Before she became a multi-platinum songwriter and one of the most trusted vocal coaches in the music industry, Melanie Andrews was simply a gifted teenager with a notebook full of lyrics—and a best friend named Janet Jackson. Their friendship, rooted in youth and shared creative dreams, would lead to a trip that quietly changed music history and permanently altered Melanie’s life.
When Janet traveled to Minneapolis to record what would become her breakout album, Control, under the direction of legendary producers Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis, Melanie went along—not as an industry insider, but as a confidante and fellow dreamer. During that visit, Melanie gathered the courage to share a song she had written: a tender, reflective ballad about patience, love, and emotional maturity.
That song was “Let’s Wait Awhile.”
It went on to become one of the most beloved tracks from Control, resonating across generations and topping Billboard charts. For Melanie, the success was transformative. The song earned her BMI awards, multi-platinum certifications, and a permanent seat among the industry’s most respected songwriters—launching a career that would span more than four decades.
Today, Melanie Andrews is turning that lifetime of experience—its triumphs, losses, lessons, and reinventions—into wisdom for the next generation of artists through her new book series, The Do’s & Don’ts in Music.
The first volume, Built to Last – The Vocal Handbook, is not a traditional vocal manual. Instead, it offers a rare and holistic blend of vocal science, emotional coaching, spiritual grounding, and hard-won industry truth, drawn directly from Melanie’s own journey. It is a guide designed not only to strengthen the voice, but to sustain the artist behind it.
In an industry that often celebrates overnight success while ignoring longevity, Built to Last speaks directly to the realities performers face when the applause fades—burnout, self-doubt, pressure, and the need for resilience.
In 2026, Melanie will take that message directly to students nationwide through the Built to Last College Tour, a masterclass-style experience combining live workshops, Grammy-level musicianship, and meaningful mentorship. The tour is supported by the Snooky Young Foundation of the Arts, named in honor of her grandfather, legendary NEA Jazz Master Snooky Young, whose legacy of excellence and integrity continues to shape her mission.
A BMI Gold Star Member, a rare distinction honoring outstanding professional achievement, Melanie is a multi-platinum songwriter, Billboard #1 charted background vocalist, and acclaimed vocal coach. Her co-writes and vocal contributions appear on records totaling more than 14 million copies sold worldwide, with collaborators spanning Janet Jackson, Earth, Wind & Fire, and TAKE 6, the ten-time GRAMMY Award–winning vocal group.
Beyond the charts, Melanie is equally known for her impact behind the scenes. For more than three decades, she has discovered, developed, and mentored emerging artists across Pop, R&B, Jazz, and youth artist development. Through her studios in Los Angeles and Orange County, she has coached thousands of vocalists—guiding many from early warmups to sold-out stages and professional careers.
Now serving as Music Director at AudioVision-Music, Melanie continues to shape voices while expanding her role as an educator, author, and advocate for artist wellness.
Her goal is simple, yet profound: to teach young artists how to build careers—not just moments.
What the 2026 Built to Last College Tour Offers Campuses ~ Each tour stop is designed as a transformative, real-world learning experience, including:
*Live performance demonstrations with Grammy-nominated musicians,
*Vocal and songwriting intensives,
*Interactive student Q&A sessions,
*On-campus Meet & Greet and Book Signing
Also, two student scholarships per participating school:
*One Vocal Coaching Scholarship,
*One Studio Recording Scholarship
For Booking Information
AudioVision-Music Studios
📞 (949) 236-7889
📧 info@audiovisionmusic.com
🌐
www.AudioVisionMusic.com
Posted By: Robert Walker
Tuesday, January 6th 2026 at 9:35AM
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