What you'll hear:  The delicate dance of raising money and writing grants -  The income story - what everyone wants to know about self-founded ensembles Band Mindset vs. Business Mindset: Navigating the transition to making the ensemble a business The surprising things about grant writing and the learning curves involved Managing their own finances… and what they learned from their mistakes  To learn more about JACK and their projects, check them out at their website: http://jackquartet.com/ SIGN UP for the Crushing Classical mailing list and never miss a beat! I'll only send podcast and Crushing Classical news, never spam, and I would NEVER share your email. Sign up now and receive the free PDF download, Three Ways Becoming Visible Can Revolutionize Your Music Career: https://mailchi.mp/809d9dfaa1e3/crushingclassical I want to thank Ficks Music for sponsoring Crushing Classical. When you’re looking for high quality sheet music, look no further than FICKS!  https://www.ficksmusic.com/discount/CRUSH Use the link above to get 10% off your first order! A HUGE thanks to Gaby Castro of Fourplay Clarinet and composer of the NEW Crushing Classical theme music! Check her out at @fourplayclarinet on Facebook and Instagram!

John Pickford Richards, JACK Quartet: From Band Mindset To Business Mindset: Taking Your Ensemble To The Next Level

Crushing Classical is a series of interviews with classical musicians who are forging unique paths with their talent, creating their own artistic fulfillment and financial comfort, and finding ways to thrive.  I celebrate these brave people who are taking routes outside of traditional orchestral or academic employment! As always, I invite you to listen for your own sparks and breadcrumbs, and use these interviews to find the possibilities that exist in your own life.

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Stepping into today’s conversation with Chad Lawson, I had a loose idea of what we’d be talking about, but the actual conversation was surprising - genuine, soulful, and simultaneously grounded in the practicality of making money as a performer and recording artist.  We explored the tension between what you COULD do, and what you maybe WANT to do, and what your audience loves you for.  Where is the line, for an artist, between being of service, creating works for a specific audience, and being an innovator seeking  artistically fulfillment?  It’s such a important  question, one I’ve wrestled with as well, one that Seth Godin writes on over and over - and this conversation was a joy the whole way through. World-renowned pianist Chad Lawson is known for exploring the intersection between music and wellness with chart-topping contemporary classical releases (over 1B streams to date), and his iHeart Radio Award-nominated podcast Calm It Down (over 5M downloads to date), which explores mental health topics and meditation techniques soundtracked by Chad’s music. He is also a certified breathing expert. New album, 'Where We Are', out on July 19 via Decca Records US, a collection of original solo piano works inspired by messages from his fans about how his music has affected their lives. Chad has become one of the most streamed classical artists today (700M streams on his last two albums alone), not just on the merit of his music, but by intersecting his music with his wellness and breathwork expertise, with the overall goal of healing people and helping them through difficult and stressful times. You can find and follow Chad at his website, Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.  The book he references:  Make Art, Make Money, by Elizabeth Hyde Stevens Thanks for joining me on Crushing Classical!  Theme music and audio editing by DreamVance. You can join my email list HERE, so you never miss an episode! I help people to lean into their creative careers and start or grow their income streams. You can read more or hop onto a short discovery call from my website. I'm your host, Jennet Ingle. I love you all. Stay safe out there!      

Chad Lawson: Where We Are

In today's minisode I discuss my FLOW program. This might be interesting:  For private music teachers who wonder what might be possible For online program creators who want to improve retention For oboists who wish it could be EASIER and more fun    Thanks for joining me on Crushing Classical!  I would love to talk with you! This month, my calendar is especially open for adult oboists seeking support and community. (I have at this moment exactly one slot left in FLOW.) Theme music by DreamVance. I'm your host, Jennet Ingle. I love you all. Stay safe out there!

Happiest Musician Minisode: FLOW

I had always assumed that piano keyboards were standardized and unchangeable. That it was our job as musicians to adapt to the instrument, rather than making it adapt to us. I'm delighted to find that I was mistaken!  Pianist, vocalist, composer, singer-songwriter, actor, and entrepreneur, Hannah Reimann began her career as a concert pianist with a pedagogical lineage that traces back through generations to Beethoven via her teachers, German Diez, Arminda Canteros, Kenneth Cooper etc. and a touring history with violist Paul Coletti with whom she performed together with internationally in the 1990s and early 2000s. She is currently completing both a solo piano album of new music and a pop EP of original songs. Her show, Both Sides Now, The Music of Joni Mitchell, has been heard in four states for the past 12 years. She has led a multi-genre life since she was a teen, singing in bands, playing Beethoven Sonatas and Mozart Concertos, and competing in a piano competition. In 1997, Hannah independently rebuilt her Steinway piano to better accommodate her hand size. Her success with the instrument has made her the face of the stretto piano as a producer of concerts. Ms. Reimann was featured on the front page of the Wall Street Journal as a “musician on a mission to make the world safe for small pianists.” For more than 30 years, her goal has been to influence piano manufacturers worldwide to offer narrow-key pianos (which we now generically call “stretto”) and to produce concerts with them everywhere. She created the nonprofit Stretto Piano Events in 2024 after founding the festival and concert series in 2021.   Read more at the website, instagram, Facebook, or see the concert schedule online. You can donate to Hannah's initiative HERE.    Thanks for joining me on Crushing Classical!  Theme music and audio editing by DreamVance. You can join my email list HERE, so you never miss an episode! I help people to lean into their creative careers and start or grow their income streams.  You can read more or hop onto a short discovery call from my website. I'm your host, Jennet Ingle. I love you all. Stay safe out there!    

Hannah Reimann: Stretto Pianos

Ask Me Anything! This live zoom event with two musical entrepreneurs took place on May 9, 2024.  We discussed:  Creating online content, including video and podcasts, with tips on basic equipment needed Preparing students for performances and educating parents Finding a niche audience through visibility and outreach Time management and prioritization for musicians preparing for auditions Teaching piano, group lessons, and rental spaces Authenticity for musicians and small business owners    Ashley Danyew is at Musician & Co.  Check out her book club offer! I'm your host, Jennet Ingle.   I help people to lean into their creative careers and start or grow their income streams. You can read more or hop onto a short discovery call from my website.   Thanks for joining me on Crushing Classical!  Theme music by DreamVance.  

Live AMA with Ashley Danyew

Intrigued?  This is a topic that's come up recently with my clients and in our live zoom event - and while I'm not offering productivity hacks this week, this idea might be something even better! The book I reference is Essentialism, by Greg McKeown   Make sure you SUBSCRIBE to Crushing Classical, and maybe even leave a nice review!  Thanks for joining me on Crushing Classical!  Theme music by DreamVance. You can join my email list HERE, so you never miss an episode! I help people to lean into their creative careers and start or grow their income streams. You can read more or hop onto a short discovery call from my website. I'm your host, Jennet Ingle. I love you all. Stay safe out there!

John Pickford Richards, JACK Quartet: From Band Mindset To Business Mindset: Taking Your Ensemble To The Next Level

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