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Crushing Classical

Crushing Classical is a series of interviews with classical musicians who are forging unique paths with their talent, creating their own artistic fulfillment and financial comfort, and finding ways to thrive. I celebrate these brave people who are taking routes outside of traditional orchestral or academic employment! As always, I invite you to listen for your own sparks and breadcrumbs, and use these interviews to find the possibilities that exist in your own life.
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Now displaying: 2019

The Happiest Musician: Creating A Career You Love With All The Things You Love Doing

Dec 20, 2019

What you'll hear:

  • The benefit of being an *early adopter*
  • Audience research… how Nathan adjusted to suit what he discovered while growing his audience
  • What it looks like to be CHOOSY in your career - the fear most people feel and how it really works
  • The power of getting a coach for your business - something that’s *really* different from having a private teacher for your instrument
  • Zeroing on the exact student you’d like to teach - and how that impacts your business
  • The power of the group camaraderie and support when you join (or create) an online coaching program
  • How to deal with “competition” when you start doing work online
  • And so much more!

Want to learn how to turn YOUR creative expertise into a consistent 6-Figure income? You need to discover your Proprietary Methodology. Click HERE to watch my free training that will show you:

  • Why “taking more gigs” is silently killing your earning potential - and what you need to be doing instead starting immediately
  • How to double your income by working significantly LESS than you do now - while also making yourself immune to any economic downturn (this one strategy alone will transform your bank account)
  • I’ll show you why discovering your “Triple A” is the key to thriving in the current climate - you’ll learn exactly what this is and why 99% of creatives have NO clue it exists
  • I’m also going to teach you The EXACT 4-step blueprint for kissing the “gig life” goodbye and ONLY doing work that feeds your creative spirit & soul
  • Finally, you’ll learn how to achieve Creative Nirvana by turning your years of unique expertise into a 6-figure enterprise you love waking up to that the world has been eagerly waiting for 

Watch HERE.

Dec 6, 2019

What you'll hear:

  • Getting an internship… the gutsy way Joe did it
  • The embarrassing thing Joe and I both admit… but it’s a smart move after college!
  • Getting started as a commercial composer - what that looks like
  • The value of getting a “real” job after undergrad
  • The self-employment conundrum… how do you get clients? Joe shares his secret (hint: it’s connected to visibility!)
  • Self employment and your personality type - what works, what doesn’t
  • The most important part of your website - this is KEY info for composers and all musicians

To follow Joe and find out more about his work, check him out on Instagram at @thechickensound, Facebook at The Chicken, LLC and Joe's website: https://www.thechicken.net/

SIGN UP for the Crushing Classical mailing list for exclusive audience building tips and podcast updates! I'll only send podcast and Crushing Classical news, never spam, and I would NEVER share your email.

Sign up now and receive the free PDF download, Three Ways Becoming Visible Can Revolutionize Your Music Career:

https://mailchi.mp/809d9dfaa1e3/crushingclassical

CC theme music by Gaby Castro: follow her @musiciansprime on Instagram

Nov 21, 2019

What you'll hear:

  • The incredible, daring project of taking a 9’ Steinway OUTSIDE to play concerts in nature… THE logistics around THAT!
  • Sharing your new ideas with friends and colleagues… the advice you need to hear
  • How to make your vision for what you’re creating super CLEAR
  • Why Hunter loves grants - and his advice on doing better at applying for them… this one is SO important!
  • One way to tell if your project is a good idea… I love this!
  • The experience of hearing *feedback* from your audience about what you’re doing - the impact it had on Hunter… this one is so powerful, you don’t want to miss this!

Learn more about In A Landscape and subscribe to their mailing list here: https://www.inalandscape.org/

Follow Hunter and the happenings of In A Landscape on social media:

https://www.facebook.com/hunternoackpiano/ 

https://www.instagram.com/inalandscape/

Do you want to find out if The Visibility Workshop is right for you?

Click here to book a call!

CC theme music by Gaby Castro: follow her @musiciansprime on Instagram

 

Nov 14, 2019

Thank you for joining me on my first SOLO podcast episode, a follow up to the free training, Find Your Boss Self - where I explore the reasons why people are resisting becoming visible and growing their audience.

What you'll hear:

  • Does audience building have to take up all of your time? My philosophy on this
  • What about what your colleagues think? I share the reason you feel this pressure, what they see and how to remedy your feeling self-conscious around your new project and visibility in front of colleagues who see you a certain way
  • What do you *really* get from growing an audience - this one is the best part
  • Income streams - yes, you have the power to create a new income stream in your life, and audience building is where it starts. I share my views on what this looks like now and what is possible

Want to learn how to turn YOUR creative expertise into a consistent 6-Figure income? You need to discover your Proprietary Methodology. Click HERE to watch my free training that will show you:

  • Why “taking more gigs” is silently killing your earning potential - and what you need to be doing instead starting immediately
  • How to double your income by working significantly LESS than you do now - while also making yourself immune to any economic downturn (this one strategy alone will transform your bank account)
  • I’ll show you why discovering your “Triple A” is the key to thriving in the current climate - you’ll learn exactly what this is and why 99% of creatives have NO clue it exists
  • I’m also going to teach you The EXACT 4-step blueprint for kissing the “gig life” goodbye and ONLY doing work that feeds your creative spirit & soul
  • Finally, you’ll learn how to achieve Creative Nirvana by turning your years of unique expertise into a 6-figure enterprise you love waking up to that the world has been eagerly waiting for 

Watch HERE.

Nov 7, 2019

What you'll hear:

  • The one thing you need to know about musicians’ hearing health
  • How to find the RIGHT audiologist as a musician - specific for musicians’ needs
  • Things you NEED to tell an audiologist when you go to an appointment - I never would have known this!
  • What to do if you get a negative hearing diagnosis - first step, don’t freak out! Hear what to do after that!
  • Things you can do in your surroundings to protect your hearing - this is a must-hear!
  • The surprising advice about how to adjust to earplugs - I never thought of this, but it’s pretty obvious!
  • New technology coming down the pike for ear protection - this one is amazing!
  • And much more!

For more information about Heather and her work and to find her for your own hearing health:

https://www.soundcheckaudiology.com/

Want to learn how to turn YOUR creative expertise into a consistent 6-Figure income? You need to discover your Proprietary Methodology. Click HERE to watch my free training that will show you:

  • Why “taking more gigs” is silently killing your earning potential - and what you need to be doing instead starting immediately
  • How to double your income by working significantly LESS than you do now - while also making yourself immune to any economic downturn (this one strategy alone will transform your bank account)
  • I’ll show you why discovering your “Triple A” is the key to thriving in the current climate - you’ll learn exactly what this is and why 99% of creatives have NO clue it exists
  • I’m also going to teach you The EXACT 4-step blueprint for kissing the “gig life” goodbye and ONLY doing work that feeds your creative spirit & soul
  • Finally, you’ll learn how to achieve Creative Nirvana by turning your years of unique expertise into a 6-figure enterprise you love waking up to that the world has been eagerly waiting for 

Watch HERE.

Oct 17, 2019

What you'll hear:

  • The conundrum Jeffrey found himself in when he started his new job as a horn teacher in a university, and how he solved it
  • The story behind his unique way of teaching the horn
  • What improvisation REALLY is… this was my favorite description of it I’ve ever heard
  • An amazing distinction between playing and listening… 
  • A toxic part of the teaching paradigm, something I believed until now!
  • Instead of fearing improvisation as a student… what if we demanded it be part of the curriculum? We discuss.
  • The BIG difference in his students that have been improvising every day now compared to the ones who haven’t - this one is so powerful.
  • What his goal is as a teacher - you simply have to hear this.

For more information on Jeffrey and to purchase his books:

http://jeffreyagrell.com/

To purchase on Amazon: https://amzn.to/33DwZj0  

I want to thank Ficks Music for sponsoring Crushing Classical. When you’re looking for high quality sheet music, look no further than FICKS! 

https://www.ficksmusic.com/discount/CRUSH

Use the link above to get 10% off your first order!

 

SIGN UP for the Crushing Classical mailing list and never miss a beat! I'll only send podcast and Crushing Classical news, never spam, and I would NEVER share your email.

Sign up now and receive the free PDF download, Three Ways Becoming Visible Can Revolutionize Your Music Career:

https://mailchi.mp/809d9dfaa1e3/crushingclassical

 

 

 

Oct 3, 2019

What you'll hear:

  • The devastating relationship in orchestras between the musicians and the management: what is behind this?
  • The most valuable actions that musicians can do in partnership with the management
  • The actual key to breaking down the barrier between the two sides
  • Redefining the qualifications of a professional musician *outside* of just the valuable playing ability and musicianship: going forward, will it be wise to allow your playing to tell the whole story when applying for a job? We discuss
  • Who should - and who should not - be involved in deciding repertoire in an orchestra
  • The REAL talk: the salary differences within an orchestra organization. How to figure out what’s fair and right in this landscape
  • Changing The Narrative: hear how Aubrey is impacting the larger landscape of the orchestra business in a big way

Mark your calendars! Sign up below for my FREE 3-DAY TRAINING, Tuesday 10/15 - Thursday 10/17 at 12:00 noon ET! Find out the #1 Biggest opportunity you haven’t tried to grow your career and expand your income https://mailchi.mp/2b6f5ce10cc5/ccfindyourbossself

More information about Aubrey:https://www.aubreybergauer.com/

To contact Aubrey: hello@aubreybergauer.com

I want to thank Ficks Music for sponsoring Crushing Classical. When you’re looking for high quality sheet music, look no further than FICKS! 

https://www.ficksmusic.com/discount/CRUSH

Use the link above to get 10% off your first order!

Sep 19, 2019

What you'll hear:

  • Being a child prodigy and his very advanced view on how to deal with success at an early age
  • How Conrad figured out his NICHE - great advice for EVERY musician
  • The question every music org should ask themselves about programming - this one is so spot on!
  • The audience-building misunderstandings currently in the classical music marketplace - a new way of looking at it
  • What presenting classical music is *really* about - his down-to earth philosophy that could revolutionize the classical music world

For more about Conrad: https://www.conradtao.com/

Follow him on Instagram @conradtao

Conrad's trio: Junction Trio: https://www.jcttrio.com/

Also mentioned on the show:

Pianists Martha Argerich and Grigory Sokolov 

Barbara Hannigan, conductor and soprano

Alexi Kenny, violin: http://www.alexikenney.com/

Tyshawn Sorey: @dr.szechuan.soiree https://tyshawnsorey.com/

SIGN UP for the Crushing Classical mailing list and never miss a beat! I'll only send podcast and Crushing Classical news, never spam, and I would NEVER share your email.

Sign up now and receive the free PDF download, Three Ways Becoming Visible Can Revolutionize Your Music Career:

https://mailchi.mp/809d9dfaa1e3/crushingclassical

I want to thank Ficks Music for sponsoring Crushing Classical. When you’re looking for high quality sheet music, look no further than FICKS! 

https://www.ficksmusic.com/discount/CRUSH

Use the link above to get 10% off your first order!

Sep 5, 2019

What you'll hear:

  • The delicate dance of raising money and writing grants - 
  • The income story - what everyone wants to know about self-founded ensembles
  • Band Mindset vs. Business Mindset: Navigating the transition to making the ensemble a business
  • The surprising things about grant writing and the learning curves involved
  • Managing their own finances… and what they learned from their mistakes

To learn more about JACK and their projects, check them out at their website: http://jackquartet.com/

SIGN UP for the Crushing Classical mailing list and never miss a beat! I'll only send podcast and Crushing Classical news, never spam, and I would NEVER share your email.

Sign up now and receive the free PDF download, Three Ways Becoming Visible Can Revolutionize Your Music Career:

https://mailchi.mp/809d9dfaa1e3/crushingclassical

I want to thank Ficks Music for sponsoring Crushing Classical. When you’re looking for high quality sheet music, look no further than FICKS! 

https://www.ficksmusic.com/discount/CRUSH

Use the link above to get 10% off your first order!

A HUGE thanks to Gaby Castro of Fourplay Clarinet and composer of the NEW Crushing Classical theme music! Check her out at @fourplayclarinet on Facebook and Instagram!

Jun 13, 2019

Thank you for joining me on the season finale episode of Crushing Classical! Stay tuned for Season 4, launching at the beginning of September.

What you'll hear:

  • The VALUE of building your audience online - the WHY from Lucas
  • How a karaoke night fast-tracked his career in the US
  • The importance of being in the right place at the right time… and being PREPARED for when you are
  • Some solid advice about school and student loan debt
  • How Lucas negotiated his tuition - and his point of view about school. This one is SUPER valuable!
  • And much more!

Follow Lucas on Instagram: @lucasmeachem

Lucas' blog: https://lucasmeachem.com/

I want to thank Ficks Music for sponsoring Crushing Classical. When you’re looking for high quality sheet music, look no further than FICKS! 

https://www.ficksmusic.com/discount/CRUSH

Use the link above to get 10% off your first order!

May 23, 2019

What you'll hear:

  • How learning how to tell better stories is crucial for musicians
  • In today’s world with so much going on - what draws people to concerts? We discuss
  • On being a freelancer: the mindset and strategy that keeps you fulfilled and energized
  • The fringe benefits of your jobs outside of the repertoire and playing experience; this one is valuable and often forgotten about
  • The deeper way to find and show your humanity as a musician - and how that can grow and cultivate your audience
  • The steps to creating a summer chamber music festival and education program - how she did it!
  • Feeding your money-making side with your creative side: why feeding yourself is so important for your life
  • And much more!

Carrie's website: https://www.cjanework.com/

Mentioned on the show: Carrie’s upcoming book launch: Black Tie Optional is available on Amazon: https://amzn.to/2HMsHwb

 

Her other books are also on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/s?k=carrie+knowles&ref=nb_sb_noss_2

 

The play adaptation of her short story - the performance is in RALEIGH soon! Sunday, May 26th at Burning Coal Theater in Raleigh!

http://burningcoal.org/

Information about Six: https://www.womenstheatrefestival.com/six

I want to thank Ficks Music for sponsoring Crushing Classical. When you’re looking for high quality sheet music, look no further than FICKS! 

https://www.ficksmusic.com/discount/CRUSH

Use the link above to get 10% off your first order!

May 9, 2019

Today on the show I have Aubrey Bergauer, Executive Director of the California Symphony. What you'll hear:

  • Allowing concert goers to use their PHONES ON SILENT… the reaction from people inside the orchestra business and how people handle it in real life
  • The shocking marketing figure about social media… and what orchestras are MISSING when it comes to marketing. This one surprised me!
  • The phenomenon true for all humans that is extremely detrimental to arts organizations - and what to do about it
  • The surprising discoveries she found from a UNIQUE survey she conducted and the changes she made because of it
  • Orchestras: The problem you think you have (we need to build a new/younger audience) is not your actual problem. What it really is and what to do about it
  • And SO much more - this is a must-listen for all musicians, orchestra managements, festivals and opera companies who care about the future of classical music and the success of their own institutions!

Book recommendation: The Marketing Rebellion by Mark Schaefer

Southwest Magazine article about Aubrey:https://www.southwestmag.com/aubrey-bergauer/

Aubrey’s blog on Medium.com: https://medium.com/@AubreyBergauer

California Symphony website and social media pages: https://www.californiasymphony.org/ 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/californiasymphony/

Instagram: @californiasymphony 

I want to thank Ficks Music for sponsoring Crushing Classical. When you’re looking for high quality sheet music, look no further than FICKS! 

https://www.ficksmusic.com/discount/CRUSH

Use the link above to get 10% off your first order!

Apr 25, 2019

What you'll hear:

  • How Amy Beth grew hers/her daughter’s Instagram account to over 28,000 followers
  • How she self-created her own career as a soloist
  • How she navigated an extremely difficult time in her life that put her solo career on hold - and how she jump-started it again
  • How being TRUE to YOURSELF, while sometimes scary - WORKS in creating a career you love
  • Some great ideas for creating MORE than a just a teaching studio
  • The BIG career move she just made, the process and the advice she has for musicians who think they might want to make a change

I want to thank Ficks Music for sponsoring Crushing Classical. When you’re looking for high quality sheet music, look no further than FICKS! 

https://www.ficksmusic.com/discount/CRUSH

Use the link above to get 10% off your first order!

A HUGE thanks to Gaby Castro of Fourplay Clarinet and composer of the NEW Crushing Classical theme music! Check her out at @fourplayclarinet on Facebook and Instagram!

Apr 12, 2019

What you'll hear:

  • The realization that Kate had about her career that caused her to immediately begin pursuing a solo concert career
  • The actual steps she did to start
  • The game-changer that people don’t realize makes this career path much more palatable
  • Management: the pros and cons
  • Keeping it all organized… her solid and do-able method
  • The key to managing yourself and your organization
  • Great tip for traveling for cellists!

Check out Kate’s website for where she’s performing, and my favorite post of hers on her blog:

https://katekayaian.com/

https://talesfromthelane.com/2018/11/12/5-steps-to-turning-a-funk-into-your-next-breakthrough/

Kate’s planner:

https://inkandvolt.com/

I want to thank Ficks Music for sponsoring Crushing Classical. When you’re looking for high quality sheet music, look no further than FICKS MUSIC!

https://www.ficksmusic.com/discount/CRUSH

Use the link above to get 10% off your first order!

A big thank you to GABY CASTRO for our new THEME MUSIC! Check out Gaby at her clarinet quartet Fourplay Clarinet at @fourplayclarinet on Facebook and Instagram

Mar 28, 2019

What you'll hear:

  • Choosing a college to support YOU, who you are and putting your unique self and needs first in that choice
  • How doing a different major led Ingrid back to music
  • The importance of independence in creating your own career
  • How she found a full-ride to music - something to consider!
  • The benefits of *not* going to a big name conservatory
  • How Ingrid realized she *could* make singing a part of her career
  • Designing your own major - yes, this is a thing
  • Why worrying on “focusing on one thing” in school may not be the best advice all the time
  • The MAIN THING to look at when you’re seeking out a music school

A HUGE THANK YOU to GABY CASTRO of FOURPLAY CLARINET for composing my new theme music! Thank you! Check out Gaby and her ensemble @fourplayclarinet on IG, FB and YouTube and subscribe to their channel!!!

I want to thank Ficks Music for sponsoring Crushing Classical. When you’re looking for high quality sheet music, look no further than  https://www.ficksmusic.com/discount/CRUSH

Use the link above to get 10% off your order!

 

Mentioned in the episode:

Follow Ingrid on Instagram: @violingrid

Azusa Pacific: https://www.apu.edu/

University North Texas String Institute: https://ssi.music.unt.edu/

Axiom Camp: https://www.axiomquartet.com/camp

https://www.afatexas.org/summer/

Mar 8, 2019

What you'll hear:

  • What his first job in the record industry taught him
  • How the dark period after Tower Records closed led him to creating his own business
  • The biggest mistakes people make in PR
  • How much does it cost? Real talk about WHEN you need a PR firm
  • The importance of STORYTELLING and how you do it
  • The best time to hire a publicist

To find out more about Andrew, Unison Media, Crypt and Catacombs concert series and his Burger project:

https://www.unison.media/

https://www.deathofclassical.com/cryptsessions

http://www.brgrclub.com/

I want to thank Ficks Music for sponsoring Crushing Classical. When you’re looking for high quality sheet music, look no further than  https://www.ficksmusic.com/discount/CRUSH

Use the link above to get 10% off your order!

Feb 21, 2019
  • How a hobby can become a big part of what you do… and a potential career facet and income stream
  • How Sarah grew her Instagram following from a personal page with some posts about violin to a 13,000 following connected to her food blog
  • How her large following on Instagram led to *delicious* brand partnerships
  • A look outside the box on this podcast showed Sarah some other options for her food facet of her career she hasn’t thought of yet…
  • Talking through monetizing a hobby… the pros and cons
  • Getting started building your audience WHILE you’re still in school… the reasons you’ll be glad you did
  • Some great advice about Instagram…

 

Sarah's blog: http://thehungrymusician.com/

I want to thank Ficks Music for sponsoring Crushing Classical. When you’re looking for high quality sheet music, look no further than  https://www.ficksmusic.com/discount/CRUSH

Use the link above to get 10% off your order!

Feb 7, 2019

What you'll hear:

  • The benefits and challenges of being in a category on ONE
  • How to navigate a music education when you have more than one musical interest and focus
  • How to forge relationships for collaboration
  • The project he did which showed him a whole world with regards for what creating your own musical business can look like

To hear Jodie with WildUP Friday, 2/8 at 8:00

https://www.carolinaperformingarts.org/ros_perf_series/wild-up-2/ 

To learn more about Jodie:

http://jodielandau.com/ 

I want to thank Ficks Music for sponsoring Crushing Classical. When you’re looking for high quality sheet music, look no further than  https://www.ficksmusic.com/discount/CRUSH

Use the link above to get 10% off your order!

Jan 25, 2019

What you'll hear:

  • The UNIQUE programs Cory found that led him to finding his voice
  • The benefits of repeat performances - how doing something a lot transforms what you’re doing
  • The benefactor who changed Cory’s path - and led him to creating the business model he has today
  • How Cory found his true audience - the gut feeling and the actions he took to follow that knowingness
  • How the happenstance of not having a professor at grad school gave him a head-start on his future
  • The one thing musicians say that Cory strongly disagrees with

Find Cory at and his books and CDs at:

http://splatboombang.com/percussive-storytelling/ 

YouTube Channel:

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCUeSTBu3HOtUDNkrmZjnbPw 

I want to thank Ficks Music for sponsoring Crushing Classical. When you’re looking for high quality sheet music, look no further than  https://www.ficksmusic.com/discount/CRUSH

Jan 10, 2019

What you'll hear:

  • Coming of age with streaming - how Spotify influenced his entrepreneurial venture
  • The true mindset needed for *actual* entrepreneurship (hint: it’s likely not taught in any class)
  • The reactions from the publishing industry - this answer surprised me
  • How a digital music app can actually help the paper music publishing companies - something I hadn’t thought of
  • The most important part of partnership-based businesses - the key to creating long-term relationships
  • Dealing with rejection when raising money - Lorenzo gives the real talk about this - and the parallels to raising money for a nonprofit
  • ... And much more!

I want to thank Ficks Music for sponsoring Crushing Classical. When you’re looking for high quality sheet music, look no further than  https://www.ficksmusic.com/discount/CRUSH

Use the link above to get 10% off your order!

Mentioned on the show:

https://www.nkoda.com/

https://www.facebook.com/nkodamusic/ 

https://www.instagram.com/nkodamusic/?hl=en 

https://twitter.com/nkoda?lang=en 

https://www.modacity.co/ 

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