Today we’d like to introduce you to Carissa Fagan
Hi Carissa, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
Hey there, I’m Carissa Fagan! I’m a 24-year-old California girl through and through, and if there’s one thing that’s been constant in my life, it’s music. I’ve been singing for as long as I can remember. My earliest memories are of me putting on little shows for my family, belting out songs whenever the mood struck. My mom loves to tell this story about how, whenever we passed the tiny stage at our local mall, I’d jump right on and start singing my heart out. People would actually stop to listen—some even pulled out their lighters! That’s when I realized how powerful music is. It connects us all, making us feel a little less alone, no matter what we’re going through. It’s the universal language, and I knew from a young age that I wanted to be part of that.
My singing journey officially kicked off when I was a teenager. I dove into musical theater in high school, and man, did I fall in love with it. I went on to perform in numerous musicals after graduating, and even had the honor of being nominated for three International Theater League awards, winning one for my role as Miss Sandra in *All Shook Up*. But then 2020 came along, and just as I was gearing up for more auditions, COVID-19 hit. The world shut down, but my passion for singing didn’t.
I knew I needed to sing, no matter what. So, I decided to reinvent my voice and explore what it meant to sing as *me*—not as a character on stage, but as a musician. I set up a little studio in my third car garage and got to work. I’d spend hours in there, honing my craft, figuring out who I was as an artist.
As the world started to reopen, I was lucky enough to cross paths with Robert Rankin Walker. He’s been an incredible friend and mentor, opening up the world of full-time music and gigs to me. I started performing with him at small restaurants and bars, learning the ropes and expanding my repertoire. Soon after, I began posting videos of myself singing online, and to my surprise, local bands started reaching out to me. Two years later, I’m fully immersed in the gig world, and I wouldn’t trade it for anything. My purpose in life is to sing, to help people—whether it’s helping them cope with life’s struggles or giving them a moment of joy and an excuse to dance.
I’ve had the privilege of performing at some incredible venues and events, from the iconic Belly Up Tavern in Solana Beach to Fiesta Del Sol, the Carlsbad Music Festival, Oktoberfest, and even Catalina Island. You can find me singing with The Platinum Vibe Band, where we cover everything from R&B to jazz to modern pop to Motown. I also perform as Frida with the Xceptional Tribute to ABBA, and we’ve got a big show on Catalina Island on September 14th! My boyfriend and I have our own acoustic duo, Honey Bean, and we play all over the Temecula Wine Country and beyond. And last but certainly not least, I sing with The Don L Big Band, where I get to indulge my love for Big Band Jazz—my absolute favorite genre to perform.
When I’m not singing, I’m teaching vocal lessons from my home studio, making memories with my family, friends, and boyfriend, or exploring nature. I’m a huge animal lover, and my favorite part of the day is coming home to my pets, especially my dog Scooby. He’s got his own little role in my vocal warm-ups, always adding his unique harmonies to the mix.
On top of all that, I’m diving into a new chapter—writing my own music. It’s an exciting journey, and I can’t wait to share what I’ve been working on. Keep an eye out for updates!
Thank you so much to SDVoyager for this opportunity, and thank you for taking the time to listen to my story. I hope it inspires you to chase after whatever it is that makes your heart sing!
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
As a full-time singer and performer, staying healthy is crucial to ensure I can keep giving my best on stage. That means eating nutritious meals, staying hydrated, and keeping up with my vitamins to maintain a strong immune system—especially with the travel and late nights that come with this career. Songwriting, on the other hand, can be a real challenge. It’s not easy to be completely vulnerable when putting pen to paper. But I’ve found that the key to overcoming that hurdle is to start by writing down my exact thoughts and feelings, without worrying if it sounds like a song just yet. Letting the raw emotions flow first allows the music to naturally take shape later.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
As a full-time singer and performer, I’m passionate about exploring a variety of musical styles, and I believe that’s what makes me unique! I’ve been fortunate to train in so many different genres—whether it’s the timeless charm of Big Band Jazz, the drama of musical theater, the energy of pop and rock, or even bringing Disney characters to life. This training allows me to adapt my voice to fit whatever a performance or project needs. I love being able to switch between styles, whether it’s delivering a soulful jazz standard or a classic rock ballad, which keeps things exciting and helps me connect with different audiences.
What was your favorite childhood memory?
Some of my favorite childhood memories revolve around the simple joys of spending time with my mother. We have always been very close, and some of our best moments were in the car laughing together on the way home from school or in the kitchen, baking cookies together. The warmth of the oven and the sweet smell of cookies filling the house along with our laughter made those times really special.
I also loved having those classic late-night sleepovers with my close friends, where we’d stay up laughing, telling stories, just being young girls and talking about boys, life, and the future.
Lastly, I was always surrounded by animals; we had so many growing up, and their presence made our home feel even more full of love and life.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/carissa.fagannn/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/carissa.fagan.7?mibextid=JRoKGi
