Kara Dioguardi

Kara Elizabeth Dioguardi

I first heard about Kara Dioguardi when she became a judge on American Idol, which is a contest show on TV where singers compete to have a record deal, and I wanted to know what she had done in life to receive a position like that. I had asked my family and when I heard that she was a songwriter, I had become interested and researched her more because I wanted to know how she became a songwriter and producer. I was interested because I write songs and wanted to know more about that career path so in the future I would have an idea of what to do. I also was interested in how many of the top of the chart songs she was involved in.

Dioguardi (center left) with her former American

Becoming a songwriter is just as hard as becoming a singer or an actor. You have to be consistent in writing good songs. Tasks could be editing the songs of others, creating your own songs, producing the songs in a studio (either for yourself or others), or singing the songs others write for you. To become a producer you have to go to school with a technical degree in order to work the sound system, you could also major in literature. Salary can be very large or very small, depending on how talented you actually are. You could make anywhere from $15,000 to over $110,000. In college you have to take regular classes, but if it is offered, try to join clubs or classes that have to do with poetry or music. Most songwriters start at a very early age and usually play one or more instruments. Some writers only write lyrics while others only write music, and there are always the ones who write both. While they are young, songwriters will write a song and most likely have a blog on youtube or other cites that would allow scouts look and find their songs.

Dioguardi has always had a strong interest in music, always loved singing. When she went to college, she still had a strong love for music and enrolled in the school opera program in order to have an involvement in music while she studied pre-law. Half way through her bachelor’s degree, she switched majors and began to study to become a trial lawyer. She graduated with a major in political science in 1993. However, being a lawyer wasn’t what she loved to do, so she took a job as assistant to the editor-and-chief of Billboard magazine. It gave her an intro into music and she tried to go into the business as a singer/performer. Her performances though didn’t gain popular appeal. Lucky enough, she ran into Paula Abdul in 1998 in the streets of New York City and she gave Paula her demo. Abdul listened to it and flew Dioguardi out to Los Angeles with her. She wrote her first big hit with Paula Abdul in 2000 with helped her boost her career into the talented song writer/ producer that she is today.

Kara Dioguardi helps others through her music and inspirational lyrics. She writes for big stars, such as Christina Aguilera, Kelly Clarkson, Britney Spears and many more, who sing her songs with hopes to inspire kids around the world. She helped write the songs that singers sang at the celebrity telethon for Haiti last year, which helped make hundreds of thousands, maybe even millions, of dollars for the country. Her words give others hope and even sometimes can be used as what you are trying to say to someone if you are lost for words.

As of right now, my first step towards songwriting is just sitting at home, or wherever I go, I write songs. In high school, I know I should be taking choir or musical theatre, but I haven’t ever found interest in those programs. It would be amazing to be able to intern to a producer, when I am allowed to work, over the summer. I take instrumental classes for the piano, and used to for the guitar, so I can add the notes to the lyrics. In college, this may not be my first major, but my back up plan because it takes a lot of time to get into the music business so I am going to need a job while I am working on my music. I want to get into the business before I am out of college. I want to be able to produce a song one week and go to school the next. I am inspired by Kara Dioguardi because she started out with nothing helping her reach her goal but the love of music. She had the same ideas that I do now, such as go to college and get a major just in case the music industry isn’t the right choice. I know she got lucky and found a big star that was willing to help out but it also takes a lot of determination too. I don't know for sure as to why I chose songwriting but I know that it comes naturally to me and when you know you are good at something, you should pursue it. Speaking from someone that hasn't reached their goals yet, never give up on your goals and even if you're scared to try, don't be. In the end, once you live up to your goals, it will all be worth it.