Today we’d like to introduce you to Cardon Bolen.
Hi Cardon, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
Cardon Bolen is a singer/musician in the Kansas City area. He brings an impressive vocal range and power honed in church, singing in the choir throughout elementary and middle school. Cardon began entering singing competitions with the choir in high school, winning him accolades for his solo performances. He lent his vocal talents to Jazz, Concert, and Vocal Ensemble choirs in college.
Cardon has had many successes throughout his musical career. He began by singing and performing in the concert choir and played saxophone in the marching, concert, and jazz bands at F.L. Schlagle High School under the tutelage of Reginald May. He received Number 1 ratings in solo and ensemble competitions. He continued his music education at the Kansas City Kansas Community College participating in the concert choir, jazz choir, acapella choir, and jazz band.
He has recorded and performed with recording artists including Tech 9, Linda Randell, Oleta Adams, Craig Hella Johnson, and Conspirare. He currently sings with international recording artist Isaac Cates and Ordained, co-lead singer of the disco band Boogie Nights Kc, and Lead singer of the Earth Wind & Fire tribute band Shining Star KC. Cardon was one of the lead vocalists of the band Funk Syndicate for 2 years. He and his wife currently sing background vocals for a local Kansas City artist, Delynia Jannell Ensemble. Cardon also played the role of Jesus in the Kansas City Musical, The XII, for the past 3 years written and directed by Todd Henderson.
Cardon Bolen has over 20+ years of experience in the Kansas City music industry. Cardon sings and plays drums, was the former youth choir director, and now directs the adult choir at the Christian Fellowship Baptist Church in Kansas City Mo. He also is the Minister of Music at Faith Deliverance Family Worship Center in Kansas City, Kansas. In 2012 Cardon used his musical skills to create Dream Team Ministries. This ministry offered professional gospel choir workshops to churches in Jackson County, Missouri and Wyandotte County, Kansas to enhance their choir sound and effectiveness. Through his research, he has determined that both communities need these services and will support and promote the idea of House of Dreams.
As a musician and singer raised in the greater Kansas City area, Cardon Bolen witnessed and experienced it was often a struggle to find available and affordable space for rehearsals and audio recording. Musicians often resorted to utilizing private homes, expensive studios, or churches which often excluded artists who sing, play, or perform secular music. Cardon also saw there were issues with musicians, bands, Ensembles, singers, etc. getting bookings at events to showcase their talents and abilities, especially in the 18th and Vine area of Kansas City, MO. Seeing himself and others continuously faced with these barriers, Cardon Bolen, owner and CEO, proposed the idea of ‘House of Dreams’, a facility whose purpose is to provide a fully furnished, one stop shop that provides rehearsal, practice, audio recording space, and event space for the performing artist.
Cardon first had the idea for House of Dreams in 2015 after experiencing all the obstacles, and issues he and his wife experienced in the music community in the greater Kansas City area. Sitting on the couch one day I told my wife LaToya the vision for House of Dreams and she replied, “Huh… that’s doable!” Which then lit a fire under me to go on the journey to bring this vision to fruition!
Cardon and his wife each went through The Black MasterMind Group MasterMind BootCamp with Cardon graduating in June 19th 2022 and LaToya December 18th 2022 under the tutelage of the founder Dr. Donnetta Watson who taught them how to run their business by the numbers, and not to run your business like a hobby, hook-up or a hustle!
Which then led to July 9th 2023 Cardon & LaToya Bolen, founded and started House of Dreams. Which is created with a vision to support and uplift the incredible talent in the Kansas City music community. With their combined passion for music, entrepreneurship, and community building, the Bolens set out to create a space where creativity thrives and dreams become reality.
But House of Dreams is more than just a space; it’s a community. We believe in the power of collaboration and connection. By bringing together talented individuals in one location, we create opportunities for networking, mentorship, and growth. Whether you’re laying down tracks, perfecting your live set, or building valuable industry relationships, our space is designed to help you succeed.
Our slogan, “Catch the Vision, Believe the Dream, Share the Idea,” reflects our commitment to nurturing creativity and innovation. We believe every artist deserves a chance to bring their vision to life, and we’re here to make that happen.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
It has not been smooth at all. First I had no idea of how to run a business or where to start. All I had was the vision and idea. I tried different avenues to get help and understanding, but left feeling even more confused and irritated. Plus I had no money or any kind of financing to try and get this off the ground. I often felt like I started in the middle rather than from the beginning. I needed a step by step process and it took around 7 years to finally find that process.
Struggled alot with self-doubt, whether or not I was worthy of this vision God gave me. If I was a good enough leader, was I gonna mess it up? Fail? Ect.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
House of Dreams is a music and performing arts organization based in Wyandotte County, Kansas City, KS. Our mission is to remove the obstacles that stand between artists and their calling by building a family-oriented, faith-inspired community where independent musicians, podcasters, and creators can flourish.
We provide training, mentorship, and professional development—plus access to recording, rehearsal, and podcasting spaces, live music opportunities, and collaborative events—so that artists have everything they need to grow from passion to profession.
At House of Dreams, it’s not just about the music—it’s about belonging, believing, and becoming. Together, we create a space where unity is more than an idea; it’s a lived experience. As Scripture says: “Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity.”
We’d be interested to hear your thoughts on luck and what role, if any, you feel it’s played for you?
Connecting with the right people to help bring the vision of House of Dreams to life.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://houseofdreamskc.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/houseofdreamskc
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HouseOfDreamsLLC
- Youtube: https://youtu.be/fcd4mVXf2ZA
