How do you stay joyful and grounded when you’re teaching, performing, and leading at a high level?

In this episode, Eric talks with Kevin Chance, President of MTNA and Associate Professor of Piano at the University of Alabama about presence, purpose, and the realities of a life in music.

Kevin shares stories from his recent sabbatical in Chile, his upbringing in Alabama, and the mentors who shaped him. He shares wisdom and insights about performance anxiety, burnout, boundaries, and why he identifies first and foremost as a teacher.

You’ll walk away with fresh perspective on practice, performance, and what it really means to make a difference in your students’ lives every day. 

Learn more about Kevin's work here.

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Marketing mentor, voice teacher, and choral director Allie Tyler joins Eric Branner to explore how to grow a creative business without losing your joy. From running The Voicepreneur Program to directing a non-audition community choir in the mountains of Colorado, Allie shares hard-won wisdom about seasonality, courage, intuition, and loving yourself through every phase of entrepreneurship. A must-listen for teachers and creatives ready to build success that actually feels good.

Learn more about Allie's work here.

www.thevoicepreneur.com

Instagram The Whole Voice & The Voicepreneur

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In this solo episode, Eric shares three vivid mentor stories. Pete (artist–entrepreneur), Terry (the open-hearted teacher), and Bryce (the student who became a guide) to unpack what mentorship is, how it shows up, and why becoming both mentee & mentor creates a virtuous cycle in our lives. You’ll hear practical ways to recognize mentors, cultivate intergenerational relationships, and know when it’s your time to step up for someone else.

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Guitar teacher and Heartwoodguitar.com founder Rob Hampton joins Eric to share how a simple shift in mindset changed his life and career. Rob talks about The Jam, his all-day student concert that’s anything but a recital, and opens up about pricing, burnout, authenticity, and what it means to build a teaching life you love.

Whether you’re a music teacher, coach, or creative entrepreneur, this episode will help you re-evaluate what your time is worth...and inspire you to keep building with heart.

Learn more about Rob here.

www.heartwoodguitar.com

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How do we make arts education thrive in a world that’s changing faster than ever?

Eric interviews Angelica Cortez, Executive Director of the Suzuki Association of the Americas. She shares how curiosity is a leadership tool, the power of music to keep us human, and what it really means to serve teachers, students, and communities with intention. They trace Angelica’s journey from trumpet player to arts leader, discuss her work with YOLA and El Sistema USA, and look ahead at the role of AI, access, and collaboration in the future of music education.

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How do you build a creative career that’s sustainable and joyful?

In this episode, pianist, vocalist, composer, and educator Brenda Earle Stokes joins Eric Branner to share practical lessons from her journey of balancing artistry, entrepreneurship, and education. After two decades in New York City, Brenda “downshifted” her life... moving home to Canada, redefining success, and finding renewed inspiration in simplicity and structure.

You’ll learn how she built The Versatile Musician, a thriving 1,200-video membership, by focusing on process over perfection; how to apply an engineer’s mindset to teaching and creative systems; and how to stay curious, consistent, and courageous over the long haul.

Whether you’re a music teacher, entrepreneur, or creative professional, this conversation will help you design a career that works... and a life that feels aligned.

Learn more about Brenda on Instagram IG @brendaearlestokes and @pianoandvoicewithbrenda

And YouTube Piano and Voice With Brenda

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In this episode, Eric sits down with his longtime friend Dr. David Cutler... composer, author, and Distinguished Professor of Music Entrepreneurship and Innovation at the University of South Carolina. David is one of the world’s leading voices in arts entrepreneurship and the author of The Savvy Musician 2.0, The Savvy Music Teacher, and The GAME of Innovation. Together they explore how musicians and creatives can thrive by creating demand, defining distinct identities, innovating boldly, and reimagining what a sustainable creative career looks like. Packed with stories, strategies, and inspiration, this conversation is a masterclass for artists and entrepreneurs alike.

Learn more about David's work here. 

The Savvy Musician

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Pianist, educator, and conservatory director Rachel Ehring joins Eric to unpack the real career paths pianists can take beyond solo work. Rachel runs St. John’s Conservatory of the Arts and coaches pianists in collaborative skills through YouTube, workshops, and her online course Dynamic Accompanying. She shares how to find and land modern gigs, why sight-reading is a superpower, live-launch vs evergreen lessons learned, and the mindset to say yes… then figure it out. We also preview her new workshop, The Pianist’s Gig Map, designed to help pianists get paid work in 2025.

Learn about Rachel here.

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rachelehring/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@collaborativepiano

Online Courses: https://dreamlavender.podia.com

Workshop (Oct 2025): https://skilled-trailblazer-7766.kit.com/ec2f7153d7

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Pianist, teacher, and entrepreneur David Chang shares his journey from discovering his teaching gift at 13 to building one of the most successful adult piano programs in the U.S. We dive into his unique methods for learning, his philosophy of “business as art, life as art, self as art,” and how mindset and creativity fuel a joyful, impactful business.

Learn more about David's work here

Thumbtack: https://www.thumbtack.com/-Brooklyn-NY/service/3736296
Landing Page: https://davidchangmusic.lpages.co/lessons/
Website: https://www.davidchangmusic.com
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@davidchangmusic
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/davidwchangmusic
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/davidwchangmusic
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidchangmusic
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@davidchangmusic

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 In this episode, Eric sits down with musician, pedagogue, and music business strategist Kelly Riordan, co-founder of Outside the Bachs. Kelly helps teachers design profitable studios, attract students through organic marketing, and refine their operations to run smoothly. She shares insights on setting and sticking to policies, identifying your ideal student, building community over competition, and using authentic social media to grow your reach. Packed with encouragement and practical strategies, this episode is essential listening for music teachers who want to build thriving, sustainable studios.

Learn more about Kelly's work:
www.instagram.com/kellyriordanmusician/
www.tiktok.com/@kellyriordanmusician
www.instagram.com/outsidebachs/
www.facebook.com/OutsideTheBachs
www.youtube.com/@outsidethebachsofficial
Public FB group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/privatemusicinstructors

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