In this episode of Regarding Music, Eric speaks with Michael Clement, an American jazz pianist and composer, about being a generalist in the early stages of a music career, challenges in the music education space, and the need to adapt in the evolving landscape of the music industry. Michael shares his personal experiences transitioning from classical to jazz, the importance of developing multiple income streams, and the need for musicians to think more entrepreneurially about their careers.

In this episode, Eric Sheppard and Ben Nguyen, explore the world of music coaching and education. Ben shares his journey from a music student to a coach, emphasizing the importance of social connections in music. They discuss the challenges of building a music teaching roster, striking the right balance between building a business and realizing artistic fulfillment, and effective marketing strategies for music educators. The conversation also highlights the importance of mentorship, the qualities that make a great music teacher, and the power of word-of-mouth referrals in the music education space.

In this episode, Eric Sheppard speaks with jazz double bassist Will Lyle about his journey in music, the impact of social media can have on one’s musical career, and the importance of artistic finding fulfillment. Will shares insights on the necessity of honing one's craft, the evolving landscape of jazz education, and striking the right balance between creativity and business in creating music content.

In this episode, Eric Sheppard and Barry J. Neely, a California-based film composer, discuss film music composition, misconceptions about scoring, and the importance of collaboration and communication in the creative process. Barry shares his journey with film scoring, his experiences with directors, and the constant need to balance artistic vision and client needs. The conversation also touches on the impact of budget constraints and the rewarding moments of working in film music. Eric and Barry reflect on personal experiences, career choices, and the value of patience and consistency in achieving artistic goals.

In this episode of Regarding Music, Eric Sheppard speaks with Yosra Zekri, an opera and Arabic singer, who shares her inspiring journey from Tunisia to international opera stages. She discusses the challenges of pursuing opera, the importance of mentorship, and her experiences with auditions and collaborations.

In this Episode of Regarding Music, Eric Sheppard speaks with Logan Stokes, a bassoonist an content creator about his musical journey. The discussion focuses on the challenges of music education, the intricacies of reed making, and the impact of COVID-19 on musical engagement. Logan shares insights on content creation in the music space, emphasizing the importance of authenticity and building connection with audiences. The conversation also highlights the intricacies of storytelling for musicians, the importance of building a personal brand, and the balance between engagement and views in content creation.

In this episode, Eric Sheppard and Lee Litvin discuss the journey of becoming a self-producing artist, the importance of personal growth, and overcoming limiting beliefs. Lee shares his experiences in music production, emphasizing the need for emotional resilience and the significance of putting in the hours to gain confidence. Eric and Lee explore the balance between passion and market needs, the challenges of reinventing oneself as an artist, and the critical role of authenticity in building trust in the digital age.

In this Episode, Eric Sheppard speaks with Beth Tankersley, a conductor and music director based in Seattle. The discussion focuses on Beth's unexpected journey into conducting, the challenges she faced, the importance of mentorship, and the dynamics of leading a musical group. Beth shares her experiences transitioning from classical music to musical theater, emphasizing the need for engagement and energy in performances. They also explore the cultural differences between classical and musical theater settings, highlighting the unique challenges and rewards of each.

In this episode of Regarding Music, Eric Sheppard speaks with Katerina Panopoulou, an audio engineer, music producer, and business coach about the importance of business skills for musicians, the significance of understanding one's ideal client, and how perfectionism can impede the creative process.

In this episode, Eric Sheppard and Oli James, a UK-based music producer, discuss the role of a music producer, how the landscape of music production has evolved over the years, the increased accessibility of music production technology, the changing social perceptions of musicians, and the importance of soft skills in guiding artists through the creative process. Oli shares his journey from being an artist to becoming a producer, emphasizing the need for empathy and understanding in the producer-artist relationship.