How to Build a Sustainable Career in Music

Most musicians eventually find themselves doing things they never imagined.

I never thought I'd be writing grants, sending weekly newsletters, collaborating with chefs on musical events, managing a team, or tracking KPIs. Annie never expected to build an entrepreneurship program at a conservatory. Ted didn't imagine he'd be working in arts management or conducting opera.

Yet every one of those experiences has become part of a meaningful life in music.

The truth is, today's music careers rarely follow a straight line. They're built by combining your artistry with your unique skills, interests, and passions to create opportunities that didn't exist before.

That's how you serve your audience, strengthen your community, and build a career that's both creative and sustainable.

One of the most valuable skills you can develop isn't another scale or excerpt—it's learning to communicate your vision.

When you can clearly explain what you care about, you make it easier to earn funding, attract collaborators, build audiences, and bring meaningful projects to life.

That's exactly what Summer Practice: The Forge is designed to help you do.

Inside you'll explore practical ideas that music school rarely teaches, including:

• Why we avoid the decisions that matter most—and how to stop.
• How awe and curiosity unlock better creative work.
• The Daily Contact Rule: a simple habit for making consistent progress.
• How to collect evidence of growth instead of focusing on shortcomings.
• What actually happens in your mind and body during performance anxiety—and how to work with it.

You'll also learn directly from musicians and arts professionals who have built sustainable careers in multiple directions.

Live faculty sessions include:

• David Cook on writing cover letters that get noticed.
• Ted Nelson on creating authentic artist statements.
• Annie Phillips on building careers that didn't previously exist.
• Andrea Levine on preparing for auditions with confidence.
• Sam Rothstein on sustaining a long-term performing career.

Along the way, you'll be part of a supportive community through live gatherings, discussions, and a closing integration as summer transitions into autumn.

If you've been wondering how to build a career that's uniquely yours—not just the one you imagined years ago—this is your invitation to start forging it.

Register for Summer Practice: The Forge here.

-Ixi