Crushing Classical

I have this imaginary story of what a composer does all day - and it's based on Mozart and Beethoven biopics and a sort of La Boheme-ish romantic image of starving artists. In this generous interview, Eric Malmquist takes us behind the scenes of a recent commission and offers great tips for anyone wanting to work in our business!  Eric Malmquist (b. 1985) writes earnestly heartfelt and engagi...

The energy we musicians bring to performance is unusual, and important. We can't do our incredible work without it. How do you think about protecting your brain for this job requirement?    Thanks for joining me on Crushing Classical!  Theme music by DreamVance . You can join my email list  HERE , so you never miss an episode! I help people to lean into their creative careers and start or gro...

I'm always interested in project management - how big and complex projects come to life. I'm always interested in inspiration - where the ideas come from and the WHY behind them. This interview gives us ALL of that and more!    Born in Dublin, very close to the location of many of Handel's Dublin performances in 1741and 1742, Dr. Desmond Earley is an accomplished harpsichordist, con...

A conversation I recently had got thrillingly concrete when we started asking and answering concrete questions. Might some ACTION steps help you, too?  Thanks for joining me on Crushing Classical!  Theme music by DreamVance . You can join my email list  HERE , so you never miss an episode! I help people to lean into their creative careers and start or grow their income streams.  You can read more...

With an active performing and recording schedule, and a growing studio of students, Shawn Tairyu Head has dedicated himself to bringing the shakuhachi to new audiences around the world. While he embraces the traditional melodies of the ancient repertoire known as honkyoku , his classical conservatory training and Western spiritual perspective make him equally at home composing and commissioning ne...

One of the pillars of a portfolio career is Joy and Artistic Fulfillment.  How many of your last, say, five gigs offered you Joy? Or Artistic Fulfillment?  You always get to choose. Here are some ways to think about this important part of your creative life! Thanks for joining me on Crushing Classical!  Theme music by  DreamVance . You can join my email list  HERE , so you never miss an episode! I...

Michelle Lynn, a Canadian pianist now based in Europe, expanded from being a classical musician to being an entrepreneur by founding the Fearless Artist Mastermind during COVID-19. The program helps classical musicians build fulfilling careers through monthly online calls, hot seats for peer advice, and a social media program called the Sprint. Michelle emphasizes the importance of a growth mindse...

We talk about consistency as though it is the be-all and end-all of a musical career, a reedmaking business, teaching, parenting, business - but what if the truth were something more ...flexible?    Thanks for joining me on Crushing Classical!  Theme music by  DreamVance . You can join my email list  HERE , so you never miss an episode! I help people to lean into their creative careers and start o...

Classical music can be such a slow-moving industry.  I'm fascinated by our innovators, like today's guest, who is developing new ways to serve and support his audience and students!    Since winning the BBC Young Musician strings category, Callum has soloed with the UK's leading orchestras (Royal Philharmonic, BBC Philharmonic, Hallé) and offered recitals in leading venues (Wigmore...

Humans are social animals - but you wouldn't always know it from talking with classical musicians and musicpreneurs! In today's episode, I talk about the many advantages you can gain from finding your people and TALKING about your ideas!  Interested in my Reed Business Mastermind?   Email me!   I have two slots left and we start next week. Thanks for joining me on Crushing Classical!  Th...

The author of the classic “Beyond Talent: Creating a Successful Career in Music,” Angela Myles Beeching is the former director of career and entrepreneurship programs at Manhattan School of Music, Indiana University, and New England Conservatory. Ms. Beeching maintains a thriving online coaching practice helping musicians get more of their best work out into the world so they can become the artist...

Perhaps you've been told that the key to visibility and a successful business is to make CONTENT for social media or SEO.  How is that working out for you?    I would encourage you to take the next step, by including a Call to Action in your content. What does this look like? The Happiest Musician explains.    Thanks for joining me on Crushing Classical!  Theme music by DreamVance . You can j...

When an art song and opera composer writes a memoir, what does that process look like? Does mastery in one creative realm translate to another? How is an aria like a story?  I just loved this deep and passionate conversation with Ricky Ian Gordon, author of the new memoir SEEING THROUGH: A Chronicle of Sex, Drugs, and Opera.   Ricky Ian Gordon was born in Oceanside, NY and raised on Long Island. A...

It's Fall! As we move into the start of the school year, how is your schedule changing? How do you WANT it to change?  I love this seasonal exercise of reconsidering how I spend my time and WHEN I do things. Maybe you would like to work it alongside me! I'd love to hear from you. How does this episode sit for you? Are there questions you'd like me to explore in future minisodes? Ema...

Have you ever struggled with Imposter Syndrome, with Perfectionism, with being bored and stifled as a musician or as a human? You will love hearing from Cory Barger!   Cory Barger is the principal bassoonist in the Filarmónica de Boca del Río, and the founder of Practice Happier, a coaching practice dedicated to helping musicians get the most out of their practice sessions without sacrificing thei...

Have you considered adding a group offering to your studio - but weren't sure WHAT or HOW to teach? Have you wished for a more efficient way of helping your students to learn, and a way to take back some of YOUR precious time?  I recently gave this talk to a group of music teachers through Muzie.live, and wanted to share it with you.  I'd love to hear from you! How are you teaching now?...

I have wondered, in my darker days, whether this portfolio career I love is truly sustainable. Whether I can really keep tweaking and evolving all the way until I stop. This interview gave me an inspiring YES!   Hailed by Fanfare Magazine as "one of the great cellists of our time", Nancy Green is an internationally recognized recording artist, known for her highly acclaimed CDs of previo...

Have you ever felt like your content, your social media sharing, even your practice schedule is the BOSS of you?  Consistency is important, and also you are a human being with reasonable human needs.  I'd love to hear from you. You can DM me on  instagram  or  email me  with your thoughts on this episode or a question I could answer on a future one!    Thanks for joining me on Crushing Classi...

Miriam Schulman is an artist, author, and host of The Inspiration Place podcast. She’s helped thousands of creatives around the world develop their skill sets and create more time and freedom to do what they love. Her signature coaching program, The Artist Incubator, teaches artists go from “so-so” sales to “sold-out” collections.   After witnessing 9/11, she abandoned a lucrative hedge fund to be...

I had an AHA during a FLOW class I was leading last week. You can choose what you pay attention to!  This had such a wide resonance for me that I couldn't wait to share it with you.  What do you want to pay attention to? What focus might help you to move forward?  I'd love to hear from you. You can DM me on instagram or email me with your thoughts on this episode or a question I could an...

I just loved this conversation with Dr. Jonathan Gregoire. From the first moment we met I could tell we were aligned in how we saw the world, how we saw our musical careers, and how we sought to help others.  His journey from full-time, salaried performing work to the entrepreneurial world of coaching is an inspiration!  Dr. Gregoire is a multi-talented creative coach and performing artist. With e...

I'm releasing a new pre-recorded course this week for oboists! And I'm pulling back the curtains of my business to talk about how I created it.  If you've been curious about bolstering your own online presence with educational offerings, and if you've been stymied by the tech, or the marketing, or by the fear of putting yourself out there, you might find this interesting and he...

Michael Cooke is an accomplished multi-instrumentalist and composer, seamlessly blending the worlds of jazz and classical music. A two Emmy Awards and the Louis Armstrong Jazz Award, Cooke’s versatility shines through in his mastery of soprano, alto, and tenor saxophones, flute, soprano and bass clarinets, bassoon, and percussion. A cum laude graduate in composition from the University of North Te...

What I learned on my summer vacation... about hiking up a mountain, playing the oboe, and crafting my career! Perhaps you too will enjoy this minisode about choosing your own path.    Make sure you SUBSCRIBE to Crushing Classical, and maybe even leave a nice review!  Thanks for joining me on Crushing Classical!  Theme music by DreamVance . You can join my email list  HERE , so you never miss an ep...

Stepping into today’s conversation with Chad Lawson, I had a loose idea of what we’d be talking about, but the actual conversation was surprising - genuine, soulful, and simultaneously grounded in the practicality of making money as a performer and recording artist.  We explored the tension between what you COULD do, and what you maybe WANT to do, and what your audience loves you for.  Where is th...