At presentation in schools, inevitably I’m asked to list my favorite and least favorite aspects of being a professional musician. So, without further ado, my list of…
Favorite and Least Favorite Things About Being a Musician
Favorite Things:
- The music – playing and performing incredible music
- The violin – I love this beautiful instrument, including its sound, its challenges, its possibilities
- Collaborations with other amazing musicians and the friendships I’ve made
- All the places I’ve been and the unique experiences I have had because I am a musician
- Teaching others how to play the violin and about music in general
- Being an advocate for the arts
- Participating in multiple facets of a career: business, marketing, academia, performance, pedagogy, writing
- Meeting fascinating people from all over the world
Least Favorite Things:
- The instability of the profession
- The prevalent attitude in the U.S. about the dispensability of music and the arts
- That all the extra-musical skills that can make or break one’s career – how to be business oriented, self-promoters, entrepreneurs, advocates, and educators – are not taught and presented as they should
How closely do your favorite and least favorite aspects align with the lists above?