The other day a musician friend asked me this question – Can a freelancer take a sabbatical? I absolutely LOVED hearing this question and I have a lot of thoughts to share on this. My first question, though, is about the question itself. What makes you feel that you need permission or a special circumstance … Read more
Graduating from music school is scary. You’ve been in school for several years, playing six to eight hours a day. Then suddenly you have no more structure, no more weekly orchestra rehearsals, and your goal is to make a living at this craft that you’ve put A LOT of time and money into. Whether you’re … Read more
Musicians and performers tend to resist to putting their art into words. Often they say that their work speaks for itself. It’s understandable. Sometimes trying to sum up your artistry can leave you feeling like you’re not quite capturing the essence of what you do. And that’s the reason it’s so important to try. Afterall, … Read more
When I was a kid, if you had asked me about choosing a creative job, I would have told you I would be an Olympic figure skater. (At age 12, I realized that my fear of falling would absolutely preclude that outcome.) Over the next five years, I had absolute certainty that I would be … Read more
You did it! You survived the juries, competitions, high-stakes performances, strenuous practice hours, and maybe even comprehensive exams of music school. You have finely tuned skills that give you confidence on stage and behind the audition screen, and all the tools you’ll need to prepare for auditions. Surely an excellent job is just around the … Read more
Wondering if it’s time to give up your music career? This story will help. Noa Kageyama is without a doubt, one of the most inspiring voices in the classical music field. His website, The Bulletproof Musician, provides fascinating and helpful articles on performance and practice optimization that are both entertaining and scientifically grounded. We’ve long … Read more
Here at iCadenza, this has been a big year for us. We have much—and many—to be grateful for. We feel like we have created a dream job. Jennifer and I have both been extremely fortunate in that regard. We deeply believe in supporting artists and creative people everywhere to never settle, and instead to commit to … Read more