Crushing Classical

We know we should be posting, and creating content, and building an audience. But what to post? What does that look like? How can we be consistent for our audiences, ESPECIALLY with all of the other demands on our time?    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 . I help people to le...

Mezzo-soprano Leandra Ramm is a dynamic performer praised for her “beautiful and quite moving” artistry (Nordstjernan Newspaper) and “brilliant” talent (San Francisco Classical Voice). Leandra has graced some of the world’s most prestigious stages, from Carnegie Hall to the San Francisco Opera House, earning acclaim for her versatility and heartfelt performances. As a featured soloist with the San...

As I was working with an entrepreneurship class last week, the question that really struck me was, "How do you DARE to get started?" How DO you?    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 episode! I help people to le...

I was fascinated to speak with Ada Witczyk, who does a niche thing - contemporary music on a baroque instrument - and who has enrolled an entire community in her vision!  Ada Witczyk is the fearless champion of contemporary music for baroque violin. Described as 'the new wave wizard' (South West Londoner), Ada Witczyk has inspired over 200 new works for baroque violin and counting. Singl...

Is your career not blossoming as fast as you would like? Some reassurance for you, AND a call to action!   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 episode! I help people to lean into their creative careers and start or grow th...

Sarah Weisbrod is a professional flutist, adjunct professor, educator, and creator of The Practice Code for Musicians, a transformative program that redefines how musicians approach practice. After near-career-ending complications from Rheumatoid Arthritis forced her to take a decade-long gap working as a software developer, she returned to music with an innovative perspective. Since earning her D...

Please enjoy this snippet from last week's planning workshop for musicians!     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 or hop onto a short discovery call from my website. I'm your h...

Many of the musicians I know are bootstrappers. We get things done, and we get things done the easiest way possible. I loved this conversation with Marc Hoffman, who went GLOBAL to make his project all the more impressive! Marc Hoffman was born in NC, received a BM in composition from the North Carolina School of the Arts, and completed additional study in film composition at the University of Sou...

My New Year's Gratitude for the community of musicians, artists, and grocery store baggers who make the world a better place all year long.   Join me on December 30 for an intimate planning session and make your 2025 DIFFERENT. Better. More interesting and more abundant!  Register for free HERE   Thanks for joining me on Crushing Classical!  Theme music and audio editing by  DreamVance . You...

Have you dreamed about bringing a HUGE creative project to life? You will love hearing from Dr. Matt Cook, whose Braveship album was just released.  This narrated symphonic experience encompasses multimedia, live performance, a novelization, and even a forthcoming video game! Instagram: @mattcookwrites TikTok: @mattcookwrites Website: www.visitmatt.com  Braveship: www.braveshipmedia.com Thanks for...

The dismaying truth about our industry is that being good at your instrument and good at your artistry is not ENOUGH to make you a leader! No one offers you exactly the role you are looking for just because you are there looking cute.  If you want something different, you get to build it!   Join me for a FREE planning workshop on December 30, 2024, and make your New Year the best one yet. Register...

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...