respect. Work with musicians you can learn from. A bandfull of strong musicians who communicate openly can be your most valuable asset. Beginning February 1, 2002, applications for the competition with detailed rules-of-entry will be available online at www.provoice.com and in-store at participating retail locations including FYE music stores and Delia’s. The deadline for applications is April 30, 2002. For more information on the program log on to www.provoice.com orcall 1-866-PROVOICE.
