1 answer
Hannah
Student
Towson, Maryland
1
Question
Asked
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How to network as a musician in Graduate school?
This fall, I will be attending graduate school for musical performance. Fortunately, I will be a TA while learning, but I want to know how to network as a classical performer in school. I'd also love to teach private lessons while in school/after school.
#spring25
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1 answer
Amira Gadd
Songwriter, Sync Consultant
8
Answers
Laguna Hills
Updated
Amira’s Answer
Hello Hannah,
Great questions! First of all congratulations on attending graduate school and being TA. You've worked so hard to come where you are!
I LOVE networking. Because of networking, so many doors opened for me in the most unexpected way. Just like you I wasn't sure of how many "How"s. When I started volunteering at music events and conferences and also attending as members, I realized quickly how important networking is. The music industry thrives on networking, collaborating and connecting.
If you're asking how to network as a classical performer in school, as in: in your school that you are attending, then there are many ways to that. You can attend music clubs that are available and start networking from there. If there are Music events in the city your school is in, try to show up to them. Have digital or printed business cards available with QR codes that lead to them seeing what you do and what you are capable of. If your school does not have a music club of some sort, try to initiate one. It could be specifically for the classical niche or industry. If it's too hard and time consuming, then try to invite music students on campus to a networking picnic created by you (beach bon fire or whatever is available" and pass out and hang fliers where they can see the invitation. Everyone who has initiated those type of networking events ended up so successful and rooted for along the line.
If you're asking how to network as a classical performer in school, as in: while you are in school, then do the above PLUS attend events in person and online that are related to your genre and niche. Meaning, since you are classical, do you want to just perform and be part of an ensemble? Look for related events and be part of their group on Facebook and their community. Search up the names of professionals who speak or create and reach out to them via Linked in and any other social media.
Also, if you don't want to just perform, do you want to compose? If so, for film? Trailers? etc. Each niche has it's own group on Facebook and have their own events and webinars.
Examples of events can be found listed on Facebook Groups, Society of Composers and Lyricists (SCL), Guild of Music Supervisors (GMS), MONDO, Opera Houses, Berkeley, Academy of Music, Metropolitan etc...
If you haven't do so yet, please make sure the have the following available:
1- Working website link that looks professional and updated year
2- Professional photo
3- Professional Bio with an elevator pitch (short bio) available
4- Social media with link tree that shows your work etc.
5- EPK
Don't worry if you don't have them yet, start working on them one by one. If you can't afford it, you can rely on AI to type one up for you and just have a 1 page site with bio, picture and contact, then build it up a long the way with more experience. Visuals are so important and with the fast paced world, you need to give everyone a quick first impression. Also, you can also look at there professionals and mentors pages and observe how they present themselves in the classical world and choose your favorites then make it your own.
Good luck!
Great questions! First of all congratulations on attending graduate school and being TA. You've worked so hard to come where you are!
I LOVE networking. Because of networking, so many doors opened for me in the most unexpected way. Just like you I wasn't sure of how many "How"s. When I started volunteering at music events and conferences and also attending as members, I realized quickly how important networking is. The music industry thrives on networking, collaborating and connecting.
If you're asking how to network as a classical performer in school, as in: in your school that you are attending, then there are many ways to that. You can attend music clubs that are available and start networking from there. If there are Music events in the city your school is in, try to show up to them. Have digital or printed business cards available with QR codes that lead to them seeing what you do and what you are capable of. If your school does not have a music club of some sort, try to initiate one. It could be specifically for the classical niche or industry. If it's too hard and time consuming, then try to invite music students on campus to a networking picnic created by you (beach bon fire or whatever is available" and pass out and hang fliers where they can see the invitation. Everyone who has initiated those type of networking events ended up so successful and rooted for along the line.
If you're asking how to network as a classical performer in school, as in: while you are in school, then do the above PLUS attend events in person and online that are related to your genre and niche. Meaning, since you are classical, do you want to just perform and be part of an ensemble? Look for related events and be part of their group on Facebook and their community. Search up the names of professionals who speak or create and reach out to them via Linked in and any other social media.
Also, if you don't want to just perform, do you want to compose? If so, for film? Trailers? etc. Each niche has it's own group on Facebook and have their own events and webinars.
Examples of events can be found listed on Facebook Groups, Society of Composers and Lyricists (SCL), Guild of Music Supervisors (GMS), MONDO, Opera Houses, Berkeley, Academy of Music, Metropolitan etc...
If you haven't do so yet, please make sure the have the following available:
1- Working website link that looks professional and updated year
2- Professional photo
3- Professional Bio with an elevator pitch (short bio) available
4- Social media with link tree that shows your work etc.
5- EPK
Don't worry if you don't have them yet, start working on them one by one. If you can't afford it, you can rely on AI to type one up for you and just have a 1 page site with bio, picture and contact, then build it up a long the way with more experience. Visuals are so important and with the fast paced world, you need to give everyone a quick first impression. Also, you can also look at there professionals and mentors pages and observe how they present themselves in the classical world and choose your favorites then make it your own.
Good luck!