In today's marketplace, musicians need more than artistic excellence: they need the added edge of entrepreneurial skills to create opportunities and build successful, sustainable careers.  Focusing on the intersection of artistry and enterprise, the CME spearheads entrepreneurial initiatives that help students and alums become the CEOs of their own successful careers.  The CME facilitates the exploration of new career paths, income streams, and business models that are transforming the profession.  Tailored to the direct and positive culture of MSM, the CME connects initiatives across departments and curriculum, offering:

Practical Foundations: Entrepreneurial Leadership Skills

A core course that covers the practical “nuts and bolts” of a successful music career, including finances, self-presentation, publicity, and marketing for both new and traditional career directions. This one-semester class explores how to make a living while pursuing your deepest artistic goals. It also offers essential advice on finding your own niche and creating your own musical opportunities.

Advanced Practicum in Music Entrepreneurship

A graduate-level course, focused on assisting students to plan and launch their own entrepreneurial ventures, whether this means creating a new festival, launching an ensemble, recording, or media company.  The course will cover, in a supportive thinktank environment, feasibility, business plans and models, proposal writing, fundraising, and project management.

Setting the Stage Series

Inspiring entrepreneurial speakers share their expertise and advice in this series of hands-on interactive workshops.  Topics include Social Media Mania, The Business Plan for Your Artistic Career, Building Your Fan Base, and Kickstarting Your Fundraising.
Series Calendar (spring dates to be added soon) >

Career Advising & Entrepreneurial Coaching

The CME staff provides professional career coaching in a supportive environment.  In individual sessions, students can explore their goals and create action plans for success.  Appointments may focus on career plans and projects, on creating and editing promotional materials, and more.  Additional mentoring is available through MSM's extensive network of accomplished alumni, faculty, and friends.

Internships

Flexible internship opportunities are available for elective credits with leading NYC-area arts organizations, performing ensembles, arts management and publicity firms, and other cultural institutions and businesses.

Recording Services

In collaboration with MSM’s Myers Recording Studio, professional, archival recordings of students’ recitals can be adapted for students’ promotional materials and websites. The studio is fully equipped with a digital multitrack facility and is staffed by veteran industry professionals.
Recordings Office >

Additional Career Services

Online resources and information are available on issues ranging from financing and funding, to self-promotion, freelancing, networking, and audience engagement.  The CME also provides access to extensive auditions, grants, festivals, competitions, and job listings.  further, the Center maintains a musician and teacher referral service, credential files, and key industry resource information.
Additional Career Services >

Balancing Our Lives As Musicians, Teachers And Entrepreneurs: An Interview With Angela Myles Beeching (American Music Teacher, December 2011/January 2012) >
Copyright 2011 Music Teachers National Association. Used by Permission.

Interview with CME Director Angela Beeching (Arts Entrepreneurship Educator's Network, November 2011) >

Required Reading: “Beyond Talent” (Musical America, September 2011) >

New York Music Conservatory Plays Entrepreneurial Song (Voice of America News, February 2011) >
 
DIY: Music Career (Listen Music Magazine, Fall 2010) >
 
Musicians Add Business Skills to Repertoire (Crain’s New York Business, July 2010) >
 
 


 

Michael Dabroski (BM ’90) is Making Music with a Social Mission as Co-Artistic Director and Violinist with the Burlington Ensemble in Vermont. The ensemble is a "for profit" chamber music organization that collaborates and concert fundraises for local non-profit organizations and creates new listening audiences. Follow them on Facebook.




David Handler (BM ’04) and Justin Kantor (BM ’02) met in between orchestra rehearsals at Manhattan School of Music and went on to found NYC’s hottest new music venue, (Le) Poisson Rouge in 2004.




Linda Oh (MM ’08) is an ASCAP Young Jazz Composer’s Award winner whose debut trio alum Entry received rave reviews and was named one of the top ten albums of 2009. She now teaches in MSM’s Precollege Division and conducts jazz videoconference master classes.


CONTACT

Angela Myles Beeching, CME Director

Casey Molino Dunn, CME Deputy Director

(917) 493-4502, CME Office

Email CME >
Meet the CME Staff >