4 answers
Kole
Student
Tigerton, Wisconsin
1
Question
Updated
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As a Hispanic male, how is my future secured upon completion of post-secondary school? What viable- and liveable- options am I presented with if my first career choice as a Vocalist fails?
I would like to attend a four-year university in pursuit of musical engineering, song-writing, and vocal performance in hopes of becoming a Musical Soloist/Artist.
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4 answers
Ashley Faus
Marketing
3
Answers
Mountain View, California
Updated
Ashley’s Answer
I started college as a musical theater major, thinking that I wanted to pursue a career in performing arts. I had a medical issue with my vocal chords and I realized that I wasn't going to be able to make a career out of performing.
I ended up in a career in marketing, and I love it!
The skills of stepping into the audience's shoes, public speaking, communicating clearly, etc. transfer nicely from performing arts to marketing. I did get a degree in marketing, but I find that a lot of folks in marketing have a background in performing arts.
If you want to stay in the music industry, you can look at producing, sound mixing, PR/marketing, artist agent, background musician, etc.
I ended up in a career in marketing, and I love it!
The skills of stepping into the audience's shoes, public speaking, communicating clearly, etc. transfer nicely from performing arts to marketing. I did get a degree in marketing, but I find that a lot of folks in marketing have a background in performing arts.
If you want to stay in the music industry, you can look at producing, sound mixing, PR/marketing, artist agent, background musician, etc.
Amy Sarno
Manager, Philanthropy & Volunteerism
26
Answers
Corning, New York
Updated
Amy’s Answer
Hi! I have degrees in both Music Education and Music Performance and currently work in Corporate Social Responsibility. Music can be an all-consuming major, requiring significant time and dedication. It may be helpful to think about what a successful career looks like to you.
Strategic Planning: When you start your degree, use general education courses to explore other areas of interest that complement your music goals or be open to other career paths. For example, courses in business, marketing, or communications can be highly beneficial in the music industry, whether you're promoting yourself as an artist or working behind the scenes. These fields also provide viable career options outside of music.
Transferable Skills in Music: As a musician, you'll develop skills like creativity, discipline, teamwork, and attention to detail. These are highly transferable and can serve you well in other fields, such as teaching, event planning, public relations, or corporate roles.
Backup Career Options: If your first choice as a soloist doesn't work out, here are some livable and viable options to consider:
Networking and Mentorship: Build relationships with professors, industry professionals, and peers during your studies. These connections can lead to opportunities and guidance, whether you're pursuing performance or considering other options. Take advantage of the opportunities your institution provides: Perform in, or audit, masterclasses to get a sense of what successful artists are doing and their general advice for success. Take advantage of workshops and attend recitals and other performances.
Strategic Planning: When you start your degree, use general education courses to explore other areas of interest that complement your music goals or be open to other career paths. For example, courses in business, marketing, or communications can be highly beneficial in the music industry, whether you're promoting yourself as an artist or working behind the scenes. These fields also provide viable career options outside of music.
Transferable Skills in Music: As a musician, you'll develop skills like creativity, discipline, teamwork, and attention to detail. These are highly transferable and can serve you well in other fields, such as teaching, event planning, public relations, or corporate roles.
Backup Career Options: If your first choice as a soloist doesn't work out, here are some livable and viable options to consider:
Networking and Mentorship: Build relationships with professors, industry professionals, and peers during your studies. These connections can lead to opportunities and guidance, whether you're pursuing performance or considering other options. Take advantage of the opportunities your institution provides: Perform in, or audit, masterclasses to get a sense of what successful artists are doing and their general advice for success. Take advantage of workshops and attend recitals and other performances.
Toasty Productionz
Music production/managing,promotion manager Owner of Label ToastyProductionz
1
Answer
Fort Smith, Arkansas
Updated
Toasty’s Answer
Keep in mind. My advice is probably different than most. I have a set of beliefs I go off of solely out of life experience. So take what i advise how you feel you should, if you have the drive. And the fire in you to motivate you down this path. Then you have the one key that can get you to your goal eventually already
I have no degrees. I got my GED a year before graduating high school.
I’ve had a rough upbringing teaching me to fend for myself.
I have this drive that burns brighter than my goals. It keeps me pushing to get to these milestones that feel out of reach.
One day I decided I’d manage a rapper buddy of mine. His producer cancelled but I said no. I got a laptop out and downloaded a software to produce and master.
Before I realize it. I’m recording. Mastering. Producing. Making beats. Managing and marketing this rapper. I have became every piece of the puzzle. I realized that everything is so able. If you know what to do. And the efficient way to do so. That’s where people like me can come in and teach u lessons that I went through a lot to obtain.
With no degrees or teaching. I developed an entire artists profile for myself. Became a DJ. Had merchandise. A website. Music on YouTube and all social platforms. I am about to start performing at festivals. My biggest goal. I did this in a month. And not cuz I’m egotistical and full of myself. But because I found the correct steps to take to achieve the goals I aspired to achieve. That’s what the saying means. When you put ur mind to something. You can achieve anything you desire within reason. You got this!
I have no degrees. I got my GED a year before graduating high school.
I’ve had a rough upbringing teaching me to fend for myself.
I have this drive that burns brighter than my goals. It keeps me pushing to get to these milestones that feel out of reach.
One day I decided I’d manage a rapper buddy of mine. His producer cancelled but I said no. I got a laptop out and downloaded a software to produce and master.
Before I realize it. I’m recording. Mastering. Producing. Making beats. Managing and marketing this rapper. I have became every piece of the puzzle. I realized that everything is so able. If you know what to do. And the efficient way to do so. That’s where people like me can come in and teach u lessons that I went through a lot to obtain.
With no degrees or teaching. I developed an entire artists profile for myself. Became a DJ. Had merchandise. A website. Music on YouTube and all social platforms. I am about to start performing at festivals. My biggest goal. I did this in a month. And not cuz I’m egotistical and full of myself. But because I found the correct steps to take to achieve the goals I aspired to achieve. That’s what the saying means. When you put ur mind to something. You can achieve anything you desire within reason. You got this!
Rudy C
Recording Artist and Sound Designer
1
Answer
Los Angeles, California
Updated
Rudy’s Answer
I went to college and studied music production as a vocalist. Pursuing music as a vocalist can be very challenging in these current times. However, it is possible and attainable but it requires a tremendous amount of work to be successful. To favor your odds of being successful you must expand your skill set as much as possible. You must be disciplined and practice as much as possible. A vocalist to me is like an athlete that must train but also rest and take care of oneself for best performance. A lot of my colleagues worked and studied during their vocal program. So having a plan b and c is always good to have. Creating gigs or working a normal job is a common practice to sustain yourself in this profession. Even if you’re still learning create a portfolio of your auditions, gigs and performances for future references. Network as much as possible and create good relationships with peers. You never know where the opportunity may present itself so it’s always good to be ready and have good connections established. Sometimes you may have to do small gigs like singing at restaurants or birthday events. Even if it’s small it is valuable experience. Keep video records of performances as this will help you see where you need to improve. Expand your skill set by learning an instrument, learn to record and produce your own music if possible. Learn as many different languages as possible as that may help open more gigs for you. Taking acting classes may also help you. Learning about social media marketing can also help you reach more people if you decide to keep a public artist profile. I would highly recommend having your own artist profile so you can start building a brand or followers. Going to a university to pursue a degree as a vocalist isn’t easy. Take classes that will complement your career. Once you graduate your future is not secured. You must continue networking and expanding your skill sets. There’s opportunities as recording vocalists, backup singers, singing in a band and voice actors. The best opportunity you can give yourself is creating your own art, your own gigs, your own lyrics or music. Now that AI music is beginning to take form things may get a bit complicated. However, understand that AI machines can’t sing with emotion and heart like humans. As long as you learn to sing with heart, emotion and good interpretation you can still have great opportunities presented to you but you must go out and find them or create them for yourself.