About us
ABOUT CASSANDRA
Cassandra Vohs -Demann is a dynamic leader and entrepreneur with years of experience as a professional musician, performer, coach, composer, and producer.
Over the past several years, Cassandra has worked as a private coach and mentor through her company A Place to Shine Music with a primary focus on voice, performance coaching and artist development.
As a performing artist, Cassandra has done hundreds of concerts for audiences of one to over thirty thousand. She has performed as a soloist, opera singer, theater performer, fronted several bands and has worked with professional musicians from coast to coast. Cassandra is a sought-after concert artist in the region for festivals, fundraising events and concert series and performs every year for over five thousand people at the annual Lighting of the Square in Woodstock. She has released original music on all major platforms and can be heard on Pandora Radio as well as Women of Substance Radio.
As a dedicated community builder, Cassandra sees a need and seeks out solutions. She finds great fulfillment in creating opportunities for people to find a sense of belonging, purpose and to share their gifts. She is founder and artistic director of the Woodstock Community Choir, a 501c3 nonprofit organization that was adopted by the city of Woodstock after less than 4 years.
In 2019, Cassandra was named Woodstock Chamber of Commerce’s “Entrepreneur of the Year.” She serves as vice chair of the Mayor appointed Woodstock Arts Commission. She has composed music to serve several nonprofit organizations in supporting their missions including: Food Shed Co-Op, Pioneer Center of McHenry County and Mainstay Therapeutic Riding. She is the executive producer/creator of the “Second Saturday Concert Series” in collaboration with the Woodstock Opera House which was designed to produce inspiring, intimate concerts while promoting local and regional performers.
Cassandra’s approach to coaching is fueled by her desire to build connections. Music and coaching have been her passions since her childhood growing up on a farm. The fifth of six children, she struggled to find her own identity and spent much of her time alone. She discovered that music and creativity were where she found her connection to herself. When she was not playing stuffed animal rock concert, she was playing school. Her first job was at the age of twelve when she was recommended as a tutor by her school principal and through that she found her other calling to teach. Cassandra has a natural ability to connect with people and she is dedicated to helping her clients grow in all aspects of their lives.
CASSANDRA VOHS-DEMANN
Vocalist, Pianist, Guitar, Coach, Producer
Public Speaker, Writer, Songwriter
AVAILABLE FOR:
Concerts (Solo or with a band)
Professional Vocalist
National Anthem (Has sung for the Chicago Bulls, Lauren Underwood and more...)
Performance & Artist Development Coaching
Team Building
Custom Songwriting for Professional Organizations/Businesses/Personal
Workshops/Master Classes
Arts Organization Consulting
Leadership Coaching
Concert/Event Planning & Production
THE STUDIO
A Place to Shine Music owner, Cassandra Vohs-Demann, provides training for singers, songwriters, educators and creative artists at all levels of development. Anyone can come and explore their creative expression in a safe, nurturing environment. In addition to providing educational resources to students and aspiring teachers, she is also dedicated to creating opportunities for music instructors and professional performers to share their gifts and inspire others while continuing on their own journey of growth as artists.
Whether it is singing at a local open mic or pursuing a professional career as a singer, actress, songwriter, public speaker or any other form of self-expression or performance, she is here to help you take the next step in your journey. Cassandra is here to support each client's goals and assist in creating a clear path to achieve them. Come find your place to shine!
OUR CLIENTS
Our students range from beginning to professional level. Many current and past students of A Place to Shine Music are working as Professional Musical Theater Performers, Music Directors, Music Therapists, Voice Teachers, School Music Teachers, Professional Touring Musicians, Recording Artists, Actors, Directors, Public Speakers, Entrepreneurs and Songwriters.
HISTORY
Cassandra has been performing professionally for over 30 years. She is a trained vocalist, writer, coach, actress, and an accomplished songwriter. She loves to use her musical gifts to be of service, bring people together and build community. Always a performer at heart, she is thrilled to be back singing regularly after a long hiatus.
Cassandra’s love of singing and the arts came at an early age while growing up on a farm in Woodstock, IL. She is the owner of A Place to Shine Music, where for almost 30 years, she has been teaching, performing, writing and producing music. After receiving a degree in Music Education and Vocal Performance from the University of Illinois in 1991, Cassandra continued her professional training in opera and acting in Chicago where she performed with the Grant Park Symphony, toured with The New Organization for Vocal Artistry and was an anthem soloist for the Chicago Bulls. She has had the pleasure of working with several amazing coaches and directors. She has extensive experience both as an actress and musical director. She was also an extra in the movie Groundhog Day with Bill Murray filmed in her hometown of Woodstock!
In 1999 Cassandra shifted from opera to contemporary music. She began focusing more on her passion for writing and performing her own original songs. Since then, she has toured the Midwest as a solo performer and has been the lead vocalist for numerous rock bands. Cassandra currently performs with a band, as a solo artist and is asked to collaborate regularly with other talented area musicians. She has performed in Nashville Writer's Rounds, is a member of ASCAP and The Nashville Songwriters Association.
Her CD "Here I Am" was recorded at Starbell Hatchery Studio with friend, collaborator, and producer, John Hegner, and was released on October 23, 2010. She was thrilled to have guitarist Peter Calo play on her CD as well. Peter is a New York based guitarist known for his work with Carly Simon. The CD can be heard on Pandora Radio and is also available on iTunes. She is always writing new music and collaborates regularly with her colleague and friend, Brian Silver. Cassandra also collaborates with LA based drummer, composer, and friend, Graham Butler.
A prolific songwriter, Cassandra's lyrics and extraordinary vocals connect with people straight from the heart. Three of Cassandra’s songs, Let’s Paint the World, The Teacher and Colors have been used as the backdrops for Pioneer Center for Human Services of McHenry County's 2011 and 2012 mission videos. Her song “Legacy” was used as the backdrop for a video for the Lakeside Legacy Arts Park in January 2013. In addition, her song “Celebrate Anyway” has been released as a free download for those dealing with loss and grief during the holidays. In 2017, she collaborated with producer John Hegner, of Starbell Hatchery Studio, to record an original song written to help promote the Food Shed CoOp in McHenry County. She recently performed her song "Just Come Through the Door" for Mainstay Therapeutic Riding's Annual Benefit and there are plans for a video in the future to help promote the organization.
Most recently, she released her single WE ARE dedicated to the strong women in her life.
Cassandra's studio is in her home in Woodstock, IL where she lives with her husband Philip and their 2 cats, Blaze and Misty.