Curating a sustainable career as a musician today requires a willingness to learn many skills outside of the music field. While my main vocation is music, this profession requires many other skills to promote and sustain my career. I am an enthusiastic social media self-marketer and that has opened up paths to work with and learn from with marketing pros. With my position in the Wisconsin Chamber Orchestra, I worked alongside Chief Marketing Officer, Suz Brewer. Suz is responsible for many large companies' successful ad campaigns such as Duluth Trading Company, Lands' End and EatStreet. I know Suz personally and she would be a willing mentor for my work with the Life Coach School.
I have not only performed with major recording artists such as Josh Groban, Trans-Siberian Orchestra and Evanescence, but also for these shows, I have assumed various roles of brick and mortar office jobs. I have been personnel manager that hires appropriate musicians according to the needs of the artist. I have worked out budgets, managed payroll by working closely with the main contractor. As a cello section player and ultimately a section leader, I have learned the importance of being a team player and the need for effective leadership. It is integral to the whole orchestra shares the vision of the music and how to best achieve it. When I was promoted to principal cellist, I learned the most effective way to help my "cello team" stay focused on that goal.
As a wedding music contractor and a private music instructor, I have learned the ropes of Public Relations, by working with parents and families of my cello students. I have developed social media marketing skills, by helping produce online promotion for the music schools and orchestras I have worked with. I have also managed payroll by working on budgets and constructing payments accordingly. As a performer, I am very comfortable in front of an audience (understatement...I LOVE being on stage)! For many concerts, I speak about the works we are performing in order to engage listeners on many levels. I believe I have a knack for engaging people and drawing them into what I have produced on stage or online.
I have been following Brooke Castillo for many years and have been effectively absorbing her philosophy. I am certain that what I have gained from her Life Coach School podcast has worked its way into my own beliefs and in turn, improved the quality of my work and of my life!