Episodes
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Today's guest, Susan de Weger, is an internationally renowned change agent in music education and is on a mission to revitalize music training to better prepare music students for careers in the 21st century.
Currently the Associate Lecturer in Music Entrepreneurship at the Melbourne Conservatorium of Music, she helps students identify their strengths, define personal success, and prepare for their next step.
In this conversation, we talk about
Why student creativity isn't always valued by schools and teachers (but should be) How and why to test your assumptions about what success means to you Why it's important to hire faculty from diverse backgrounds What she learned after failing her final degree recital And how creative thinking can map across all kinds of disciplines -
Bob Lord is a producer, composer, bassist, and CEO of PARMA Recordings with more than 150 credits as a producer, executive producer, performer, label manager, and composer to his name. He also co-founded the award-winning touring and experimental rock trio Dreadnaught in 1996. Tune in to this episode as we dig deep into the business side of the recording industry. We talk about: Why it’s so important to build positive relationships with the people you work with Tips for starting a successful recording project How he started PARMA Recordings and how they educate artists to not get taken advantage of Why staying in control of your own career is so important How to determine if you’re ready to be the artistic director of your own career How to improve your mindset about money
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Missing episodes?
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Denise Tryon is the Horn Professor of Peabody Conservatory in Baltimore and, until last year, was fourth horn of the Philadelphia Orchestra (2009-2017).
What lead her away from performing fulltime in a coveted orchestra position? Tune in to find out!
You'll also learn:
How she fell in love with playing low horn even while others looked down on her decision What it means to take control of your life (and why doing so can make a huge difference in auditions) How she started "Audition Mode" with Karl Pituch to help musicians be more successful when taking auditions How she's able to teach horn players all over the world without needing to leave her home, and Why she took an octopus to be her personal logo!Learn more at www.denisetryon.com
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Michelle Lewis is an American singer-songwriter who has written songs for everything from award-winning kids shows to Cher, including the worldwide #1 single “Wings” by the British girl group Little Mix.
She's been part of the professional music scene since she took her first gig at 3 years old and, more recently, has become an advocate for the rights of songwriters.
In this episode we dive deep into the commercial side of the music industry. We discuss:
How she landed and continued to write 5 seasons of the hit show Doc McStuffins How pop songs are actually made How streaming has changed everything about the popular music model, especially for songwriters Why she founded Songwriters of North America (and why they sued the Department of Justice) Tips for protecting yourself from getting taken advantage of as an artist -
Do you ever feel like your career path zigzags more than it should, or that you aren’t even entirely sure where it’s leading you?
If so, that’s okay—and you definitely aren’t alone!
As a musician, you are your own small business. And it can be difficult to pinpoint EXACTLY what kind of business you want to be—even when you’re in the middle of it!
In this episode, I’m joined by James Newcomb, host of the MusicPreneur Podcast and founder of MusicPreneur.com.
James shares valuable insights into how he accepts the zigzag nature of his path—and how that approach has positively impacted his business.
You’ll learn:
James’s simple but powerful definition of entrepreneurship as it applies to musicians The concept of entrepreneurial paths as an alternative to being competitive How niching down helps you build authority as an expert How to develop healthier relationship with money___
James Newcomb's mission is to help musicians discover the good in both music and commerce in order to create music that reflects their true self and generate revenue to not only take care of themselves and those who depend on them for sustenance, but to build real wealth. That is what moves society in a forward direction. -
Garrett Hope does it all. He’s a composer, a career coach, the owner of a piano tuning company, a guest speaker, an educator, and host of The Portfolio Composer podcast.
In this episode, Garrett tells us what it’s really like working in academia and how to find the right audience for YOUR music.
We also discuss:
The importance of self-promotion and branding to create a thriving career Ways we can get our music into the hands of the right people (and how to find those people) Why developing a portfolio career is so important and tips on managing it What he’s learned from interviewing more than 150 successful musicians on his podcast (iCadenza was featured in episodes 74 and 161 if you want to check them out!)Garrett has taught composition, music theory, music technology, and ear training as adjunct faculty at several institutions, but after completing his DMA Garrett taught as a Visiting Assistant Professor in Pennsylvania. Returning to Lincoln after teaching in PA has allowed Garrett to focus on composing new music for film, dance, choir, and band; coach and mentor composers building careers in composition; teach as adjunct at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln; and to teach guitar, bass, composition, theory, and piano at Harris Academy of the Arts. He loves working with dancers, artists, scientists, film makers, and music teachers.
More at http://theportfoliocomposer.com/
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Few of us associate positive emotions with the idea of setting our music aside and connecting with our audience using just our words. What do we say? How should we say it?
In this episode, we get advice from the incredible Debbie Devine, an award-winning theatre director and teacher who’s served as Director of the Drama Department at the Colburn School’s Community School of Performing Arts for over 30 years.
She shares actionable advice we can try for ourselves like:
Thinking of language as a partner to engage our listeners even more Making one change in our mindset to put ourselves (and our audience) more at ease Ways to persevere through the learning process – especially when just starting outDon’t make the mistake of thinking your music, your services, or your art form can speak for themselves! As we learn from Debbie, we each have so much to offer our audience and our field in addition to our music. Don’t miss this one!
Learn more at https://icadenza.com
Debbie Devine has been an award-winning theatre director, teacher, and a respected leader in the field of Arts Education for over three decades. She has also been the Director of the Drama Department at the Colburn School’s Community School of Performing Arts for over 30 years. She is a theatrical director with the Los Angeles Philharmonic, where she is honored to have directed shows in beautiful Walt Disney Concert Hall and the historic Hollywood Bowl. Debbie is co-founder and Artistic Director of LA’s 24th STreet Theatre, which has created award-winning professional theatre and model Arts Education programs for thousands of students and teachers since 1997.
Debbie also coaches musicians and conductors. Her Presentational Speaking Skills class has been utilized by the Los Angeles Philharmonic, Seattle Symphony, Pacific Symphony, Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra, Hollywood Bowl Orchestra, and numerous individual artists. Her emphasis is on personal connection to the audience and the power of the voice as an instrument of communication.
More about Debbie at: https://www.colburnschool.edu/faculty-listing/deborah-devine/
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I’m so excited to share this conversation with composer Dale Trumbore! Dale has been called “a rising star among modern choral composers” (AXS), and her music has been praised for its “soaring melodies and beguiling harmonies” (The New York Times).
She also is a wonderfully thoughtful person who packed a TON of awesome insights into this episode, especially for those of us doing full-time creative work.
She shares:
Tips about balancing work and your wellbeing to avoid burnout Ways to switch up your process to launch over your stumbling blocks Simple yet effective ideas on how to tap into your existing network to find new opportunitiesDale has written extensively about overcoming creative blocks and establishing a career in music in essays for 21CM, Cantate Magazine, the Center for New Music, MusicSpoke, and NewMusicBox, and she is currently at work on her first book.
Don’t miss this one!
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Trumbore's compositions have been performed widely in the United States and internationally by ensembles including the American Contemporary Music Ensemble (ACME), Inscape Chamber Orchestra, Los Angeles Master Chorale, Los Angeles Children's Chorus, The Master Chorale of Tampa Bay, and more. She has served as Composer in Residence for Nova Vocal Ensemble and as Artist in Residence at Brush Creek Foundation for the Arts, Copland House, Dorland Mountain Arts Colony, and the Helene Wurlitzer Foundation of New Mexico.
How to Go On: The Choral Works of Dale Trumbore, Choral Arts Initiative's album of Trumbore's choral works, debuted at #6 on Billboard's Traditional Classical Chart.
As a composer who works frequently with words, Trumbore is passionate about setting poems, prose and found text by living authors to music.
Trumbore holds a dual degree in Music Composition and English from the University of Maryland and a Master of Music degree in Composition from the University of Southern California, where she studied with Morten Lauridsen and Donald Crockett. A New Jersey native, Trumbore currently lives in Los Angeles, her home of nearly a decade, with her fiancé and their extremely helpful cat.
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Today I had the chance to talk with Scott Harrison, the Executive Director of the Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra, about fundraising, the art of differentiation, and the importance of collaborations.
He gives future (and current) arts administrators tips on how to approach fundraising so that it’s easier and more successful.
We also touch on how LACO differentiates themselves from similar arts organizations in the area like the LA Phil. His ideas are sure to inspire you to find the ways in which you or your business are different from your competitors'.
Lastly, we discuss the benefits of collaborating with other organizations and composers, and a host of other practical and inspiring topics!
The music in this episode features the Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra performing Concerto for 2 Violins in D minor, BWV 1043, by Johann Sebastian Bach.
Explore more episodes and useful articles at www.iCadenza.com
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Now in his third season, having joined LACO in October 2015, Scott Harrison has taken the organization to new heights. He has strengthened relationships with Center for the Art of Performance at UCLA, USC’s Thornton School of Music, Glendale Arts, the Nazarian Performing Arts Center, the Colburn School and others. As LACO celebrates its 50th anniversary in 2017-18, the Orchestra embarks on new series and musical initiatives in collaboration with Grand Performances, the Huntington Library, Inner City Youth Orchestra of Los Angeles and a growing roster of leading composers and artists, including LACO Creative Advisor Andrew Norman and 2017-18 Guest Artists-in-Residence Mahan Esfahani, Jennifer Koh and Sheku Kanneh-Mason.
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How do you know if you’re making the right decisions and moving your career in the right direction? If you're anything like most musicians, you’re probably experiencing no small amount of fear (and that’s ok).
I sat down with pianist Eunbi Kim to talk about her multi-disciplinary project Murakami Music and all the personal realizations that came with building it.
We dig deep into fear and vulnerability and how, if you listen to them reaalllly closely, they can often help you find what every creator searches for: Your most meaningful art and unique personal qualities.
We also discuss the art of finding (and working with!) the right collaborators for your projects to propel them to success. Plus, she gives us great out-of-the-box advice about how to connect with our project’s ideal, niche audience members.
Eunbi is such a genuine person and amazing artist—don’t miss this inspiring episode!
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In this episode, I had the great fortune to sit down with Reena Esmail, a composer who bridges the gap between Indian and Western classical music, for an inspiring talk around her goals, struggles, and current projects.
We dig into what it means to pour one's identity into one's art (and how terrifying that can be)
How making meaningful connections with the people around us can become our greatest support network And a simple way we can find encouragement from within when we start doubting ourselves.I'm also studying with Reena now so I'm SUPER excited to introduce her to all of you!
Visit us and check out our resources for growing your career at www.icadenza.com
About Reena
Indian-American composer Reena Esmail works between the worlds of Indian and Western classical music, and brings communities together through the creation of equitable musical spaces.
In recent seasons, Esmail has worked with the Kronos Quartet, Albany Symphony, River Oaks Chamber Orchestra, Salastina Music Society, SOLI, and American Composers Orchestra. Her work is performed regularly throughout the US and abroad, and has been programmed at Carnegie Hall, the Barbican Centre in London, Schloss Esterhazy in Hungary, and throughout India. She has served as Composer in Residence for Albany Symphony (2016-17), Street Symphony (2016-present) in downtown Los Angeles, Concerts on the Slope (2015-16) in Brooklyn, NY and the Pasadena Master Chorale (2014-16) in Pasadena, CA.
Learn more about Reena at www.reenaesmail.com
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Today’s guest, Jenny Bilfield, is a classically trained composer and pianist whose administrative career has taken her around the world. She is currently serving as the fourth President and CEO of Washington Performing Arts in Washington, D.C., and her story of how she got there is a wonderful mix of risk-taking, hard work, and determination.
Throughout her career, she’s built new programs and initiatives—not to mention an actual concert hall—to better serve her audience.
Some key takeaways from this episode:
Why collaborations are vital to the success of an organization (and you!) The one thing you must keep in mind if you want to be more effective Tips on how to identify the level of responsibility at which you’re most comfortable in your careerThe music in this episode features the third movement, “Stretch: Snap Back”, and the second movement, “Pure Happenchance”, from a New Orchestra of Washington (NOW) commission, Elastic Band, for Chamber Orchestra by Joel Phillip Friedman.
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Jenny Bilfield was appointed Washington Performing Arts’ fourth President and CEO in April 2013. Based in Washington, D.C., with performances and programs spanning the Capital region, Washington Performing Arts was founded in 1965. It thrives today as one of the nation’s preeminent multi-disciplinary arts presenters, especially notable for launching and nurturing innumerable performing artists, and sustaining high-impact arts education partnerships with the D.C. public schools and diplomatic community. In 2013, Washington Performing Arts was the first organization of its kind to receive the coveted National Medal of Arts (conferred by President Obama at the White House), as well as a Mayor’s Arts Award for Excellence in Service to the Arts, and most recently the Mayor’s Arts Award for Outstanding Contribution to Arts Education.
Early in her tenure, she was recognized among the “30 Key Influencers in the Arts: Movers and Shakers” by Musical America, honored by the Washington Chorus at its 2015 gala, and has twice been recognized (2013 and 2015) by Washingtonian Magazine as one of the “Most Powerful Women in Washington.”
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Today I had the opportunity to sit down with an old friend of mine from Stanford, Susan Lape.
Susan has gone on to do such amazing things in the field of arts administration and is currently the Executive Director of the Chicago Youth Symphony Orchestras.
The way she built her career and the advice she gives to new arts administrators make this episode valuable to anyone looking to broaden their “behind-the-scenes” skills.
We talk at length about the importance of solid mentor-mentee relationships, including how to set them up and how to be a good mentee.
Susan also shares stories that illuminate the importance of transparency and communication, especially when it comes to job interviews.
Don’t miss it!
This episode features Dvorak’s Carnival Overture and Conga del fuego by Arturo Marquez, both performed by the CYSO Symphony Orchestra.
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Susan Lape is Executive Director of the Chicago Youth Symphony Orchestras. She has built her career in arts management through positions with the Lake Forest Symphony, the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, the San Francisco Opera, and the Stanford Institute for Creativity and the Arts.
In 2016-2017, Susan was one of nine participants in the League of American Orchestra’s Emerging Leaders Program. ELP Participants are selected from a competitive national pool and demonstrate the potential to make significant contributions to their orchestra and to the field as a whole.
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This episode inspired us to rethink how we make and promote our art— and we hope it does the same for you!
Meet Jason Heath, longtime podcaster about all things bass.
During our conversation, we cover it all, including:
The pros and cons of starting your own podcast A surprisingly simple way to make yourself more interesting Effective ways to improve your interviewing skills How to overcome the fear of negative feedback (and the brilliant way Jason handles it when it happens)We also talk holistically about careers, balancing business goals with creative ones, and much, much more!
This episode features Valse Miniature by Serge Koussevitzky performed by Jason Heath and Benny’s Gig by Morton Gould featuring Jason Heath.
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Jason Heath is the host of Contrabass Conversations, a podcast devoted to exploring music and ideas associated with the double bass. His blog and podcast are highly regarded in the music world and have been featured as top offerings in the world of arts and culture for the past decade.
Learn more at http://doublebassblog.org/
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Christopher Tin, a Grammy Award-winning American composer of concert and media music, shares his personal insights into some of the biggest questions facing developing musicians, including:
How do I break into my niche? (Even ones as tough as the studio scene in L.A.!) How do I hold to my own artistic sensibilities while in school? Should my music be artistic or entertaining? Can it be both?Discover how Chris traces his big successes to choices he made early in his career, and get tips on how you can engineer your own successes, starting today. Hint: It won’t happen if you stay in the practice room all day!
Plus, hear an illustrative story about networking that landed him a mention on Twitter by Taylor Swift and got his name in publications like People Magazine.
This episode features “Baba Yetu” from Christopher’s album entitled Calling All Dawns, originally written as the theme for the video game Civilization IV and “Temen Oblak” from Christopher Tin’s album The Drop That Contained the Sea.
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This episode features the story of a conservatory-trained cellist who discovered a passion for filling a need in his community and becoming an entrepreneurial musician.
Get to know David Taylor, who shares his journey starting the Yorkshire Young Sinfonia, a youth orchestra in Northern England with the purpose of "creating the musicians of tomorrow, providing a springboard to a career in the arts, and stimulating the arts in Yorkshire.” David shares about how he got the idea to start this program, the challenges of being an entrepreneur, and how new ideas and technology can build audiences for classical music. -
What does it take to start a professional performing ensemble? How does an individual artist develop an organization that profoundly impacts their community?
In this episode, Jennifer speaks with Alex Blake, conductor and founder of Tonality, a professional choir in Los Angeles that aspires to “bring arts and culture to all members of the human family in the spirit of forging unity and compassion through song.”
Alex shares his journey, describing how he started Tonality, why this work is so important to him, and how crucial his community has been in the development of Tonality. You will learn how Alex overcame the financial challenges of starting a professional ensemble, find out how Alex learned to delegate, and discover Alex’s method for finding the support he needs.
This episode features Tonality performing “True Colors” arranged by Saunder Choi and “Silence My Soul” by Francisco Feliciano.
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Have you ever wanted to teach yourself a new instrument or musical skill but you’re not sure if it’s worth the effort?
In this episode, Jennifer is joined by Daniel Ho, a Grammy Award winning recording artist, producer, and instrument designer. As a self-taught multi-instrumentalist, Daniel discovered that by learning new skills, he could control the music creation and production process from beginning to end. He shares why he thinks that’s so valuable and what it’s like to work in a wide range of genres.
You will discover how Daniel “learned how to learn”, his unique approach to composition and the production process, and why he chose to become a generalist with numerous skills instead of a virtuoso specialist. Plus, Daniel shares his top advice for creating a thriving career in the arts.
This episode features “Na Pana Elua” from Daniel’s album entitled Aukahi and “Soaring on Dreams” from Daniel Ho and Tak Matsumoto’s recent album Electric Island, Acoustic Sea.
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What does it look like to be a professional composer?
Today on the show Kelly has an in-depth conversation with composer Julia Adolphe on her journey to becoming a full time composer. Julia did not study classical music until college, but quickly realized that classical music was her destiny. Now she lives in Los Angeles and is completing a DMA degree at USC.
You will learn about how to set up a website for composers, how a student in the Cornell Prison Education Program left an impact that still affects her mindset today, and what it’s like to work with the New York Philharmonic.
This episode features "Veil of Leaves" by the Serafin String Quartet and "Unearth, Release," premiered by the NY Philharmonic, Jaap Van Zweden conducting and Cynthia Phelps on viola.
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Do you love both pop and classical music but have always thought about the two genres as totally separate worlds? Today’s guest has found a way to combine pop and classical music in a mashup format and has a fulfilling career swimming between both worlds. Steve Hackman is a conductor, composer, arranger, producer, and songwriter. After being on track to becoming one of the world’s next great conductors, Steve decided to leave the classical world for a short period to discover his true self. You’ll hear about how Steve's experiences with The Other Guys college acapella group influenced his career, how to accept your journey’s twists and turns, and ideas for a new concert format. This episode features “Artist’s Life (Part Two)” by Stereo Hideout.
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