It got me thinking about a mentality that’s helped me succeed post graduating. [Buckle in..]
How can I start a blog? How can I get better at recording? How do I open a business? How do & why would I open a 501c3?
They sought people, books, websites, or videos who had answers to those questions.
Fulfilled former music students were /unashamed/ of pursuing their curiosities. They did not have a voice telling them that their other interests were bad.
Here are a few examples I shared with the class.
Isabel opened for Amy Schumer at the Comedy Cellar not long ago.
Here he is with YouTube stars @KurtHSchneider and @SamuelTsui
They grew a following and kickstarted that following into performing around the world. And now they’re raking in that sweet, sweet YouTube $$$, just for making people laugh
My problem with music school is that it inserts shame into this equation.
My theory is that they think great art is only possible by ignoring any other skill.
Just foolish, shortsighted thinking.
The knowledge base that a music degree can give you has the potential to serve you in so many more ways than just a solo/orchestral/teaching career. Hell, you can even switch careers!!
1) The pinnacle of the career
2) The only “legitimate” option
This is so important I repeated it like 5x in my talk.
*I liked writing & classical music. I started a blog, and went viral once, and parlayed that into a job doing PR and copywriting @NationalSawdust, and eventually co-launching @thelogjournal newsletter, which I still co-write today.
It does not have to be one or the other.
It is not either a “full-time performance career” or “failure.”
Please internalize this.
It’s OK if you don’t practice that extra hour for your lesson if you’d rather be learning about editing YouTube videos.
It’s OK if you want to spend your summer as an intern instead of at a festival.
It’s okay.
But too many people have access to these opportunities and choose not to pursue them because of some idea of “artistic purity”.
It is those folks I’m talking to.
Want to make funny videos? Hit record.
Want to play music by female composers with dancers improvising in the audience? Make it happen.
And yes, you can still audition for orchestras.
It’s all valid.
I deliver more and charge less than any manager.
Email me at johnhongbusiness[at]gmail[dot]com with subject line BIO ASSISTANCE and let me know you’re from Twitter.
I’ve got you.