The Fourforty (440) with Eric Branner

Drummer, educator, author, and industry leader Joe Bergamini shares how he built a resilient, multi-hyphenate career spanning Broadway pits, international touring, best-selling drum books, and more than 35 years of private teaching. We talk about confidence, nerves, community, curriculum, mentorship, the realities of gigging, and Joe’s “three-legged stool” model for a sustainable life in music.  T...

Today I’m talking with Josh Gillis, founder of Catfish Alley Studio in Columbus, Mississippi. Josh is one of the kindest, most curious, and most future-leaning educators in the Fons community. He’s building a modern, community-centered music studio that blends interest-based teaching, student experiences, founder-led marketing, and emerging technologies. We explore Josh’s journey from teaching in...

How do you stay joyful and grounded when you’re teaching, performing, and leading at a high level? In this episode, Eric talks with Kevin Chance, President of MTNA and Associate Professor of Piano at the University of Alabama about presence, purpose, and the realities of a life in music. Kevin shares stories from his recent sabbatical in Chile, his upbringing in Alabama, and the mentors who shaped...

Marketing mentor, voice teacher, and choral director Allie Tyler joins Eric Branner to explore how to grow a creative business without losing your joy. From running The Voicepreneur Program to directing a non-audition community choir in the mountains of Colorado, Allie shares hard-won wisdom about seasonality, courage, intuition, and loving yourself through every phase of entrepreneurship. A must-...

In this solo episode, Eric shares three vivid mentor stories. Pete (artist–entrepreneur), Terry (the open-hearted teacher), and Bryce (the student who became a guide) to unpack what mentorship is, how it shows up, and why becoming both mentee & mentor creates a virtuous cycle in our lives. You’ll hear practical ways to recognize mentors, cultivate intergenerational relationships, and know when...

Guitar teacher and Heartwoodguitar.com founder Rob Hampton joins Eric to share how a simple shift in mindset changed his life and career. Rob talks about The Jam , his all-day student concert that’s anything but a recital, and opens up about pricing, burnout, authenticity, and what it means to build a teaching life you love. Whether you’re a music teacher, coach, or creative entrepreneur, this epi...

How do we make arts education thrive in a world that’s changing faster than ever? Eric interviews Angelica Cortez, Executive Director of the Suzuki Association of the Americas. She shares how curiosity is a leadership tool, the power of music to keep us human, and what it really means to serve teachers, students, and communities with intention. They trace Angelica’s journey from trumpet player to...

How do you build a creative career that’s sustainable and joyful? In this episode, pianist, vocalist, composer, and educator Brenda Earle Stokes joins Eric Branner to share practical lessons from her journey of balancing artistry, entrepreneurship, and education. After two decades in New York City, Brenda “downshifted” her life... moving home to Canada, redefining success, and finding renewed insp...

In this episode, Eric sits down with his longtime friend Dr. David Cutler... composer, author, and Distinguished Professor of Music Entrepreneurship and Innovation at the University of South Carolina. David is one of the world’s leading voices in arts entrepreneurship and the author of The Savvy Musician 2.0 , The Savvy Music Teacher , and The GAME of Innovation . Together they explore how musicia...

Pianist, educator, and conservatory director Rachel Ehring joins Eric to unpack the real career paths pianists can take beyond solo work. Rachel runs St. John’s Conservatory of the Arts and coaches pianists in collaborative skills through YouTube, workshops, and her online course Dynamic Accompanying . She shares how to find and land modern gigs, why sight-reading is a superpower, live-launch vs e...

Pianist, teacher, and entrepreneur David Chang shares his journey from discovering his teaching gift at 13 to building one of the most successful adult piano programs in the U.S. We dive into his unique methods for learning, his philosophy of “business as art, life as art, self as art,” and how mindset and creativity fuel a joyful, impactful business. Learn more about David's work here Thumbt...

 In this episode, Eric sits down with musician, pedagogue, and music business strategist Kelly Riordan, co-founder of Outside the Bachs . Kelly helps teachers design profitable studios, attract students through organic marketing, and refine their operations to run smoothly. She shares insights on setting and sticking to policies, identifying your ideal student, building community over competition,...

Seattle-based saxophonist, composer, and teaching artist Steve Treseler joins Eric to explore the building blocks of a joyful and long-lasting career in music. Steve shares how he designed a portfolio life as a performer, educator, and author…while keeping his enthusiasm and curiosity intact. In this conversation, Steve shares his approach to micro-entrepreneurship, why showing up and adding value...

In this episode of The Fourforty, Eric sits down with Davis Dorrough, Piano Editor at Alfred Music. Davis is a third-generation pianist, teacher, and composer. He brings creativity to every corner of his work, whether that’s polishing new piano publications, scouting talent, or teaching students in his own studio. Davis shares his inspiring journey from growing up in a family of pianists to landin...

In this solo episode, host Eric Branner shares why The Fourforty Podcast exists and what musicians and teachers can expect each week. Learn why every musician is an entrepreneur, and how embracing business skills alongside artistry allows us to build thriving careers and stronger communities.  🌊 Connect with us: Join a supportive community for teachers & creatives at the Fons Family Facebook...

In this short trailer, I’ll share the vision behind The Fourforty... why it exists, who it’s for, and what you can expect each week. The Fourforty is built on the belief that music teachers, artists, and creatives can, and should make great livings. Join me as we explore the business of teaching music with stories and strategies to help you build a creative, sustainable, and impactful life in musi...