B4 The Stage

This episode of B4 The Stage features guest Rose Crelli, the Bay Area’s go-to violinist for hire, who shares how she built a thriving performance career outside the traditional orchestra path. We go behind the scenes of how a conservatory-trained violinist who grew up playing fiddle by ear in Alaska moved to San Francisco knowing just one person and went on to play 219 performances in a single year. Today, she performs electric violin covers of everything from R&B and hip hop to Bollywood for weddings, pro sports games, and clients like Google, Porsche, and OpenAI, and produces her own concerts and benefit events.What we talk about:- How Rose went from nannying and teaching in the park to booking weddings and corporate events through Clubhouse, Yelp, and social media- Why she edits her sets like a DJ and treats social media as a non-negotiable part of the job- Producing her own concerts and fundraisers, including pitching local news to get TV coverage- How she decides when an unpaid gig is worth it, plus the business basics every gigging musician needsIf you’re thinking about building a non-traditional performance career or producing your own shows, this episode offers practical insight and inspiration.Connect with Rose:Instagram: @frozenfiddleroseFollow B4 The Stage:Substack: b4thestage.substack.comInstagram: @b4thestageGrace’s Instagram (Host): @gracesviolinhttps://www.gracesviolin.com/podcastFind the podcast on YouTube and more!https://www.gracesviolin.com/podcasthttps://creators.spotify.com/pod/prof...Enjoy the episode?Subscribe for more conversations on creativity, career building, and the modern music industry.

Creating Your Own Path in Music with Sumina StuderThis episode of B4 The Stage features guest Sumina Studer, who shares what it really looks like to create your own path in music. We go behind the scenes of how she broke the mold in the classical world, choosing not to pursue a traditional violin performance career, instead building a multifaceted identity as a content creator, presenter, speaker, and entrepreneur. Today, she runs her own social media management business, Animus, helping musicians and creatives grow their digital presence.What talk about:- How Sumina shifted from a performance-first path to a diversified creative career- What pushed her to reimagine what a “successful” music career could look like- Building Animus and supporting artists through social media strategyIf you’re exploring your identity as a musician or navigating a career pivot, this episode offers practical insight and inspiration.Connect with Sumina:Website: suminastuder.comAnimus: animussocial.comYouTube + Socials: @suminastuderFollow B4 The Stage:Substack: b4thestage.substack.comInstagram: @b4thestageGrace’s Instagram (Host): @gracesviolinhttps://www.gracesviolin.com/podcastFind the podcast on YouTube and more! https://www.gracesviolin.com/podcasthttps://creators.spotify.com/pod/prof...Enjoy the episode?Subscribe for more conversations on creativity, career building, and the modern music industry.

Alright, where have I been? I paused the show for a couple of years here! But I’m back and ready to be creating once again. :) Tune into this show to go behind the scenes of my own life and what I’ve been up to while I’ve been gone! Also, I’m starting an email list. Be sure to join my Substack!

Find your host, Grace, on social media:

⁠Website⁠

⁠Youtube ⁠

follow on IG:

⁠@B4thestage⁠ + ⁠@gracesviolin⁠

Sophia Kannathasan studied at the University of Leeds. Sophia was also a member of the Chineke! Junior Orchestra. At the time of recording, during her journey to becoming a professional musician, she had been working outside London in Essex, working at a concert hall for an entire year while juggling her solo violin development.

In this episode, we talked about:

Find your host, Grace Lamb, on social media:

Website

Youtube 

follow on IG:

@B4thestage + @gracesviolin

If you have any questions or topics you would like covered on the show, please contact me at [email protected]

Internationally acclaimed violinist Timothy Chooi, (pronounced “Chewy”), continues to mesmerize global audiences with his electrifying performances and profound musical interpretations. Renowned for his passionate renditions and extensive repertoire, Chooi has cultivated a vast following, with millions of viewers captivated by his artistry both on stage and across digital platforms.

Timothy Chooi talks about his relationship with social media, working with managers, and finding new ways to promote your musical career. In this episode, we talked about: How to travel with an instrument working with a manager vs. by yourself. Personal finance tips for musicians, and promoting yourself online 

| RESOURCES |timothychooi.com

follow on IG:@B4thestage +@gracesviolin

Gina Luciani is a flutist and recording artist. Gina has a broad range of interests from branding, website building, and building good relationships. This episode of B4thestage explores the importance of creating opportunities for oneself. Gina's passion for film music goes back to her childhood and still lives in her today. In addition to being on 6 Oscar nominated films, Gina has performed with artists such as Kanye West, Ariana Grande, Carrie Underwood, Chance the Rapper, as well as recorded for various shows found on Netflix, including Arcane, and Cobra Kai.

In this episode, we talked about:

1. Gina's start with recording and path toward entering the industry
2. Important things to check when starting to record yourself
3. How her mindsets lead her to succeed
4. Networking as a musician

| RESOURCES |

Website

Instagram

Youtube 

Tiktok

Find your host, Grace Lamb, on social media:

Website

Youtube 

follow on IG:

@B4thestage + @gracesviolin

Podcast edited byGalle Studios

Nathan Chan currently is a content creator, and assistant principal cellist in the Seattle Symphony. Listen along as we hear about Nathan's aural explorations as a cellist in different genres and formats (recording, performing, etc), his thoughts on cello technique, as creating music beyond the stage through content creating.

In this episode, we talked about:

1. His journey towards entering the professional music world
2. The learning pacing he adopted for absorbing orchestral repertoire
3. Using recording as a tool to develop heightened listening skills
4. Relationships with social media and creation
   

Find your host, Grace Lamb, on social media:

Website

Youtube 

follow on IG:

@B4thestage + @gracesviolin

Podcast edited byGalle Studios

Kimberlee Dray is a performing musician who experienced hearing loss due to Ménière's disease. After studying music in college and switching to an English major, picking her violin back up became therapeutic and helpful for her condition. Listen to Kimberlee encourage being a doer, making a tribe for yourself, and serving others.

In this episode, we talked about:

1. Meniere's Disease

2. Self-marketing and management

3. Intentionality in choosing repertoire

4. Serving the donors

Find your host, Grace Lamb, on social media:

Website

Youtube 

follow on IG:

@B4thestage + @gracesviolin

Podcast edited byGalle Studios

John Zion has served as the Managing Director of MKI Artists since taking ownership of the firm in 2015. He oversees strategic planning and operations, and directs the careers of a prestigious roster of international artists. He serves on the board of Chamber Music America and has presented on arts-related issues at the Manhattan School of Music, the University at Buffalo, APAP|NYC, Chamber Music America’s National Conference, and the Avaloch Farm Music Institute. In 2012, he was named one of the “Rising Stars in the Performing Arts” by Musical America. John studied at Lawrence University and the Hartt School of Music; before coming to MKI Artists, he performed regularly as a violinist with orchestras throughout New England, taught public-school music, and toured Vietnam with his string quartet. In his free time, John enjoys cooking, reading, and traveling. 

|MENTIONED|
Website
Our Concerts 

Instagram 

Editing software

Find your host, Grace Lamb, on social media:

Website

Youtube 

follow on IG:

@B4thestage + @gracesviolin

Podcast edited byGalle Studios

Anne Sophie Beranger is a violinist and teacher based in London, UK. She spends most of her time as a music teacher in the primary phase (from nursery to age 11), as well as private teaching. She’s been also broadening her Instagram page in creating a series dedicated to sharing musical facts. This episode explores how her musical upbringing lead her to a career of teaching.

In this episode, we talked about:
1️⃣ How Sophie got started with teaching
2️⃣ What drives Sophie to teach music to young kids
3️⃣ Curating a series on instagram
4️⃣ Getting rid of her fears to then share her passions online

| MENTIONED |

Anne's Website

Instagram

Find your host, Grace Lamb, on social media:

Website

Youtube 

follow on IG:

@B4thestage + @gracesviolin

Podcast edited byGalle Studios