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...
Jan 25, 2019•1 hr 18 min
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 reject...
Jan 10, 2019•47 min
What you'll hear: Negotiating a job for yourself that may not be offered - the things Suzanne noticed that made it a “win-win” for everyone How her job gave her a *new* way of performing in addition to playing flute Unusual performing opportunities through radio stations that you may not have thought of yourself The enthusiasm that inherently exists in the public radio audience - and ways she contributes to them in live events A program that she has started to provide opportunities to Baroque mu...
Dec 20, 2018•53 min
What you'll hear: Real talk on how difficult AND JOYFUL it can be to start your own ensemble The classical musician dilemma: JOB SECURITY and how Patrick redefines it The importance in finding prestige and status through partnering with an established, well-known organization The importance of MATH (and the trade-offs) in figuring out when to say YES to gigs The key to developing an audience… a new way of thinking about it A great tip Patrick uses to bond and connect with someone in conversation...
Dec 06, 2018•1 hr 4 min
What you'll hear: A youth orchestra contributing to students’ music skills - and life skills. Hear how Kevin creates this learning opportunity The difference between the audience for a normal youth orchestra and a rock orchestra - and what that does for the students’ confidence The typical reaction from the classical community toward musicians who go into other genres - and how Kevin sees this point of view changing Starting a nonprofit - what Kevin did to speed up the process of launching his i...
Nov 15, 2018•39 min
What you'll hear: The importance of being proactive and speaking up for what you want in your career - no matter what your age. The value of going for a career in your youth - and not believing or listening to that “you’re too young” The value of *mentorship* and having a mentor you trust in the professional field you aim for guiding you in your next career move The mindset about success that Mike thinks everyone should drop like a hot potato There’s being in the right place - and PUTTING yourse...
Nov 01, 2018•48 min
What you'll hear: How to use artist residencies to travel and explore the world while exploring your own creativity How this duo created a remote lifestyle as a musical duo - saving money on rent, seeing the world and building a career all at once The motivation behind Chris and Nicoletta’s choice to opt for a non-traditional career… and the key component in your mindset necessary to do it What they do when they don’t have a residency on the calendar - this idea is so smart How they actually *bu...
Oct 18, 2018•50 min
What you'll hear: “Branding” and “Marketing” and what that all MEANS ANYWAY Why branding matters even to the Joe Schmoe Average Classical Musician. Hear a *real life* example of a musician and the platform they built using social media What building your online presence *actually* is - it’s pretty old school actually… The unfortunate truth about orchestras’ budgets where social media marketing is concerned… Groundbreaking ideas for marketing for arts organizations - and what it would take to imp...
Oct 04, 2018•51 min
What you'll hear: The experiment that led to more performing opportunities What classical music audiences are ACTUALLY craving - *hint* - it’s not what people think How growth can lead to hiring more help - and how help can help you grow: hear how Jacomo has been navigating a growing team and some great tips on accepting help REAL talk on the hard work of running your own orchestra day to day The unfortunate and REAL vibe classical music gives off… and his answer for the remedy TRUTH talk that E...
Sep 20, 2018•1 hr 2 min
Welcome back to Season 3 of Crushing Classical! I'm starting this season out with a highlights episode of some moments that really stood out in my mind in the last 2 years of Crushing Classical. It was hard to narrow it down to just a few - I chose excerpts from several episodes that stood out to me such as: - Good solid career and LIFE advice - Great money advice in a nutshell - Clips from musician founders about their ensemble model and the secret to great fundraising - The #1 trait or QUALITY...
Sep 06, 2018•51 min
What you'll hear: The commonly given advice she DID NOT take - and why that was the best decision she ever made What she learned from the start-up orchestras she worked with and how that shaped her vision for her own orchestra start-up The most important thing she looks at when choosing personnel for her orchestra - it’s actually *not* based entirely on how you play Her unique point of view on the MONEY conversation… asking for money and the role you have as a fundraiser in a founded group How h...
Jul 12, 2018•46 min
What you'll hear: How Sarah reverse-engineered the method of figuring out her career possibilities while still in college The notion that you’re selling out by doing covers or other genres? Sarah’s answer to that commonly held belief The excuse she hears often that DOES NOT fly in her book regarding networking… hear what she has to say about that Her career "funk" - even when she was "living the dream" - and what she did to get out of it The secret to great fundraising… hint… it’s old-fashioned ...
Jun 29, 2018•1 hr 5 min
What you'll hear on this episode: His NOT well-thought-out first plan, and the best tip he got about how to do it right the next time The advice he got that revolutionized how he ultimately set up this business side of his ensemble Why the RIGHT space for your concert is so important. How he reframes his mindset for the necessary - but less enjoyable tasks to keep himself working joyfully His recent collaboration and the crucial ingredient it contained for growth and success Learn more about Chr...
Jun 07, 2018•1 hr 16 min
What you'll hear: Starting your own concert series: where do you find the concept, adding your own touches The MOST important thing to consider and the FIRST place you should start when designing your concert series The fundraising dilemma - Laura’s plan for fundraising for the first season The importance of relationships and how they play a role in building a concert series The biggest challenge in NYC producing this concert series A unique promotional partnership opportunity with a big company...
May 24, 2018•53 min
What you'll hear: The fork in the road after music school - and the unusual choice Murray made after all those years studying music His personal story of tragedy, an unconventional method of deep healing and the way he figured out how to share it on a large scale His drastic career change after age 40 - and the bold steps he took to navigate the change The unconventional way he thinks about audience and what his concert-goers have to say about it … And much more Find out more about Murray Hidary...
May 03, 2018•1 hr 3 min
What you’ll hear: Drew tells the KEY to great Instagramming Find out what it takes to grow to over 160,000 followers His opinion on current social media marketing for orchestras - and what’s missing on those teams and his ideas for how they could change What he thinks is the reason people go to concerts… hint: it’s not only for the music What he understands that makes him understand this platform so well Find Drew on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thatviolakid/?hl=en For more about the Hol...
Apr 26, 2018•1 hr 12 min
What you'll hear: How Robert’s characteristic spirit - or ETHOS - guided him, and what people thought of that kind of thinking in music school How his “Plan B” after not getting into any summer festivals ended up showing him a whole other world The conversation that changed Robert’s point of view about his career in music How a DIY move toward the unknown changed the course of his career The realization he had about his career that applies to ALL careers - a very simple truth you have to hear. H...
Apr 16, 2018•52 min
What you'll hear: A great idea for keeping adult students excited and motivated to take lessons The seemingly obvious barriers that would stop anyone - solved in real time The true reason parents bail on programs for their kids. Hint: It’s not cost The secret to getting an audience right NOW - you’ll be surprised you didn’t think of it AND… The way to KEEP that audience. This one gets forgotten about all the time. Check out Margaret's program at https://www.facebook.com/hornsquad/ I want to than...
Mar 29, 2018•1 hr 9 min
What you’ll hear: The most important thing you need to succeed as a film composer What NOT to do when networking with film industry people His formula for getting work in the film music business (this formula is tried and true!) Specific tips on what and how to share your music when looking for work - keeping your AUDIENCE in mind (AKA the producers/directors/people that hire you) The big difference in contracts and unions between the US and other countries - how this causes work in the film rec...
Mar 15, 2018•1 hr 20 min
What you’ll hear: The epiphany Cliff had TWICE about his career that launched him in the direction of his career as an arranger The bold way he learned the ins-and-outs of the commercial music business Why you SHOULD NOT do what he did if you are interested in arranging for commercial music How the commercial music business has changed Two things you should do (and one thing you should NOT do) if you are thinking of diversifying the genres you play Mentioned on the episode: CONTACT CLIFF with an...
Feb 22, 2018•43 min
What you'll hear: - How and why Amir ultimately chose jazz over classical after studying both through college - What he did after college to seek out a specific sound he was craving... and it didn't even exist yet - The unique learning style that has been lost over generations, the human connection it creates and how this style greatly impacted his trumpet playing - What he realized about combining musical styles and what that actually means for the preservation and evolution of a musical tradit...
Feb 05, 2018•54 min
What you'll hear: - Why he turned down an offer to return for another season with New World Symphony, how he handled the criticism...and how it fueled a larger vision - The best way to hire and enroll the caliber of musicians you need to establish a top performing ensemble - How to turn an audience into true FANS in an orchestral setting (a key ingredient if you are fundraising) - The unusual approach he took to raise money for Nu Deco at the starting line ...and much more Check out the new revo...
Jan 18, 2018•1 hr 22 min
On the show today: - A significant difference between how the classical world and the business world approaches mentorship - What you need most in order to build an audience, make an impact and lead any endeavor you want to create or expand this year - The #1 reason why books, courses and programs you buy rarely cause any significant or lasting change for you ...and more Check out the amazing DRONE TUNER app for iOS on iTunes and iPhone: http://dronetunerapp.com/ Purchase here at the App Store: ...
Jan 14, 2018•1 hr 14 min
- The #1 question you need to ask (and answer) when you are first setting up a social media presence - How to identify your audience (Hint: your content should do TWO things at all times to ensure you actually HAVE an audience) - A conversation about naming whatever your thing is (and why it matters) - How to avoid reinventing the wheel when you are starting something new ...and much more Gaby's YouTube Channel and Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/musiciansprime/ https://www.youtube.com/c...
Jan 07, 2018•1 hr 21 min
- Why he wasn't sold on the traditional orchestra path and the ONE question he asked himself to know for sure (critical if you are considering an orchestral position) - The top 3 traits The Brass Project ensemble has that enabled them to start a group AND keep it going (if you want to start an ensemble, you don't want to miss this) - WHO you should choose to be in your ensemble (Hint: it's not "only the best players") - How they managed to get 32 commissioned works without breaking the bank (thi...
Jan 04, 2018•1 hr 8 min
What you'll hear: - What worked, what didn't and some important lessons from this year - The biggest game changer for Crushing Classical and how we capitalized on it - Where we got our best ideas from (and you should too!) - What propelled Tracy (and by extension Crushing Classical) forward this year ...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 t...
Dec 31, 2017•1 hr 2 min
- How deductions are changing in 2018 and what it means for you specifically - The biggest differences between the old and NEW rules for W2 wage earners - What is *actually* happening with health insurance premiums moving forward - Why you should strongly consider incorporating in 2018 ...and much more To contact David Bartasavich for your tax needs or to ask any questions, contact him here: http://www.bandrcpas.com/ david@bandrcpas.com I want to thank Ficks Music for sponsoring Crushing Classic...
Dec 24, 2017•1 hr 2 min
What you'll hear: - The unfortunate stigma and silence around injury and illness that currently exists in classical music - Why you actually ARE the most qualified person to start the thing you want to start (this will surprise you) - How losing an ability can be your greatest opportunity - The MOST important element to include in ANY money making venture you start today (everyone wants it) ...and so much more I want to thank Ficks Music for sponsoring Crushing Classical. When you’re looking for...
Dec 21, 2017•1 hr 21 min
- The risk you take when you say yes to everything in order to "gain experience" and "get your foot in the door" - How compliments and praise can seduce you into a career you never wanted - The myth that is "working your way up" - Why keeping up on technology and trends actually matters ...and more Mentioned in the podcast: Audition Mode: horn auditions workshop http://auditionmode.com/ I want to thank Ficks Music for sponsoring Crushing Classical. When you’re looking for high quality sheet musi...
Dec 17, 2017•58 min
What you'll hear: - The most immediate way to breathe new energy and life into your work, your playing and your projects - Why it's okay to want more than you have now AND admit that you're not totally satisfied with your career (especially if you're pretending you are) - The thing that will surprise you MOST about the classical musician community at large (that we've discovered through leading multiple challenges) ...and so much more Join the Starting Line Challenge! It starts Monday 12/11 http...
Dec 10, 2017•57 min
