Aspiring Artist Podcast

Today with Miss Hannah Bayles we are going to talk all things creative, all things business, all things stepping outside the box and outside of your comfort zone. This girl is seriously building herself an online EMPIRE and we here at Aspiring Artist podcast could not WAIT to get her back on the show to talk about this amazing journey she’s been on, growing a brand, social media, and a business all in one. Connect with Hannah!https://linktr.ee/hannahbaylesmusic Contact us here!https://linktr.ee/rachelsandlermusicFor podcast inquiries: aspiringartistpodcast@gmail.comFor music & lessons inquiries: rachelsandlermusic@gmail.com

Daniel Bach developed a passion for acting & film at a young age. He was given the opportunity to explore that in high school but couldn’t afford college or equipment, so for years as a jack of all trades before going back to college. Daniel then started an Amazon business, and is now pursuing acting. Today we discuss his unique path and how to pave your own. Connect with Daniel!www.danieljbach.comwww.theactorscommunity.org Contact us here!https://linktr.ee/rachelsandlermusicFor podcast inquiries: aspiringartistpodcast@gmail.comFor music & lessons inquiries: rachelsandlermusic@gmail.com

Jarod Cerf is a writer, journalist, podcast host, storytelling coach and occasional real life person. He tries not to write for myself, but rather, with the hope that you can find something of worth--of the characters, their dreams and desires--to make your own.As a coach, Jarod can teach, entertain and guide you through the art of storytelling in any medium you like. Connect with Jarod!@jcertherealist on twitter and instagramhttps://www.20minutestobrilliance.com/tygershttps://www.patreon.com/herebetygers Contact us here!https://linktr.ee/rachelsandlermusicFor podcast inquiries: aspiringartistpodcast@gmail.comFor music & lessons inquiries: rachelsandlermusic@gmail.com

Dr. Christopher Croner is a Principal with SalesDrive, LLC, a firm that specializes in the selection and deployment of high performing salespeople. Dr. Croner is co-author of the book, Never Hire a Bad Salesperson Again, detailing his research and practice in identifying the non- teachable personality traits common to top producers. Dr. Croner developed the proprietary DriveTest® diagnostics system, including the Drive Interview® for salesperson selection.Using this system, he has helped over 1,000 companies worldwide to hire and develop top- performing salespeople.Dr. Croner has served as an adjunct faculty member at the Chicago School of Professional Psychology, teaching personnel selection in the Industrial Psychology Master of Arts program. Dr. Croner is an active member of the Consulting Section of the Illinois Psychological Association and former Co-Program Chair of Chicago Industrial/Organizational Psychologists (CIOP).Dr. Croner received his BA in Psychology from DePaul University, and his Masters and Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology from Southern Illinois University at Carbondale. Connect with Dr. Croner!ccroner@salesdrivetest.comhttps://www.youtube.com/user/salesdrivellchttps://www.linkedin.com/company/salesdrive-llc/https://www.pinterest.com/salesdrivellcwww.linkedin.com/in/christophercronerhttps://twitter.com/SalesDriveLLChttps://www.facebook.com/SalesDriveLLC Contact us here!https://linktr.ee/rachelsandlermusicFor podcast inquiries: aspiringartistpodcast@gmail.comFor music & lessons inquiries: rachelsandlermusic@gmail.com

With a style that is tastefully modern yet firmly rooted in the jazz tradition, American pianist Joshua Espinoza blends and bends genres into original compositions and arrangements that are immediately relatable, yet hard to define. Recently, Joshua has performed alongside such notable artists as Warren Wolf, Sean Jones, Damien Sneed, Todd Marcus, Jerome Jennings, Paul Bollenback, Miho Hazama, Alex Norris, John D’earth, Mike Pope, Kris Funn, and Chuck Redd. A finalist in the 2018 Ellis Marsalis International Jazz Piano Competition and current faculty member of the Peabody Institute of The Johns Hopkins University, his playing has been heard on stages large and small including the Piccolo Spoleto Festival, Blues Alley, The Jazz Kitchen, The Kennedy Center, the Barns at Wolftrap, the Smithsonian American Art Museum, and the DC Jazz Festival. His debut album​‟Journey Into Night" – released in June 2019 – is available on all platforms. Currently, Joshua is a freelance performer in Baltimore, MD. To read and hear more, visit www.joshuaespinoza.com. Contact us here!https://linktr.ee/rachelsandlermusicFor podcast inquiries: aspiringartistpodcast@gmail.comFor music & lessons inquiries: rachelsandlermusic@gmail.com

Capturing musical moments and making them available for others to experience has been a long time passion for Alex Righter. What started out as a curious high school kid recording with his rock band in an old chicken coop has led to years of fine tuning his craft to ensure every moment of a performance is not lost in translation. His audio company, A Righter Sound, specializes in live recording, mixing, spatial audio, and home studio consulting. He started his professional career as a Sound Designer/Mixer at Clean Cuts & Cerebral Lounge post production studio creating and shaping audio content for TV, radio, web content, podcasts, audiobooks, and video games. He also worked on newer media formats, mixing and designing spatial audio for 360 videos and virtual reality video games. In 2017, he became a recording and live sound engineer for The United States Army Band “Pershing’s Own” in Washington, DC. He is also an active freelance tuba, sousaphone, and bass player in the area. Connect with Alex!www.arightersound.com Contact us here!https://linktr.ee/rachelsandlermusicFor podcast inquiries: aspiringartistpodcast@gmail.comFor music & lessons inquiries: rachelsandlermusic@gmail.com

Mark Thress, M.M., M.A., is dedicated to entrepreneurship and fueled by a passion for positive influence. He is an accomplished operatic and studio vocalist with a demonstrated higher education teaching history, and his strong background in vocal research has helped carve a unique path of innovation and vocal science, in the singing health specialization.Owner and founder of Vocal 360 Global, Mark’s artists have collaborated with Grammy Award-winning producers, opened for acts such as Lady A and Amy Grant, received sync deals for Amazon Prime Originals, and performed nationally and internationally on National Tours, Broadway, Television, and Cruise Ships. Mark is also a dedicated professor at Belmont and Lipscomb University, and runs his own private vocal studio in Nashville, TN. Connect with Mark!@markthress @vocal360global on IG and FB Contact us here!https://linktr.ee/rachelsandlermusicFor podcast inquiries: aspiringartistpodcast@gmail.comFor music & lessons inquiries: rachelsandlermusic@gmail.com

Hannah Bayles is a voice teacher, singer, and YouTuber based in Utah. She specializes in musical theatre and pop, specifically healthy belting technique. Her YouTube channel, started in March 2020 has quickly amassed over 60,000 subscribers. When Hannah isn’t teaching or creating online content, you can find her loving on her adorable toddler, rewatching the Office for the hundredth time, or having a good cup of coffee early in the morning.  Connect with Hannah!https://linktr.ee/hannahbaylesmusic Contact us here!https://linktr.ee/rachelsandlermusicFor podcast inquiries: aspiringartistpodcast@gmail.comFor music & lessons inquiries: rachelsandlermusic@gmail.com

Nate Plummer is an internationally known actor’s coach whose clients appear upon on regional, national tour, and Broadway stages as well as in TV / film and national commercials. In 2015 he founded Stage Door Unlocked - an online actor training & resource business currently working with clients in 35 states and 8 countries. His e books and repertoire guides have sold all over the world and his workshops have over 5000 participants to date from all over North America. He is a contributing author to Full Voice Music’s Teacher’s Guide and is the resident production consultant and blogger for Grosh Backdrops and Drapery writing articles about directing and creating theatre in schools and community theatres. He is a frequent guest on numerous podcasts, serves as a clinician and adjudicator for several organizations around the country, and continues to actively direct theatrical productions around the Midwest. Mr. Plummer is a member of the National Association of Teachers of Singing, Musical Theatre Educators Alliance, The Voice Foundation, and is a proud member of the Stage Directors and Choreographers Society (the national stage director’s union.)  More information can be found at: www.stagedoorunlocked.com Contact us here!https://linktr.ee/rachelsandlermusicFor podcast inquiries: aspiringartistpodcast@gmail.comFor music & lessons inquiries: rachelsandlermusic@gmail.com

Kenneth Odom is a tuba player and holds a Bachelors degree in Music Performance from Frostburg State University. Ken performed with the World Class finalist Crossmen Drum & Bugle corps, and then went on to perform with the Tony and Emmy award winning show Blast! During his time with Blast!, Ken has performed as a tuba soloist, low brass swing, percussionist and conductor through various productions, including Blast!, Shockwave, Cyberjam and MIX: Music In X-treme. Ken has performed in numerous countries across three continents and thousands of live performances. Since 2011, Ken has served as a Corporal with the Newark Police Department, and is currently assigned as a full time Task Force Officer at the Drug Enforcement Administration’s Wilmington Resident Office.  Learn more about Blast! here: https://www.blasttheshow.com/ Contact us here!https://linktr.ee/rachelsandlermusicFor podcast inquiries: aspiringartistpodcast@gmail.comFor music & lessons inquiries: rachelsandlermusic@gmail.com

MX. BRIAN LOWDERMILK (they/them or she/her) is a gender non-conforming songwriter, dramatist and YouTube creator with over 15 million views. In theater, they've gotten lots of awards for emerging artists (whatever that means) including the Larson Award, Alan Menken Award, Richard Rodgers Award, and a Dramatists Guild Fellowship, and have held residencies at McDowell, Johnny Mercer, Theatreworks/Palo Alto and others. Their work has been produced and developed at The Kennedy Center, The Kimmel Center, Lincoln Center, Off-Broadway: The Mad Ones and Henry and Mudge, which toured the country for over a decade. Upcoming projects include immersive house party The Bad Years and Republic directed by Michael Arden. Other musicals include Flash of Time, an immersive art / puppet installation-musical hybrid at the Kimmel Center in Philadelphia, The Amazing Adventures of Dr. Wonderful and Her Dog and Earthrise at The Kennedy Center in DC, and Rosie Revere, Engineer & Friends, written with playwright Lauren Gunderson, which is currently touring the US. Their first album "Our First Mistake" charted at #1 on the iTunes Singer/Songwriter chart. Other albums include "Kerrigan-Lowdermilk Live" and “The Mad Ones” cast album. They are a founder of the start-up NewMusicalTheatre.com, and a member of the Dramatist Guild and ASCAP. Connect with Brian!TW: @kaitandbrian  IG: @kerriganlowdermilk FB: kerriganlowdermilkTHE MAD ONES cast albumhttps://found.ee/uGep Contact us here!https://linktr.ee/rachelsandlermusicFor podcast inquiries: aspiringartistpodcast@gmail.comFor music & lessons inquiries: rachelsandlermusic@gmail.com

Katie Janner grew up in Austin as a typical theatre kid and got her BA in Theatre from the University of Texas in 2017. After a summer in LA, she moved back home with no money and no job prospects until one day she discovered she could make money at home with voiceover work. She saved all her money from voice over and side hustles and moved to NYC, where she got a catering job and kept growing her VO business. Now she spends her time 50/50 voiceover and podcast editing/consulting, and booking some acting as well. Her voiceover work includes voicemails, a children book, GPS systems, bus announcements, Spotify/radio commercials, TV ads, and lots of marketing and training videos, and she now has started a podcast called Katie talks a lot about moving to NYC, being an actor and entrepreneur. In this episode we discuss the ins and outs of being a young entrepreneur and paving your own path! Topics include podcasting, self-employment, and mastering your freelance skill! Plus some recommendations for odd jobs you can do from home. Connect with Katie!https://www.instagram.com/voicedbykatie https://www.instagram.com/katietalksalotpodcasthttps://voicedbykatie.comhttps://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/katie-talks-a-lot/id1496632115 Contact us here!https://linktr.ee/rachelsandlermusicFor podcast inquiries: aspiringartistpodcast@gmail.comFor music & lessons inquiries: rachelsandlermusic@gmail.com

Katie Janner grew up in Austin as a typical theatre kid and got her BA in Theatre from the University of Texas in 2017. After a summer in LA, she moved back home with no money and no job prospects until one day she discovered she could make money at home with voiceover work. She saved all her money from voice over and side hustles and moved to NYC, where she got a catering job and kept growing her VO business. Now she spends her time 50/50 voiceover and podcast editing/consulting, and booking some acting as well. Her voiceover work includes voicemails, a children book, GPS systems, bus announcements, Spotify/radio commercials, TV ads, and lots of marketing and training videos, and she now has started a podcast called Katie talks a lot about moving to NYC, being an actor and entrepreneur.  Connect with Katie!https://www.instagram.com/voicedbykatie https://www.instagram.com/katietalksalotpodcasthttps://voicedbykatie.comhttps://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/katie-talks-a-lot/id1496632115 Contact us here!https://linktr.ee/rachelsandlermusicFor podcast inquiries: aspiringartistpodcast@gmail.comFor music & lessons inquiries: rachelsandlermusic@gmail.com

Leah Stewart-Hill, soprano, is a performer and vocal educator based in Louisiana. She has more than nine years of experience teaching voice on the collegiate level. She is founder and director of Studio 2219, a music school she operates with her husband, Dr. David Hill, a pianist and vocal coach.Since 2018, Leah has been a cast member in Stephen Burke’s original musical, The Hiding Place, singing the role of Betsie ten Boom in the show’s national tours. Her other roles include Erste Dame in Die Zauberflöte, Angelica in Suor Angelica, Mimì in La bohème, Adina in L’elisir d’amore, Micaela in Carmen, The Countess in Le Nozze di Figaro, and Young Psyche, a role written for her, in Larry Taylor’s Eros and Psyche.Leah was introduced to Young Living Essentials Oils in 2019 and quickly became fascinated by their impact on her health and vocal wellness. As a result, she is passionate about sharing essential oils and their many benefits for vocalists—on and off the stage.Leah received a B.A. and M.A. from Pensacola Christian College and an M.M. in Voice Performance from James Madison University. Connect with Leah!https://www.instagram.com/alifeofessentials/ Contact us here!https://linktr.ee/rachelsandlermusicFor podcast inquiries: aspiringartistpodcast@gmail.comFor music & lessons inquiries: rachelsandlermusic@gmail.com

New York City-based composer ED WINDELS is a graduate of the Mannes College of Music, earning both Bachelors and Masters degrees in composition in just three years. He enjoys writing new concert music for all genres and mediums, with a particular fondness for art song. Concurrently his admiration for and experience with the musical theater has resulted in an additional career as an orchestrator and arranger.Ed has been the recipient of a fellowship at the Aspen Summer Music Festival and Meet The Composer grants. Recent commissions include a song cycle for Bargemusic’s Here And Now series, a piano solo piece for his alma mater, Peal Off for Chicago’s Gaudete Brass Quintet, a duo for violas for Michael Hall, and a bass oboe sonata for British reed virtuoso Mikey Sluman.Recently completed projects include a setting for tenor and large orchestra of John Hollander’s Summer Day, and an edition of Richard Strauss’s renownedly large-scale opera Elektra for 32 instruments. A version of Gilbert and Sullivan’s H.M.S. Pinafore, re-arranged and re-orchestrated in a 1920’s jazz idiom, premiered in February 2018 by its commissioner, Edmonton Opera in Alberta, Canada.Connect with Ed!https://www.ed-windels.com/https://www.instagram.com/ed.windels/ https://twitter.com/EdWindels,https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCagEIDikcusnO_SO_YR0lsAhttps://soundcloud.com/ed-windelsContact us here!https://linktr.ee/rachelsandlermusicFor podcast inquiries: aspiringartistpodcast@gmail.comFor music & lessons inquiries: rachelsandlermusic@gmail.com

Melissa Schreibstein, founder of The Leadership Project, is a gifted coach who brings compassion, insight, and accountability to coaching partnerships. Her understanding of leadership trends, sport and performance psychology, and well-being science is an asset for clients looking for pathways to thriving in high pressure / high performance occupations in an increasingly volatile, uncertain, complex, and ambiguous world. Melissa values a holistic approach, and she dedicates herself to helping every one of her clients realize lasting positive change, finding more satisfaction at work and more meaning in life overall. Melissa’s clients include experienced and emerging leaders, ranging from C-suite executives to physicians, small business and non-profit leadership, Freddie Mac, O'Melveny & Myers, Federal Highway Administration, entrepreneurs, collegiate and professional athletes. Melissa also provides pro bono coaching to veterans and medical students. Melissa guides clients to develop an elite athlete’s mindset to maximize leadership strengths, bounce back from challenges, manage stressors, build stronger relationships, and deepen well-being. Melissa is the Director of Well-Being Programs at George Mason University’s Center for the Advancement of Well-Being. She honed her passion for helping leaders develop the mental and emotional qualities that underlie peak performance and resilience working as a senior subject matter expert for the U.S. Army. Whether it’s in the boardroom, gym, office, classroom, or on the field, Melissa provides compelling lessons, sound insight, and enthusiastic, strategic support to help clients achieve higher levels of success. Melissa completed certification in Leadership Coaching for Organizational Well-Being from George Mason University. She maintains an Associate Certified Coach (ACC) credential through the International Coaching Federation (ICF). Melissa studied positive psychology and resilience with a team at the University of Pennsylvania. She has a Master of Science in Kinesiology from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro School of Health and Human Services. She has presented at various conferences, including the Association for Applied Sport Psychology (AASP) and American Psychological Association (APA). Connect with Melissa!www.leadershipprojectcoach.comTwitter @CoachMelSchreib Contact us here!www.aspiringartistpodcast.comwww.rachelsandlermusic.comFor podcast inquiries: aspiringartistpodcast@gmail.comFor music & lessons inquiries: rachelsandlermusic@gmail.com 

Vocal instructor, vocal director, beginner-piano teacher, music theory tutor, and soprano Madeline Huss’ aims to promote healthy music making that will continue to inspire students and music enthusiasts. She takes pride in teaching a wide range of students with varying backgrounds and interests. As a new music enthusiast, she has been a vocalist in 13 world premieres, including opera scenes, art song, arias, and chamber ensembles. She is currently a vocal instructor at St. Croix Preparatory Academy and Hill-Murray School, as well as a piano instructor at Saint John of Little Canada. Although the productions are adjusting their performance plans, she continues to vocal direct for two musicals: Seussical JR. with Ashland Productions and High School Musical 2 JR. with Skyview Middle School.Huss received a graduate performance diploma (2019) and two masters degrees in vocal performance and music theory pedagogy (2018) from Peabody and a Bachelor of Music from Concordia College.*Side note from RachelOn the Podcast, Madeline delves into the topic of the enneagram (an in-depth personality test), as we discuss how knowing yourself inside and out is essential in overcoming obstacles as an artist. Madeline has been studying the enneagram for years now, and uses it daily as she interacts with her friends, family, students and fellow artists. Connect with Madeline!www.madelinehuss.comInstagram: @hussmad Contact us here!www.aspiringartistpodcast.comwww.rachelsandlermusic.comFor podcast inquiries: aspiringartistpodcast@gmail.comFor music & lessons inquiries: rachelsandlermusic@gmail.com

Lee Hirschmann is the owner of The Band Shoppe. Lee graduated from MNSE Tech for Band Instrument Repair and also graduated from Roberto-Venn School of Luthiery. Lee has been a proud & continuous member of NAPBIRT , National Association of Professional Band Instrument Repair Technicians, since 2012. With over 13 years experience professionally building, repairing, servicing, buying, selling  & renting musical instruments, Lee is prepared to assist you with any of your musical needs.Lee is one of the Baltimore & DC area's finest technicians servicing; brass, woodwind, fretted, and orchestral stringed  instruments. Serving as a  NAPBIRT Clinician regionally and at the national level,  Lee not only teaches other technicians, but he too is a dedicated  student of his craft. In efforts to keep his clients instruments performing the best they can, Lee is constantly learning new methods and refining his techniques.  During his career he has successfully repaired thousands of instruments including; guitars, mandolins, banjos, bass guitars, brass, woodwinds, and orchestral stringed instruments.  Lee’s clientele includes military bands, national touring artists, local music venues, recording studios, private teachers, school band programs, and members of the Baltimore Ravens Marching Band.Whether you’re a beginner or professional musician, The Band Shoppe can handle your instrument service needs. Contact Lee to schedule your next service, customization or repair today! Connect with Lee!www.thebandshoppemd.com/shopSocial media: The_Band_Shoppe Contact us here!www.aspiringartistpodcast.comwww.rachelsandlermusic.comFor podcast inquiries: aspiringartistpodcast@gmail.comFor music & lessons inquiries: rachelsandlermusic@gmail.com

You can follow along here:https://www.coffeewithkristi.com/blog/2019/8/23/first-10-steps-to-starting-your-new-business Kristi Monte, 24, is a serial entrepreneur living in Nashville, TN. After starting and scaling 4 businesses before the age of 22, Kristi began her personal brand, Coffee with Kristi, which extends far beyond just a growing Instagram account. Coffee with Kristi incorporates her "20 something" lifestyle into a popular blog, podcast, and YouTube channel, which has amassed an impressive online following and continues to provide quality, educational content for young entrepreneurs to the present day. In 2019, Kristi launched her public speaking and educational career by using her diverse and ambitious professional pursuits to inspire young women to get clear on their message and use it to design a life they love. Connect with Kristi!https://www.coffeewithkristi.com@coffeewithkristi Contact us here!www.aspiringartistpodcast.comwww.rachelsandlermusic.comFor podcast inquiries: aspiringartistpodcast@gmail.comFor music & lessons inquiries: rachelsandlermusic@gmail.com

Kristi Monte, 24, is a serial entrepreneur living in Nashville, TN. After starting and scaling 4 businesses before the age of 22, Kristi began her personal brand, Coffee with Kristi, which extends far beyond just a growing Instagram account. Coffee with Kristi incorporates her "20 something" lifestyle into a popular blog, podcast, and YouTube channel, which has amassed an impressive online following and continues to provide quality, educational content for young entrepreneurs to the present day. In 2019, Kristi launched her public speaking and educational career by using her diverse and ambitious professional pursuits to inspire young women to get clear on their message and use it to design a life they love. Connect with Kristi!https://www.coffeewithkristi.com/blog@coffeewithkristi Contact us here!www.aspiringartistpodcast.comwww.rachelsandlermusic.comFor podcast inquiries: aspiringartistpodcast@gmail.comFor music & lessons inquiries: rachelsandlermusic@gmail.com

Elizabeth Lucas is a film and stage director, producer, and creative entrepreneur, and the founder of Free Range Humans, a two-year-old company doing immersive theatrical work in Frederick. She landed in Frederick as the first Creative Director of New Spire Arts after fifteen years in NYC, where she was a founder of the New York Musical Theatre Festival, made three award-winning feature films, and directed Tony-winning talent from New York to Alaska. Connect with Elizabeth!experience-human.comhttps://www.facebook.com/freerangeworld/ Contact us here!https://www.aspiringartistpodcast.com/https://www.rachelsandlermusic.com/Instagram @rachelsandlermusicTik Tok rachelsandlermusicFor podcast inquiries: aspiringartistpodcast@gmail.comFor music & lessons inquiries: rachelsandlermusic@gmail.com

Geraldine Anello has conducted Kinky Boots and School of Rock on Broadway, The Fantasticks off-Broadway, and played in the orchestras of Broadway’s School of Rock, Kinky Boots, Bronx Tale, Aladdin, and On the Town. She has also worked on the Broadway productions SpongeBob the Musical, An American in Paris, On Your Feet, and Matilda. Off Broadway credits include We Are the Tigers, Renascence for the Transport Group, Finian’s Rainbow at the Irish Repertory Theatre, and Children of Salt at the New York Musical Festival (be sure to check out the cast albums for these amazing projects!) She was the music supervisor and conductor of the benefit concert Double Standards at Town Hall in New York City, featuring Sarah Bareilles, Denee Benton, and Ingrid Michaelson, amongst others. She is the leader of Theatre Music Directors, an industry group of 8,600 members worldwide, for which she offers educational opportunities taught by Broadway conductors. She is the author of the upcoming book (title TBD) where she interviews musicians at the top of the game across all music disciplines. MM: WMU. DMA: BU Connect with Geraldine!https://geraldineanello.com/home/https://www.facebook.com/geraldinebcl[https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCnVaJPieF7iWPY-F0oCCmcA/feature?fbclid=IwAR1RdsbTpx3rIMb3wSDWzh3s4IlKZyHmsMIcawhOWD2e7cTmCCUzqCCGVTc](https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCnVaJPieF7iWPY-F0oCCmcA/feature?fbclid=IwAR1RdsbTpx3rIMb3wSDWzh3s4IlKZyHmsMIcawhOWD2e7cTmCCUzqCCGVTc) Contact us here!www.aspiringartistpodcast.comwww.rachelsandlermusic.comInstagram @rachelsandlermusicTik Tok rachelsandlermusicFor podcast inquiries: aspiringartistpodcast@gmail.comFor music & lessons inquiries: rachelsandlermusic@gmail.com

Hello and welcome to the very first recording of Aspiring Artist Podcast. I am Rachel Sandler, and I am so excited to share with you today a little bit about what this show is, who I am and what you can expect as you join the Aspiring Artist community. My artistic journey began at a very young age- so young, in fact, that I don’t even have the memory to recall my very first Mommy and me music class at the age of 3. The arts were constant for me throughout childhood, and I very quickly realized that my passion for music and theatre were a force to be reckoned with. It became very clear to me that I would turn my hobby into a career, but throughout high school I struggled to choose a specific path. I loved piano and singing classical music, but I also loved musical theatre and the popular music industry and teaching and music direction and pretty much any other topic in the field. So when I went to college, it’s no surprise that I cycled through every type of music degree that my school would offer before finally settling on one my junior year.My experience in college definitely set the tone for how the beginnings of my post-graduate days would pan out. I got a job teaching voice and piano at a local music shop, picked up a music direction gig at a theatre nearby, and found myself accompanying singers at their voice recitals. It was no shock to me that I was already being pulled in a million directions week one after graduating. But I pretty soon learned that you can only stretch yourself so thin. Months went by of saying yes to every opportunity, and while I had plenty in the bank to pay my bills, I found myself with absolutely no free time or social life. So what did I do? I went to grad school. And took my full time all-over-the-place free lance gigs with me. Now I know what you’re thinking. Rachel, you just said you had no free time or social life, didn’t this make it worse? Why would you do that to yourself?The answer is yes- and no. It did make it worse. An 80 hour week became the norm. BUT- it also made me more business savvy. Since I was tied to a physical location 20 or more hours a week as I went to school, I had to start thinking how canI work smarter, not harder. I couldn’t take gigs 50 miles away anymore on a regular basis, because I didn’t have enough hours in the day to get there. I spent 2 years earning my masters degree, and thinking about what it actually meant to be a creative entrepreneur. In many ways, I was well on my way to mastering the creative part, but was still so new to the full-time entrepreneur piece. So the question still rang true after graduation- how can I turn my passions into a streamlined business that is profitable, but won’t take up every waking second of my life? Because, let’s be real, as much as I love my work, burnout is a real thing. So that leads me to today. May of 2020. Here we are in a global pandemic. 2 years post graduate-school graduation and I am running a full time, profitable, online music business, and finding time to balance work and social life better than I ever have before. Do I have all the answers? Absolutely not! But I have a network of amazing colleagues, clients, family, friends, artists and other creative people who I look up to, and who push me to be the better version of myself and to grow a better version of my business every day.With the guidance of one the top “podcast-ologists” out there- and I might be a little biased, because he is my father- I decided that I needed a forum to share what I’ve learned about building a business and surviving as an artist in this crazy crazy world. I have so many smart, creative, amazing people in my network who have imparted so much of their wisdom, and you all need to hear what these people have to say. So that’s how we got here. The Podcast.Every week on Aspiring Artist Podcast, I aim to inspire the artistic community to take their craft to new heights. Whether you are a full time gigging musician, a photographer simply for fun, an audio engineer-and the list continues well beyond this- I want to help you to think about your craft from absolutely every angle. I have a line up of amazing guests who will share their expertise, covering topics from how do I book a professional gig to what if I want to find a creative outlet but I don’t have a hobby yet, and everything in between. I hope that I can share with you my successes and my failures, my ups and my downs, and anything and everything I have learned along the way. If this sounds even slightly interesting to you, stick around. Check us out every Monday as I release an episode every week. I can’t wait to join you on your artistic journey. Contact us here!www.aspiringartistpodcast.comwww.rachelsandlermusic.comFor podcast inquiries: aspiringartistpodcast@gmail.comFor music & lessons inquiries: rachelsandlermusic@gmail.com