This week on the podcast is part one of our interview with acclaimed pianist and chamber musician, Alon Goldstein. His artistic vision and innovative programming have made him a favorite with audiences and critics alike throughout the United States and around the world. He made his orchestral debut at the age of 18 with the Israel Philharmonic under the baton of Zubin Mehta and has performed with renown orchestras and conductors ever since.  If you’re interested in what it takes to be concert artist, from practicing, to programing to creating opportunities, you won’t want to miss our interview with Alon Goldstein! 
​
Alon's inspiring journey embodies his unyielding commitment to his craft - a tenet that encourages going beyond the ordinary and giving it his absolute all. His unique philosophy of creating opportunities, rather than waiting for them to knock, is a powerful message for all aspiring artists and entrepreneurs in the arts.

This week on the podcast is part two of our interview with  Dominic Moore-Dunson. He’s an award-winning professional dancer, producer, teaching artist and speaker.  Dominic is the co-founder of Moore-Dunson Co., a holding company committed to producing companies and brands helping its clients unlock their stories. As an artist, he’s in the 2023 Dance Magazine’s “25 to Watch” list; a Top 40 finalist for the National Dance Project Grant; a 2019 Jacob’s Pillow Choreography Fellow; and a 2019 Cleveland Arts Prize Winner. ​He unravels the unique challenges of running a nonprofit, the flexibility an LLC offers, and the dance between his roles as a performer and a creator.

Artists and creatives often shy away from embracing entrepreneurship, a notion Dominic challenges head-on. Our conversation traverses through the evolving demands of the modern world that necessitates artists to take on entrepreneurial roles, often frowned upon by traditional mentors. We lay bare the fear of the 'hustle culture' and the risk of being branded a 'sellout', while emphasizing how an entrepreneurial approach can uplift the artistic community and build an engaged audience.

Capping off this enlightening episode, Dominic shares his wisdom on preserving artistic integrity while creating marketable art. He divulges key insights into community engagement, resonating projects, and revenue streams beyond mere performances. Listen in as Dominic candidly shares his journey towards embracing the entrepreneurial spirit, and underscores the importance of authenticity in art. A must-listen for any artist grappling to harmonize their creative vision with financial survival.

​View Transcript

This week on the podcast is part one of our interview with  Dominic Moore-Dunson. He’s an award-winning professional dancer, producer, teaching artist and speaker.  Dominic is the co-founder of Moore-Dunson Co., a holding company committed to producing companies and brands helping its clients unlock their stories. As an artist, he’s in the 2023 Dance Magazine’s “25 to Watch” list; a Top 40 finalist for the National Dance Project Grant; a 2019 Jacob’s Pillow Choreography Fellow; and a 2019 Cleveland Arts Prize Winner. ​

From the soccer field to the dance floor, Dominic Moore-Dunson has an inspiring journey to share. With tap shoes he wore as a two-year-old, to being an award-winning professional dancer, Dominic's experiences speak of courage, commitment, and the will to follow one's passion. He takes us on an intimate journey through his life, detailing the arduous decision of choosing dance over soccer and the subsequent adaptation to the demanding lifestyle of a professional dancer.

One pivotal story from Dominic's life involves a taxing experience that tested his limits and led to the realization of his potential. His life lessons extend beyond the dance floor, as he talks about the influence of his soccer coach, who helped shape his detailed-oriented and accountable work ethic. Dominic stresses the role of expectations and a thorough understanding of a project's nuances in his artistic success, offering a fresh perspective that applies to not just artists, but also entrepreneurs and professionals from various fields.

The episode also delves into Dominic's creative process, as he shares the backstage experience of creating a podcast and a dance piece inspired by conversations around children's safety and police. He highlights how unexpected incidents can alter a project's focus and meaning, citing a specific incident in his community that shifted his work's focus. Dominic further unravels his strategies for meaningful collaborations, emphasizing the importance of understanding people to create larger, collective projects. This episode serves as a treasure trove of wisdom and practical advice for anyone looking to navigate their creative journey.

View Transcript

This week on the podcast is part two of our interview with International prize-winning violinist Ada Witczyk.   She’s a dual citizen of Poland and Britain, and is the recipient of numerous awards such as the Henry Wood Award, the Star Award by the Countess of Munster Musical Trust, and the Margot MacGibbon Award.  As both a modern and baroque violinist, Ada has performed at many of the UK’s most prestigious venues and festivals including Buckingham Palace, Royal Festival Hall, the Barbican and Royal Albert Hall. Ada has performed with renowned ensembles such as the Gabrieli Consort, The English Concert, and The Academy of Ancient Music. 

​Ada gives us a sneak peek into her fascinating world of music and business. Ada, a dual citizen of Poland and Britain, isn't just an ordinary violinist but an International Prize-winner who's now on a mission to promote baroque violin compositions. From booking concerts and negotiating contracts to managing logistics, Ada shines the spotlight on the challenging yet rewarding path of arts entrepreneurship.

Ada shares how she converted the hurdles on her path into stepping stones towards success. Ada's advice to budding artists and entrepreneurs alike is invaluable, highlighting the importance of real-life exposure and learning from professionals. She also gives us a sneak peek into her upcoming album featuring five diverse artists and her intriguing film recording project. So, come, join us in this captivating journey and get inspired by Ada's passion and resilience.

View Transcript

Today we release part one of our interview with International prize-winning violinist Ada Witczyk.   She’s a dual citizen of Poland and Britain, and is the recipient of numerous awards such as the Henry Wood Award, the Star Award by the Countess of Munster Musical Trust, and the Margot MacGibbon Award.  As both a modern and baroque violinist, Ada has performed at many of the UK’s most prestigious venues and festivals including Buckingham Palace, Royal Festival Hall, the Barbican and Royal Albert Hall. Ada has performed with renowned ensembles such as the Gabrieli Consort, The English Concert, and The Academy of Ancient Music. 

Ada offers a unique perspective on the significance of supporting new music in a society that often favors the old. She delves into her own experiences of inspiring over 150 compositions for the Baroque violin, and shares her insights on the contrast between period and modern instruments. Our conversation also explores the importance of new music for period instruments, shedding light on Ada’s passion for the genre.

But that's not all! Ada also spills the tea on her experiences learning social media marketing and branding. As classical musicians navigate the digital age, she offers her insights on how to connect with new audiences and break free from the perfectionism that can sometimes hinder creativity. Finally, we reflect on the role of mistakes in creating compelling narratives in music and beyond. As always, we appreciate your support for the podcast be it through tuning in, subscribing or spreading the word. Join us for this must-listen episode that promises to intrigue both music enthusiasts and budding artists!

View Transcript

This week on the podcast is part two of our interview with Kate Schroeder and her husband Thayer Bray. Kate is the artist behind Kate Schroeder Ceramics, whose works are in collections around the globe. Before becoming a full-time artist, she spent nearly a decade as an educator, and spent several years working in non-profits. She also managed Accessible Arts, a not-for-profit arts organization which specialized in teaching art to people with disabilities. Thayer is a printmaker with experience as a shop assistant at the Lawrence Lithography Workshop, a gallery assistant at Crane Yard Clay, and teaches bookbinding, papermaking, and lithography workshops. Thayer also helps with many aspects of the ceramics business. Join us as we touch upon a wide variety of entrepreneurial activities in this interview.

Join us as we engage with Kate Schrader and Thayer Bray, who transformed Kate's love for art into a thriving enterprise, Kate Schrader Ceramics. We traverse their journey from selling directly to customers to expanding into B2B selling, and discuss how Kate's lively personality has contributed to their successful navigation through the art entrepreneurship landscape.

Learn about the challenges of selling art online, the complexities of mission-driven and product-driven businesses, and how setting up a retirement plan can ease tax burdens and aid in future planning. 

Finally, Kate and Thayer share their top advice and lessons learned on making art more accessible and reaching a wider audience, and more. They emphasize the importance of starting with online selling, being unafraid to ask questions, and offering lower threshold educational experiences. Tune in and get inspired to explore your artistic passions!

This week on the podcast is part one of our interview with Kate Schroeder and her husband Thayer Bray. Kate is the artist behind Kate Schroeder Ceramics, whose works are in collections around the globe. Before becoming a full-time artist, she spent nearly a decade as an educator, and spent several years working in non-profits. She also managed Accessible Arts, a not-for-profit arts organization which specialized in teaching art to people with disabilities. Thayer is a printmaker with experience as a shop assistant at the Lawrence Lithography Workshop, a gallery assistant at Crane Yard Clay, and teaches bookbinding, papermaking, and lithography workshops. Thayer also helps with many aspects of the ceramics business. Join us as we touch upon a wide variety of entrepreneurial activities in this interview.

View Transcript

This week on the podcast is part two of our interview with British conductor, Timothy Redmond. He’s a regular guest conductor with the London Symphony Orchestra and the Manchester Camerata, and Professor of Conducting at the Guildhall School of London and a visiting tutor at the Royal Academy of Music. Tim is also the Principal Conductor of the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra’s Know The Score ®concerts and Co-Creator of Royal Albert Hall’s My Great Orchestral Adventure.™ Passionate about training future conductors, is the co-founder of the international conducting course "And Other Duties."

In this episode:
We take a thrilling journey into Redmond's creative process, how he brings concerts alive and makes the orchestra the star of the show - all with a dash of imagination. Our conversation doesn't stop at the art of music, we also dive into the heart of music education and the future of orchestras. Tim shares his unique approach to conducting family and education shows, revealing how to strike a balance that allows both the orchestra and presenter to shine. We also hit on the changing tides of classical music and the art of networking for young conductors. But we don't shy away from the hard parts - managing difficult musicians, the role of psychology in it, and the challenges of being an arts entrepreneur. Yet, with Tim's invaluable artistic and entrepreneurial advice, we learn that the rewards are worth the hurdles, and above all, the importance of making arts accessible to all. So sit back and let the orchestra play on!

View Transcript

This week on the podcast is part one of our interview with British conductor, Timothy Redmond. He’s a regular guest conductor with the London Symphony Orchestra and the Manchester Camerata, and Professor of Conducting at the Guildhall School of London and a visiting tutor at the Royal Academy of Music. Tim is also the Principal Conductor of the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra’s Know The Score ®concerts and Co-Creator of Royal Albert Hall’s My Great Orchestral Adventure.™ Passionate about training future conductors, is the co-founder of the international conducting course And Other Duties.

In this episode:
​From his early training as an oboist to becoming a respected conductor and professor, Timothy takes us behind the music, offering vivid insights into his passion for contemporary pieces and his approach to designing educational concerts worldwide.

Journey alongside Timothy as he recounts the delicate dance of earning respect as a young conductor. Listen closely as he shares the importance of reading the room, earning respect, and not merely imposing ideas. Get an inside look at his first experience conducting the London Symphony Orchestra and how he mastered the art of managing large crowds. As Timothy peels back the layers of his craft, we delve into the complexity of stepping in as a cover conductor and the accompanying challenges.

The world of recording orchestras is no less fascinating. Timothy takes us into the heart of Abbey Road Studios, recounting his experiences recording with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra and Natasha Marsh. He illuminates how the recording process has evolved over the last century and the unique demands of recording different genres. As he shares invaluable tips on earning respect from lauded ensembles and the essential role of connecting with the audience, prepare to have your curiosity ignited by the captivating world of orchestras. Join us on this magnificent musical journey with Timothy Redmond!

View Transcript

This week on the podcast is part two of our interview with Susan Hazel Rich. She used her experiences as a former logo and brand designer to create Hazelmade, a collection of illustrated paper and home goods. Each design in her collections is hand drawn and paired with environmentally friendly papers, fabrics and earth-friendly packaging. We know you’ll enjoy hearing Susan’s open and honest conversation about what it took for her to succeed. We’ll have Susan’s website in the show notes so you can see her creative designs and functional pieces of art.

In this episode:
Susan takes us on an enlightening journey through the often overlooked administrative side of art entrepreneurship, including accounting, bookkeeping, and even sales tax. She stresses the importance of acknowledging one's limitations and delegating tasks accordingly. And if you've ever found the legal side of starting a business daunting, Susan discusses the invaluable help she received from business incubator programs like Volunteer Lawyers for the Arts.

Transitioning from Etsy to Shopify was a decision that came with its own set of challenges for Susan. She candidly shares her experience of rethinking the financial component, emphasizing the need to adapt to the ever-changing market. Moreover, Susan generously reveals her marketing strategies that have contributed to the growth of her business. From personalized handwritten thank you notes to holiday cards, she delves into the simple yet effective ways she has been reaching out to her shop owners. 

Finally, we tackle the ever-pervasive challenge for entrepreneurs – time management. Susan gives us an honest look at how she dealt with this issue and the strategies she implemented to successfully pivot her business. One key takeaway is the significance of listening to feedback and using it as a stepping stone for growth. Susan's belief in the necessity of making arts accessible to a broader audience is truly inspiring. So, if you're an aspiring art entrepreneur, this episode with Susan Hazel Rich is a goldmine of insights waiting to be discovered.

View Transcript