The Honesty Pill Podcast

Honesty Pill Podcast Episode 44: Kelly Riordan - Outside the Bachs Show Notes Episode Overview In this episode, Chris dives deep into the world of private music studios with Kelly Riordan, a powerhouse in music education, hybrid teaching, and marketing. Kelly shares her journey from building her own thriving private studio to helping over 3,000 teachers and students grow their music careers worldwide. This conversation explores everything from setting rates, avoiding burnout, and managing student anxiety, to leveraging marketing strategies for long-term success. Whether you're a seasoned educator or just starting out, this episode is packed with actionable insights. Key Sections Building a Thriving Studio Transitioning from a traditional "dollars-for-hours" model to flat-rate tuition. Managing a teaching schedule to avoid burnout. Understanding the importance of identifying and working with aligned students. Mastering Hybrid Teaching & Marketing Strategies for breaking out of local teaching into online, hybrid models. Effective, non-salesy ways to promote your studio using social media and local outreach. The importance of creating a balance between relatability and professionalism. Supporting Musicians Worldwide How Kelly helps music educators build sustainable studios. Using tools like the "nice file" for self-confidence and imposter syndrome. Offering scholarships while maintaining a thriving business. Mindset Shifts for Success Reframing performance anxiety as an opportunity for growth. Understanding the "portfolio career" as a way to create fulfilling, multifaceted music careers. Using self-belief and intentional thought patterns to shape your success. Memorable Quotes “Sales isn't a dirty word—it's about showing up authentically and serving others.” “If you don't believe in yourself, how can you expect others to believe in you?” “Letting go of students who aren't the right fit isn't rejection; it's leading them toward better opportunities.” “Raise your rates to lead with service—you can't help others if you're barely making ends meet.” Key Takeaways Marketing Strategies: Start locally by building relationships with schools, community groups, and local music organizations. Use social media as a long-term strategy to showcase your teaching style and build credibility. Mindset for Growth: Don't let fear of pricing or imposter syndrome hold you back. Confidence in your value leads to stronger connections with aligned students. Studio Organization: Avoid burnout by streamlining admin tasks with software, creating structured tuition models, and focusing on your ideal student. The Power of Testimonials: Ask students and parents for testimonials after big wins and use them to attract more students. Links & Resources Kelly Riordan's Website: Outside the Bachs Join the Facebook Group: A supportive space for music teachers to share insights and advice. Free Strategy Call: Request Here Subscribe to Inbachs: Kelly's free weekly newsletter for actionable tips and mindset shifts. Call to Action If these topics resonate with you, subscribe to the Honesty Pill YouTube channel, and share this episode with your fellow musicians. Let's keep the conversation going—drop your thoughts or questions in the comments or on social media!

Welcome to Episode 43: In this episode of the Honesty Pill Podcast, I sit down with career coach and author Angela Beeching. Angela, the author of Beyond Talent, has helped countless musicians break through the overwhelm and frustration of building a sustainable career in the music industry. We dive into goal setting, time management, and even overcoming fear and self-doubt to create a career that you not only enjoy but one that pays the bills—crazy, right? In this Episode: How to develop a "portfolio career" and balance multiple roles without burning out. Practical tools for managing fear and impostor syndrome. Strategies for moving beyond overwhelm to set goals that actually move your career forward. Mindset shifts that can help musicians tap into their full potential. Highlights: (00:33) Angela talks about how musicians can find jobs they're great at, that people need, and that they might actually love. (03:33) "What does it take for people to be happy?" Angela explores the balance between success and enjoying the journey. (07:01) The "Magic Index Card" exercise—how simple actions today can move you toward your career goals. (16:53) Angela guides me through her “Cosmic Rage” tool to quiet fear and resistance. (26:49) We discuss the importance of mindset and how to shift from a victim mentality to one of empowerment. Memorable Quotes: "What we think of as success in terms of our career is just one component, and not being so obsessed with the outcome that you can't enjoy the journey is key." "We are all capable of so much more than we realize, and we don't know how much we are standing in our own way." "Successful musicians engage in specific patterns of thinking and behavior. It's these habits, beyond talent, that help them move ahead despite the inevitable challenges." Connect with Angela: Website: AngelaBeeching.com Sign up for the Pathfinder Guide: A free guide to help musicians who feel stuck or unsure about their next career move. Follow Angela on social media for more tips and advice on managing your career in music. Additional Links: Angela's book: Beyond Talent – A must-read for musicians looking to take control of their careers. A Big Thank You: Big thanks to our sponsor, the Yamaha Corporation of America. Yamaha has been a huge supporter of my career and the Honesty Pill Podcast since day one. Their commitment to music education, from marquee artists to beginners, is truly inspiring. Check them out at usa.yamaha.com. Stay tuned for more insightful conversations and diverse perspectives on music, practice, performance, and the business behind it all. Honesty Pill Links: Sign Up for Our Weekly Newsletter Honesty Pill Podcast Visit Our Blog Follow Us on Instagram Like Us on Facebook Additional Programs: Audition Accelerator Program: Dive into our intensive course designed to unlock your audition potential, empowering you with strategies, feedback, and insights to nail those high-stakes auditions. Learn more & Enroll Online Business Accelerator Program: Elevate your musical career with our program geared to equip you with the essential tools, strategies, and insights to build and scale your online music business effectively. Learn more & Enroll

Episode Title: Productivity, Mindset and Overcoming Roadblocks with Cami McLaren Introduction: In this insightful episode, we explore strategies for productivity, mindset shifts, and overcoming roadblocks with our guest Cami McLaren, founder of McLaren Coaching. Cami shares her unique perspective as a former lawyer who transitioned into coaching musicians and professionals from various fields. Get ready to dive into practical tips, thought-provoking discussions, and personal insights that will empower you to unlock your full potential. Key Discussion Points: Mindset Matters Importance of beliefs in achieving goals Overcoming self-limiting beliefs and assumptions Discussing "The Art of Possibility" by Ben Zander Productivity Tips Effective to-do list management and prioritization Multitasking vs. being present and focused Taking ownership and accountability Coaching for Growth Distinctions between coaching and teaching Power of asking open-ended questions Becoming aware of unconscious patterns Building a Successful Business Mindset around making money as a musician/creative Appreciating your worth and value-based pricing Cami's "GameChanger" workshops Overcoming Roadblocks Cami's personal journey transitioning from law to coaching Redefining identity and following your passion The Passion Planner tool for aligning goals Conclusion: Cami McLaren's insights offer a fresh perspective on productivity, mindset, and overcoming obstacles. Whether you're a musician, entrepreneur, or simply seeking personal growth, this episode provides valuable tools and strategies to help you thrive in your pursuits. Connect with Cami McLaren: Visit McLarenCoaching.com Follow Cami on social media @mclaren_coaching Additional Resources: Learn more about Cami's GameChanger workshops Explore the Passion Planner for goal alignment and productivity Stay Connected with Us: Subscribe to the Honesty Pill Podcast for more inspiring episodes Follow us on social media for updates and exclusive content

Show Notes: Episode Title: S3E40 - Emmanuel Ceysson: Mastering the Harp YouTube Video Link: Watch Here Introduction: In this captivating episode, we delve into the fascinating world of harp mastery with Emmanuel Ceysson. Join us as we explore his remarkable journey from starting the harp at the tender age of 7 to becoming a renowned professional harpist. Emmanuel shares insights into the challenges he faced as a male harpist, the intricacies of the pedal harp, and his unique approach to overcoming performance anxiety. Key Discussion Points: Early Beginnings and Unique Sound: Emmanuel's journey into the world of harp playing, starting at the age of 7. The allure of the harp's unique sound and its impact on Emmanuel's musical journey. Challenging Stereotypes: The obstacles faced by male harpists and the stereotypes associated with the instrument. Emmanuel's perspective on breaking through these stereotypes and carving his own path in the industry. Understanding the Pedal Harp: Detailed insights into how the pedal harp functions, including its unique tuning mechanism. Exploring the technical aspects of the pedal harp, with 7 strings per octave that can be altered with pedals. Historical Perspectives: A glimpse into the history and evolution of the harp, including the competition between pedal and chromatic harps in the late 19th century. Preparing for Auditions and Performance: Strategies for preparing for auditions on unfamiliar instruments and navigating inconsistent tuning. The visual impact of Emmanuel's iconic red Salzedo harp on stage. Orchestral Experience: Contrasting experiences of playing in symphony orchestras versus opera orchestras. Emmanuel's approach to learning orchestral repertoire, focusing on musicality over technical perfection. Overcoming Performance Anxiety: Insights into managing performance anxiety by focusing on personal growth rather than external validation. Emmanuel's journey in overcoming nerves and finding confidence in his craft. Conclusion: Emmanuel Ceysson's story is a testament to the power of dedication, perseverance, and passion in pursuing one's musical dreams. Whether you're an aspiring musician or a seasoned professional, this episode offers valuable insights into the world of harp performance and the art of mastering one's craft. Connect with Emmanuel Ceysson: Follow Emmanuel on Instagram @emmanuel_ceysson Visit Emmanuel's Website for more information and updates on his performances and projects. Additional Resources: Explore more of Emmanuel's performances and interviews on his YouTube Channel Acknowledgment: Special thanks to Emmanuel Ceysson for sharing his expertise and experiences with us. Don't forget to like, share, and subscribe for more insightful conversations with talented musicians like Emmanuel. Stay Connected with Us: Subscribe to the Honesty Pill YouTube Channel for the latest episodes and updates. Follow us on Instagram for behind-the-scenes content and exclusive updates. Sponsor Message: This episode is brought to you by the Yamaha Corporation of America. Visit Yamaha Corporation of America to learn more about their products and services.

In this episode of the Honesty Pill podcast, we sit down with Stephanie Thompson, a functional nutritionist with a unique background as both a musician and a nutrition expert. Stephanie shares invaluable insights on the pivotal role nutrition plays in a musician's performance, energy levels, and overall well-being. She delves into common dietary myths, offers practical advice for improving nutrition, and introduces her transformative program, "Play Like an Artist, Fuel Like an Athlete." Show Notes: Highlighting the Gap: Stephanie opens the discussion by addressing the often-overlooked aspect of nutrition in musicians' training compared to athletes. She emphasizes that musicians, much like athletes, require proper fueling of their bodies to perform at their best. Myth-Busting Diets: The conversation shifts to debunking popular diet trends, including keto and intermittent fasting, underscoring the importance of finding what genuinely works for each individual's unique needs. From Musician to Nutritionist: Stephanie shares her personal journey from being a professional orchestra musician to pursuing a career in functional nutrition. Her transition was motivated by her desire to help musicians navigate the complexities of food, energy, and nutrition. Introducing the Program: Stephanie introduces her upcoming program, "Play Like an Artist, Fuel Like an Athlete," a six-week deep dive designed to empower musicians with knowledge and strategies to optimize their nutrition, energy, and performance. The program aims to create a bridge between the worlds of music and athletics, highlighting the critical role of nutrition in artistic excellence. For more information and to enroll in the program, visit: Play Like an Artist, Fuel Like an Athlete  Conclusion: This episode sheds light on the crucial, yet often neglected, aspect of nutrition in the lives of musicians. Stephanie Thompson's expertise and personal journey inspire a holistic approach to musicians' health and performance, promising a path to not only excel in their craft but also improve their quality of life through better nutritional practices.

Show Notes: Hey everybody, welcome back to the Honesty Pill Podcast!

Show Notes: Welcome to the first episode of Season Three of the Honesty Pill Podcast! We're kicking off this season with a deep dive into the intersection of music mastery, performance, and entrepreneurship—a crucial area for musicians looking to expand and excel in their careers. We're chatting with Michelle Lynne, a musician who's not just sticking to the stage. She's weaving her talents as a pianist and singer with her knack for entrepreneurship, showing us how musical skills can open doors to diverse and rewarding career paths. Michelle's here to break things down, share her story, and provide some inspiration for fellow musicians wanting to wear multiple hats in the music world. In This Episode: Discover Michelle's journey from musician to musical entrepreneur, influencing audiences and students around the globe. Understand the importance of entrepreneurship in music and find the balance between musical passion and business savvy. Pick up some practical tips on personal branding, marketing, and building an online community around your musical journey. Highlights: 1. Music Meets Entrepreneurship: Learn how to translate musical talents into diverse and successful careers. Understand the entrepreneurial mindset that's key for musicians wanting to make a mark in the industry. 2. Building Brand and Community: Discover strategies for crafting a strong brand and fostering community connections, essential for sustaining a musical career. Learn about the power of networking and effective communication in establishing collaborative musical opportunities. Connect with Michelle Lynne: Website: Michelle Lynne's Website Instagram: @michellelynne Additional Links: The Fearless Artist Mastermind: TheFearlessArtistMastermind.com Stream "Hold On" Now: MichelleLynnePianist.com/New-Release Opus 16 Concerten: Opus16Concerten.nl Candlelight Concerts: CandlelightExperience.com Conclusion: Whether you're just starting out or you're a seasoned pro, this episode is packed with inspiring stories, actionable advice, and practical tips. Michelle's insights highlight the unlimited opportunities available in music, encouraging a balanced approach to building a fruitful musical career. A Big Thank You: Big thanks to our sponsor, the Yamaha Corporation of America. Stay tuned for more insightful conversations and diverse perspectives on music, practice, performance, and the business behind it all. Honesty Pill Links: Sign Up for Our Weekly Newsletter Honesty Pill Podcast Visit Our Blog Follow Us on Instagram Like Us on Facebook Additional Programs: Audition Accelerator Program: Dive into our intensive course designed to unlock your audition potential, empowering you with strategies, feedback, and insights to nail those high-stakes auditions. Learn more & Enroll Online Business Accelerator Program: Elevate your musical career with our program geared to equip you with the essential tools, strategies, and insights to build and scale your online music business effectively. Learn more & Enroll  

Episode 35 of the Honesty Pill Podcast is LIVE! My guest today is one of the most sought after young orchestral conductors in the classical music scene, Elim Chan. Here's a pop quiz for you: How many professional, female orchestra conductors can you name right now? Ready...go! How'd you do? Not so great? Need some help? I'm going to introduce you to just a few of the industry leading orchestral conductors who happen to be women, and whose names you need to know. We talk about life in Belgium, what it's like to travel the globe conducting the world's most prominent orchestra, and what rather unusual sport Elim likes to enjoy to wind down after a long week (hint: she's got a slick right hook!) We also address classical music's long standing gender problem, and what our arts organizations and schools need to be doing about it.   Enjoy and Happy Listening! Chris @ Honesty Pill The Honesty Pill Podcast is proud to be sponsored by the Yamaha Corporation of America. Thank you, Yamaha!   Links Elim's website: https://www.elimchan.nl/  

My guest today is actor, improviser, writer, producer and comic genius, Roni Geva. So, a nihilist, a realist, and an optimist walk into a bar... That's actually not a joke, just the backstory of how my guest today became the incredible human being that she is. A disclaimer and a trigger warning for this episode: the actor Will Smith is part of our conversation, but this interview was recorded before the slap heard 'round the world occurred. So when we don't bring up that topic, you will understand why. Also, this episode discusses abortion. Roni us one of the most hilarious, bubbly people I have ever met, and she is also a master at shining a spotlight on history, civil rights, and other very serious things. This episode is not totally serious--there's some amazing, behind-the-scenes info on how TV shows and movies are made. Also, we'll teach you a little bit of Hebrew. Enjoy and Happy Listening! Chris @ Honesty Pill The Honesty Pill Podcast is proud to be sponsored by the Yamaha Corporation of America. Thank you, Yamaha!

My guest today is the E-flat Clarinetist at the Metropolitan Opera Orchestra in New York, Jessica Phillips.  We're going to talk about her performance career, auditions, and how she ended up playing in one of the most regarded opera orchestras in the world, but Jessica has a lot more going on in her life than just playing the clarinet. We're going to dig into her life as an educator, musician entrepreneur and advocate for the arts.  Happy listening!  Chris @ Honesty Pill

My guest today is performer, coach and entrepreneur Elizabeth Gentner. And I just want to give you all a heads up, this was a heavy episode and we hit a lot of topics as you can tell from that intro clip, that I think are really critical and important to talk about so I am going to be quiet and let Elizabeth do most of the talking on this episode. I do just want to set this up by asking you the question, What do you think about the word, “Diva”? Is it a good thing? Is it a negative thing? Have you ever referred to someone as a diva, and if so, what were you trying to communicate? We're going to get Elizabeth's definition and find out why she is taking that word back, and even went as far as to name her website, coaching and brand after the word by becoming, The Red Diva.com.

My guest today is transformational voice coach, singer, pianist, musician, composer, author, multi-instrumentalist and teacher, Helane Marie Anderson.  For those of you who have been listening to the podcast for a while, and were wondering, “What is a sound healer” that I always mention in the intro, you're going to find out exactly what that is and why you need to know about it in today's episode.   Helane has had an incredibly varied career doing all of the things I just mentioned, including being a praised in LA Magazine as “a healer who sings like an angel, taking you into the celestial world with her voice paired with crystal singing bowls, chimes and alchemical bowls.” Enjoy and Happy Listening.  The Honesty Pill Podcast is proud to be sponsored by the Yamaha Corporation of America. Thank you, Yamaha! LINKS Website: www.sacralsounds.com Instagram: @sacralsoundsla Facebook Page: Sacral Sounds Book: "You are Meant to Sing"

My guest today is the founder of “Audition Confidential” coaching for musicians, and cellist with the Los Angeles Philharmonic Gloria Lum. If you've ever wanted a helicopter view of the orchestra audition process, taken an audition and not advanced, or been involved at an audition where nobody even got hired, this episode is for you. Gloria is going to unpack exactly what committees are looking for, and give you some strategic ways to make sure you are giving it to them when it counts…under pressure. And a quick announcement that Gloria's program “The 360 Method to Audition Preparation” specifically designed to help cellists nail their auditions is launching in a few weeks. You're going to find out where you can book a totally free discovery call and learn more about that during our conversation. OK let's hop into my conversation with Gloria and find out what rocket science has to do with audition strategy. Enjoy and Happy Listening.  The Honesty Pill Podcast is proud to be sponsored by the Yamaha Corporation of America. Thank you, Yamaha! LINKS Website: Audition Confidential Instagram: @auditionconfidential Facebook: Audition Confidential Group  

My guest today is Los Angeles Philharmonic Principal Trumpet, Tom Hooten. We're going to talk about the three rules that Tom applies to EVERYTHING when it comes to playing the trumpet. He's going to share the details with you, right here. Think a player like Tom just sits around thinking and reading about nothing but the trumpet all day? I am willing to bet that the book he is going to recommend is NOT on your current reading list. And stick around until the end, because Tom has just launched a really accessible and impactful video series called, “Studio Time with Tom” that you are going to want to check out. Enjoy and happy listening!  The Honesty Pill Podcast is proud to be sponsored by the Yamaha Corporation of America. Thank you, Yamaha! LINKS Instagram: @tomhooten Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TomHootenTrumpet/ Website: https://tomhooten.com/ Email: Trumpetmastery2020@gmail.com Amazon store: https://www.amazon.com/s?me=AKME9HG4KQMU5&marketplaceID=ATVPDKIKX0DER

My guest today is Los Angeles Philharmonic violist Mick Wetzel, who in addition to being a world class musician, is also the founder of The Viola Pro coaching for musicians on auditions, competitions and really tactical ideas on how to practice. We're going to talk about his own audition journey, how he learned to deal with performance anxiety and pressure, and exactly what Mick does in his OWN practice room to get ready to walk on stage at the Walt Disney Concert Hall week after week. Mick is also going to debunk a huge myth about whether or not talent has anything to do with being successful. What a great topic. I have to say, being a brass player and aiming my trumpet directly at the back of Mick's head in the LA Phil for the past decade and a half, the fact that we are still friends speaks to Mick's incredibly professional and friendly demeanor. And he's a pretty big dude too, so I'm really grateful we get along. Listen all the way to the end of this one, because The Viola Pro has some brand-new programs coming up that you are going to want to know about. Enjoy and happy listening!  The Honesty Pill Podcast is proud to be sponsored by the Yamaha Corporation of America. Thank you, Yamaha! LINKS Mick Wetzel (Facebook) mick.wetzel (Instagram) theviolapro (Instagram) theviolapro.com (website)

My guest today is the self-proclaimed “Unfussy Oboist” Jennet Ingle. I love that title…can't wait to hear the explanation. Jennet, who in addition to being the Principal Oboist of the South Bend Symphony Orchestra, is also the creator of tons of online resources for musicians, including her signature group program, Invincible Oboist, that helps oboists get past the struggle to find ease in their playing. Sounds pretty good! She also created the Reed Club, that meets every Monday online for social connection and actual making of fantastic oboe reeds, and a group for beginning reed makers called, “Zero to Reedmaker” which has group classes and elements of accountability. She even has a big announcement about a book that she just wrote and that's coming out soon! Wow…that's a lot of reed talk, and since I am the opposite of an expert on making or playing oboe reeds, let's get right to my conversation with Jennet Ingle. The Honesty Pill Podcast is proud to be sponsored by the Yamaha Corporation of America. Thank you, Yamaha! LINKS @jennetingleoboist on Facebook @jennetingle on instagram www.jennetingle.com is my website @jennetingle on YouTube

My guest today is composer and founder of “The Wizarding School for Composers”  …can't wait for you guys to hear about that… musician entrepreneur Joseph Sowa. Musicians, let me ask you a question…you PLAY music all the time…but have you ever WRITTEN a piece of music? DO you even have a clue how you might go about trying to do that? And, if you were going to work on writing a piece of music…how would you know when it's done? We're going to get a behind the scenes glimpse at what a professional composer's creative process looks like. So, you've written a piece of music…now, how do you get it performed? Joseph is going to talk about ways to effectively grow your network and connect with the people who have the connections to get your music on stage. The Honesty Pill Podcast is proud to be sponsored by the Yamaha Corporation of America. Thank you, Yamaha! Show Notes and Links http://www.josephsowa.com  

My guest today is the Principal Percussionist of the Los Angeles Philharmonic, one of the most friendly musicians you could ever work with, my friend and colleague, Matt Howard. Sports, sports, and more sports…today's episode is a straight up masterclass on how being a professional musician is completely parallel to being a professional athlete.   Think your tenure process was tough? Make sure you listen all the way to the end for an unbelievable story about the types of hoops LA Phil musicians jump through to make our boss, Gustavo Dudamel happy. Worried that you got a “late start” in classical music? Wait until you hear the surprising success timeline for someone who later became one of the world's premiere orchestral players… He wasn't at all competitive Had never heard his hometown orchestra until he was a senior He mostly just played drums in a rock band Didn't practice Didn't take lessons And when he finally decided that we wanted to go to college for music, he only applied to one college, into which he did not get accepted. Sound like a roadmap to success? You might be surprised… Matt's going to share some amazing advice on how to prepare for an audition, how to effectively use a metronome, and we're even going to find out who he thinks is the greatest drummer of all time. You're even going to get a free percussion rudiments lesson from Matt, totally for free by listening to this podcast…you're welcome. Enjoy and happy listening!  The Honesty Pill Podcast is proud to be sponsored by the Yamaha Corporation of America. Thank you, Yamaha! LINKS Matthew Howard, LA Phil Bio  

My guest today is vocalist, voice coach and podcast host Gina Morgano, and her website bio copy is so awesome I'm not even going to try and find a better way to say it, so let me just read this for you… “Gina Morgano is a radical romantic who believes in using her voice as an instrument of peace. She interprets uplifting stories with timeless fancy, inspiring hope so that goodness may shine.” Well, I don't know about you listener, but can we agree that all of us could use a little more shining goodness in our world right now? Yes? Okay. Good. What else can I tell you about Gina… She's a vocal soloist, chorister in her sixth season as a performer with National Chorale at Lincoln Center's David Geffen Hall, and is also an avid recitalist and cabaret artist throughout the country. And just to jump off her resume credentials for a second, Gina is a true creator. From her podcast and Facebook Group a downloadable practice planner and workbook for musicians to a reading library called the “Singer's Bookshelf” You are going to find a ton of inspiration and knowledge on her website ginamorgano.com Enough teasing, let's get into my conversation with Gina! The Honesty Pill Podcast is proud to be sponsored by the Yamaha Corporation of America. Thank you, Yamaha! Links www.GinaMorgano.com @GinaMorgano on FB, TY and IG contact@ginamorgano.com

My guest today is Scott Quackenbush, Principal Trumpet Omaha Symphony, Owner and Founder of Creative Measures, and it's worth mentioning that as a fellow homebrewer of excellent beer, Scott has developed a killer Double IPA recipe, which, by the way…I'm still waiting on that bottle to arrive in the mail, Scott… We're going to tackle the questions: Is there a linear path to becoming successful as an artist, and if so, what would that even look like? What does the phrase, “Neurodiverse strategies from a neurodivergent mind” mean and where did it come from? What is the ONE book you need to read if you want to learn more about how the ADHD mind works And Scott is going to give you deliberate practice strategies for musicians with ADHD that are TOTALLY relevant for anyone… If that's not enough, we're even gonna talk smack about people who we went to elementary school with… Ok…that's enough teasing…here we go… The Honesty Pill Podcast is proud to be sponsored by the Yamaha Corporation of America. Thank you, Yamaha! Show Notes and Links Register for Scott's list and get his "In-STEP Practicing: 5 Practice Strategies for ADHD Musicians" guide right HERE.  www.takecreativemeasures.com https://www.instagram.com/takecreativemeasures https://www.facebook.com/Creative-Measures-106974531097248 Youtube: Take Creative Measures The ONE book to read on ADHD, "Driven to Distraction" by Edward Hallowell.     

My guest today is Violinist & EFT Coach for Musicians & Stage Artists, Jenny Clift! OK, listeners, raise your hand if you know what an EFT coach is… OK I see a few of you with their hands in the air...good for you! Personally, I had no idea what this technique was before I met Jenny and I found it so helpful and frankly mind-blowing that I had to have her as a guest on this show so you could learn about it too. Jenny is going to take ME through an actual EFT tapping session and explain what it means, some tips on adding tapping to your meditation sessions, and how to do it on your own at home. One of the things we talk about in this episode is “The Power of Neutral”, when things in our lives get stressful or you're feeling negative, how to get yourself to back neutral and actually create mental space for the positive thoughts to come back in. I know I could definitely use some help with that sometimes, and if YOU are going to be spending some extended time visiting family over the Holidays, you are going to want to take some notes from this episode! Oh, and by the way, the results are in and this episode registered a 9.2 on the “Woo Scale”, so for all of my Vortex, Universal Energy, Unicorn Type listeners who already know and love Jenny Clift's work…you're welcome. Enjoy!  The Honesty Pill Podcast is proud to be sponsored by the Yamaha Corporation of America. Thank you, Yamaha!   Show Notes and Links Subscribe to Jenny's list and get her "Shine on Stage: 10 Energy Tips to Banish Performance Anxiety" right HERE.  View Jenny's "Tapping Points" PDF right HERE. Watch Jenny's "Make Space for Greatness" Youtube video right HERE.  Website: https://abetterlifetapping.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/abetterlifetapping/ YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/c/JennyCliftCoachingEFTtappingintoabetterlife Email: jenny@jennyclift.com  

I'm so excited to welcome Lisa Husseini, Professional Coach and Author of a brand-new book, which you'll find out about in a minute, and Lisa is going to walk us through her journey from being a conservatory trained flutist to arts management and finally evolving into a powerhouse business coach. Here's a quick quiz for you…what's the difference between a coach, a teacher, and a therapist? Lisa is going to unpack all of that too. Oh, and by the way, one more thig…be sure to listen all the way to the end of this episode for a fun giveaway for one Honesty Pill listener…who's it going to be? Is it you? Let's listen to the show and find out… Links www.lisahusseini.com www.facebook.com/thelisahusseini www.instagram.com/lisanajibe  

My guest today is the amazing Gin Walker who is an actor, and as I like to call her, “Copy Consultant to the Stars”, and once you get to meet her, you'll realize that her word smithing skills are eclipsed only by her energy and sense of humor. Let me ask you a question… do you consider yourself a good writer? And I don't mean of novels or screenplays but of the type of writing we need to use every day in our communication with the people who are interested in what we do for a living. I'm talking about emails, social media posts, or even copy you would find on a website. Because if you're like most musicians you are better at playing your instrument than you are at talking about it and that includes when it comes time to send out those emails. I wanted to talk to Gin on the podcast because and forgive me for saying so but most musicians are terrible writers specifically when it comes to talking about what we do for a living. And it's really important especially in the hybrid environment that we're all living in online. Like all of the guests on my podcast, Gin is going to give you actionable advice on how you can evolve the way you create and structure your written communication and messaging. How Gin uses her experience as an actor to “step into character” when helping her clients write emails and social media posts There is so much in this interview that I'm going to stop talking right now and let you get to it… let's listen to my conversation with Gin Walker. The Honesty Pill Podcast is proud to be sponsored by the Yamaha Corporation of America. Thank you, Yamaha! Links I'm on Instagram at @copygenie and on FB as Gin Walker, Copy Expert at https://www.facebook.com/copygenie. Website is ginwalker.com Email copygenie@ginwalker.com  

My guest today is social media giant, classical musician, founder of the podcast “Faking Notes”, hip-hop artist, and…a viola player. We are talking to Drew Alexander Forde, also known by over a hundred thousand followers on Instagram as, That Viola Kid” We're going to dig into some of the issues facing classical musicians and how we market our work, we're going to talk about being broke and figuring out how to hustle for the rent money, we're going to talk about where he got the name “That Viola Kid” and how he grew his social media following to the top two percent of the entire platform. If you've ever wondered how to get your message out, how you define being successful, or needed a 101 intro into the world of Hip-Hop music, this one is for you. The Honesty Pill Podcast is proud to have the Yamaha Corporation of America as our keynote sponsor!  Links The Faking Notes Podcast Thatviolakid.com instagram.com/thatviolakid YouTube.com/thatviolakid Twitter.con/thatviolakid "The Rap Yearbook" Shea Serrano

From jazz bass players to food bloggers, opera singers to business coaches, beauty company founders, composers, electronic violinists, kid's songs writers and arts administration trail blazers––Season One of the Honesty Pill podcast had a LOT packed into it.  Join me for a look back on some of the absolutely fabulous moments in our show's first season.  And THANK YOU for listening all season, thank you for your emails, your ideas and your generous reviews. My Honesty Pill audience is the BEST! See you next season! Chris @ Honesty Pill      

My guest today is clarinetist, musician entrepreneur, founder of eco-beauty company Take My Face Off, and also my incredible wife, Amanda McIntosh. So, what do you think of the idea that if you have an interest other than just playing our instrument, that you're not a serious musician? Mandy is going to debunk that myth, and give you her favorite curse word filled self-help book recommendation. Some other topics we cover on the show today: What to do when your studio teacher looks you right in the eye and says, “Are you sure you want to do this clarinet thing? Maybe orchestra is not the place for you”…ouch. What exactly is an extroverted introvert…and what's the best way to feed and care for one…hint..…give them a quiet space and a stack of books. And why does anything that is authentic, non-airbrushed and unexpected perform so well on social media? You'll hear about the Storyline System that Amanda has developed for anyone ready to stop worrying over “what to post” everyday. You're going to find out about all of that and a lot more in my conversation with Amanda McIntosh, right now… About Amanda Amanda McIntosh has always loved skincare and makeup, but it never occurred to her that she could make a career out of them. Encouraged by her musical father (thanks, Dad!), she started off life as a classical musician and worked in symphony orchestras in Europe. Later, she joined the consulting practice founded by her mother (way to go, Mom!), and helped companies all of over the world improve their customer service operations. On the way home from playing a concert a few years ago, she remembered that all of her washcloths were in the dirty laundry. A friend had turned Amanda on to a cleansing routine that required a washcloth. It was a great routine, except for the fact that washcloths were gross. She hated her stash of terrycloth, bamboo, and microfiber rags. She couldn't find anything better. Since she refused to spend more money on things she didn't like, she often ran out before laundry day. As she pulled into her driveway late that night, Amanda decided she would be the person to reinvent the washcloth. How hard could it be to create something less coarse, less clumsy, and less ugly? Turns out, it was really hard. Hundreds of fabrics, many sewing machines, lots of legal mumbo jumbo, and several trade shows later, the Mitty was born. As she developed the brand, Amanda learned more about beauty-related pollution. And so her project became a mission—she decided to offer products so beautiful, convenient, and effective that it would be easy for consumers to ditch their disposables. Take My Face Off products first hit stores as part of the Sephora Collection. The Mitty can now be found in prestige and specialty retail stores across the country, as well as online. Amanda is busy planning new product launches as well as eyeing expansions into other areas, such as men's grooming and children's products. She is a proud founding member of The F Project, a social-impact initiative aimed at raising the profile and economic success of female founders. Take My Face Off's ultimate mission is to make it easy for consumers to improve the planet and their skin at the same time. All Take My Face Off products have quantifiable environmental benefits, but we also collaborate with and donate to organizations such as the Ocean Conservancy, Heal the Bay, the Pollinator Partnership, and the Trevor Project. Links Website: www.takemyfaceoff.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/takemyfaceoff/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/takemyfaceoff Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/319069689548517 The Storyline System™ Other Links Duchess Goldblatt Twitter Feed Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can't Stop Talking, Susan Cain. You Are A Badass, Jen Sincero  

My guest today is Digital Fiddler, Global Netizen, Reinvention Coach and Cultural Devotee, Todd Reynolds. How's that for an into title! What can I say about this episode…Todd is the ultimate storyteller, both through his music and his words. While you're going to get some seriously technical information during this interview, it's also like, “story time with friends”. Todd's going to give you a straight up masterclass on how broadcast quality microphones work, you're going to hear his awesome Jascha Heifetz impression…your welcome. And if you're afraid of improvising on your instrument, he's going to give you an awesome hack use can use today, right now, in your practice room. And if you're like me and dislike the term “classical music” Todd is going to explain what HE likes to call, "present music”, and how successful performance is directly related to mindfulness, and even meditation. Oh, and one more thing…I've got a brand new training coming up in two weeks, so you'll want to listen all the way to the end. OK…Let's dig in to my conversation with Todd Reynolds. About Todd I, Todd Reynolds, am a solo classical violinist gone horribly wrong. I started on a violin made of a standard elementary school ruler taped onto a Grape Nuts box and grew up playing all the sonatas and concertos that all the other kids did. I played in church by my father's side for what seemed like an eternal adolescence, and by some stroke of good fortune, found myself in one of the last classes of the great Jascha Heifetz where he counseled me to sell insurance for the sake of my own happiness. In college, I became completely enamored with playing the music of living composers - it got me completely hooked on non-historic ways of thinking about music, stretching me beyond my planned trajectory. But then I won an audition and completely dropped out of school. In my third year of playing Principal Second Violin in the Rochester Philharmonic, I broke. Since the very moment I quit my job, I've reinvented myself four times, at least. First as Broadway musician, then as the creator of a new kind of amplified string quartet, then as a ‘composer in the woods' recording artist, and finally, refocusing as an educator - not that that's anywhere near the end of things. Now, and for the past 25 years, I've called myself a hybrid musician. I play with some of my long time idols - singer/songwriters, global musicians, minimalists, electronica artists, rock stars, New Music heroes, classical music heroes - I count them all my friends, colleagues and collaborators. I record, teach, and perform with my studio onstage and off, study Indian music, jazz, music programming, psychology, and mindfulness to varying degrees as disciplines. I'm as much a student as a teacher. That will never change. If you ever find the opposite? Run. Four years ago, I felt the industry changing yet again. CDs - gone, Broadway jobs - gone, commercial work - gone. My health was starting to go as well. My partner, Isabelle, and I moved to a beautiful place in the country, to pull it all together and build a community for teaching and supporting those seeking to do the same - to develop the tools for reinvention and expansion, and to look deeper into what it all means to be a musician today. You see, we musicians, we're not our instrument, we're not the music we studied, we are creators through and through, whatever form that expression takes. It is with the questions that we slay the dragon, not with our virtuosity. The Hero's Journey exists for us as it does for anyone else, and we need only to walk forward with eyes open and a backpack full of good questions (and great gear), and we'll find our next dragon. I've created this program, the inaugural one for my new(ish) online academy, for fellow musicians who feel that same nagging suspicion that ‘the box' they currently inhabit is too small to contain them, that the times we're living in are calling them forth to something larger, that they too want to think of themselves as creators, as storytellers, as activists, and agents of change. Todd's Links http://www.toddreynolds.com http://facebook.com/toddreynoldsmusic http://instagram.com/digifiddler  http://twitch.tv/digifiddler todd@toddreynolds.com Todd's gear: https://kit.co/digifiddler Other Links Drone Practice App “Droneo” Honesty Pill Links The Online Business Accelerator-6 Month Group Coaching Program Free Resource Library Facebook Group Mailing List

My guest today is opera singer, business coach, and writer, Maren Montalbano. A graduate of Tufts University and the New England Conservatory of Music, Maren has sung at Carnegie Hall in NYC, Walt Disney Concert Hall in LA, multiple theaters in Europe, and even performed on stage, get this...with the Rolling Stones. Wow.  But Maren's career has suffered right along with the rest of us during this past year, but that didn't slow her down. When live performances disappeared during the pandemic, Maren turned her focus to the online world: writing, producing, and premiering a one-woman show called The Bodice Ripper Project as an interactive digital performance at the Philadelphia Fringe Festival. That show, along with the accompanying podcast of the same name, became an exploration of sexuality, feminism, and the journey to self-empowerment through the lens of romance novels. Guys, if you haven't listened to The Bodice Ripper podcast, put it at the top of your list...it's super fun and you might even learn a little bit about opera while you're at it.  Maren is passionate about uplifting and amplifying new and diverse voices in classical music, which has fueled her work as a business coach for musicians. We're going to debunk some singer stereotypes, hear about Maren's experience working on a cruise ship when she was only eight years old... You're even going to learn what it means to slow down, meditate and move at what Maren calls "the speed of plants". That actually sounds pretty good given our world these days.  Alright––let's get to it and dig into my conversation with Maren Montalbano. Links Maren's Current Program: Inspiration to Implementation Singing: https://marenmontalbano.com Coaching: https://askmaren.com Podcast: https://bodiceripperproject.com Instagram: https://instagram.com/supermaren Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/maren.montalbano/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/supermaren/ Here is a link to the YouTube video we talked about on the show...it's a must watch!  Honesty Pill Links The Online Business Accelerator-6 Month Group Coaching Program Free Resource Library Facebook Group Mailing List About Maren I am an artist who is passionate about elevating and amplifying new and diverse voices into the world. My world is one of classical music, which has traditionally been riddled with systemic racism, sexism, and classism. I believe right now in this industry we are undergoing a paradigm shift, and that the institutions which have been upholding these oppressive systems are crumbling in the face of the pandemic. Individuals have much more influence now than they ever have, and I am excited about creating a new, more equitable paradigm - not only in classical music, but across the world. My music career began at age three on the violin (my mom is a violinist, and she started me in on Suzuki, which she was also teaching). I ended up getting quite good: landing concertmaster of my middle school orchestra in 7th grade and taking private lessons at San Francisco Conservatory. I was being groomed for the Tchaikovsky Competition…but there was a lot of pressure to practice all the time, and it made me miserable. It was my mother's dream, not mine, that I be a virtuoso violinist. I quit violin at age 13 and focused on singing. As a singer, I find my voice makes me a conduit between the tangible and the intangible. The music I sing communicates to something deeper that resides in all of us, and helping people tap into that well feeds my soul. My one-woman show, The Bodice Ripper Project, was born out of romance scenes I used to write backstage at the opera. I read them aloud to my fellow cast members in the dressing room, to everyone's delight, and someone suggested I set it to music. That idea turned into a one-woman opera/cabaret hybrid show, which then evolved into an interactive digital performance at the Philadelphia Fringe Festival (thanks to COVID), and even an accompanying podcast of the same name! Writing the show provided much-needed focus for me during stay-at-home orders, but it also created a unique opportunity for me to explore an incident of childhood sexual abuse in my past, transmute that pain into art, and in the process, heal and empower myself. The transformation that I experienced working on that show was profound, and I will be ever grateful to the time I was given in this pandemic to slow down and really process these deep wounds. In addition to writing and performing, I also am a business coach for musicians. I worked for many years in arts administration (most recently as the Operations Manager for the GRAMMY Award winning choir The Crossing), and I see so many people in the classical music field come out of music school with lots of technical know-how on their instrument but very little practical real-world experience. This makes them more likely to look to a larger organization like an opera company or a symphony for job stability...but those gigs are very competitive, and as I mentioned above, the entire job search is rife with systemic oppression. I believe there is a better way for artists to get their voices heard. Creating and producing your own art is easier than you think, and I use my experience in arts administration to teach the basics of marketing, budgeting, fundraising, and networking to my students. Artists I work with are able to use the skills I teach to produce their own tours, albums, and recitals, bringing their work directly to the audiences without the need for a gatekeeper. I'm entering into my second season of The Bodice Ripper Project podcast, and this season will be focused more on other artists and their stories. I always ask my audience how they will rip their own bodice and let their true selves out...so as I interview authors, composers, and performing artists, I intend on finding out more about their creative processes and what the metaphor of bodice-ripping means to them.

My guest today is Business Coach Jennifer Rosenfeld, and if you're a fan of this podcast you probably already know who she is. Jennifer works with top musicians to create profitable and impactful online education businesses that enable her clients to win back their time and pursue their dream creative projects. Did you catch that musicians...win back your time and pursue your dream projects. If you are a musician who feels out of control right now, feels depleted, or feels overworked and underpaid, than this episode is for you. There literally is no one else who is having as much of an impact on the music industry, helping musician entrepreneurs completely transformed their lives as Jennifer. A leading arts entrepreneurship educator and speaker, Jennifer has worked with nonprofits, University music programs and conservatory's, and professional musicians on developing a wide range of educational and artistic projects. So many of the people in my own circles have worked with her and the ripple effect of her impact is kind of mind blowing. We're going to talk about her favorite TV shows, favorite types of cheese, and maybe even a little bit of business development talk. Get out a pen and paper because you're going to want to take notes on this one, let's dig into my conversation with Jennifer Rosenfeld. About Jennifer Business coach Jennifer Rosenfeld collaborates with top musicians to create profitable and impactful online education businesses that enable her clients to win back their time and pursue their dream creative projects. A leading arts entrepreneurship educator and speaker, Rosenfeld has worked with non-profits, university music programs and conservatories, and professional musicians on developing a wide range of educational and artistic projects. She received her JD/MBA from Stanford University. Links Facebook Group: Millionaire Musician Website: www.jenniferrosenfeld.com Books "Overcoming Underearning", Barbara Stanny "The Big Leap", Gay Hendricks Honesty Pill Links Online Business Accelerator 2.0 six month program Free Resource Library Facebook Group Mailing List

My guest today is composer Alexandra Garner, who actually never intended to work in music at all. Growing up Alex thought she was going to become an illustrator and draw covers for The New Yorker magazine. Becoming a composer never crossed her mind and she even assumed that composers were just “dead guys in powdered wigs”. It wasn't until she enrolled in an electronic music class during her freshman year of college, that she realized she could make her own sounds from scratch and combine them into anything she wanted. She has been praised as highly lyrical and provocative of thought by the San Francisco classical voice, mesmerizing by the New York times, and her music Regularly performed as the composer in residence of the Seattle Symphony. Links Website: https://alexandragardner.net/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/alexgardner Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alexgardner/ Email: alex@alexandragardner.net Alexandra's composition "Coyote Turns"  Honesty Pill Links Online Business Accelerator 2.0 six month program Free Resource Library Facebook Group Mailing List About Alexandra Praised as "highly lyrical and provocative of thought" (San Francisco Classical Voice),"mesmerizing" (The New York Times), and "pungently attractive" (The Washington Post), the music of composer Alexandra Gardner (b. 1967) is thrilling audiences and performers alike with a clear, expressive sound and a flair for the imaginative and unexpected. She composes for varied instrumentations and often mixes acoustic instruments with electronics, blending lyricism, rhythmic exploration, textural constructions, and a love of sonic storytelling. Alexandra's compositions are regularly featured at festivals and venues around the world, including the Aspen Music Festival, Beijing Modern Festival, Centro de Cultura Contemporania de Barcelona, Festival Cervantino, Grand Teton Music Festival, The Kennedy Center, The Library of Congress, Merkin Hall, Strathmore Music Center, Symphony Space, and the Warsaw Autumn Festival. As the Seattle Symphony 2017-18 Season Composer-in-Residence, Alexandra spent several months in Seattle for composing and educational projects. Her new symphonic work, Significant Others, was commissioned by SSO and premiered on the orchestra's subscription series under the baton of Music Director Ludovic Morlot. She also led workshops with LGBTQ+ youth affected by homelessness to create a collaborative composition entitled Stay Elevated, which was performed by musicians of the symphony at the Seattle Art Museum, and directed the Merriman Family Young Composers Workshop, leading 10 pre-college students in a 12-week program culminating in a performance of world premieres. Recent projects include Fade for flute and soundtrack, commissioned by the National Flute Association, Hummingbird Dreams, commissioned by Astral Artists for pianist Natalia Kazaryan, and an adaptation of her orchestra work Just Say Yes for a consortium of wind ensembles. Current works in progress include a quartet for Sandbox Percussion and a work for flute, harp, and percussion commissioned by the American Harp Society. Among Alexandra's honors and awards are recognitions from American Composers Forum, ASCAP, Mid-America Arts Alliance, DC Commission for the Arts and Humanities, The National Endowment for the Arts, The Netherland-America Foundation, and the Smithsonian Institution. She is a recipient of the Vassar College W.K. Rose Fellowship in the Creative Arts, a 2018 Rubys Artist Project Grant from the Robert W. Deutsch Foundation, and most recently a 2020 Maryland State Arts Council Individual Artist Award. She has conducted residencies at the Atlantic Center for the Arts, Harvestworks, Liz Lerman Dance Exchange, The MacDowell Colony, and Willapa Bay AiR, and spent two years as a visiting composer at the Institut Universitari de l'Audiovisual in Barcelona, Spain. Her music is recorded on the Innova, Ars Harmonica, and Naxos labels. For the past several years, Alexandra has maintained a private teaching studio and coaching business. She helps composers lead creative and fruitful musical lives through coaching and mentoring, giving masterclasses and workshops, and facilitating dialog and discussion related to artistic career development and the nature of creativity. Alexandra holds degrees from The Peabody Institute of The Johns Hopkins University and Vassar College. She lives in Baltimore, MD with her wife and their very bossy cat Longfellow. For more information, please visit www.alexandragardner.net.

My guest today is Dr. Fabiana Claure of the University of North Texas and creator of the Musician's Profit Umbrella. I was lucky enough to sit down with Fabiana in between her OWN online appointments and coaching sessions…this is our new way of commuting, right? From one side of the country to the other in 30 seconds. In this interview we talk about women in music, earthquakes, and what to do when you concert clothes start falling off in the middle of a performance. Yup…that happens. By the way if you're wondering how to balance artistic, professional, and personal pursuits like raising a family, creating and run several businesses all while being a powerful advocate for women entrepreneurs, keep listening, because Fabiana has got it totally figured out. I hope you enjoy this conversation with the amazing Dr. Fabiana Claure. About Fabiana Dr. Fabiana Claure helps musicians ignite new income opportunities and expand their impact so that they can live a financially empowered, artistically fulfilled, and family-centered life. As a multifaceted concert pianist, educator, entrepreneur, business coach for musicians, and administrator, she has a diverse musical career and successful business experience. Her international background—having lived in the US, Bolivia, and Cuba—has allowed her to gain an empowering and global perspective towards music and entrepreneurship education. Fabiana coaches musicians and consults for organizations all around the world, through her signature framework, the Musician's Profit Umbrella™. Her clients have gone on to build thriving music coaching and teaching business by combining all their various skill sets from their professional, personal, and artistic sides. She is the Founder and Director of the Music Business and Entrepreneurship program at the University of North Texas, where she is spearheading a major initiative designed to equip young musicians with key music business and entrepreneurship skills to support 21st century artistic careers. In this role, Fabiana has designed a new curriculum and founded several experiential learning programs. As a result of these initiatives, her students have gone on to raise start-up funds and create successful music businesses while in school. Under Fabiana's leadership, the UNT College of Music earned national recognition being ranked among the Top 15 Music Business Schools in 2017, 2018, and 2019, by Billboard magazine. Links Website: www.fabianaclaure.com FB Group: https://bit.ly/musicianscp Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fabiana.claure/. FB: https://www.facebook.com/fabianaclaurepianist Amy Cuddy's "Your body language may shape who you are.” Honesty Pill Links Online Business Accelerator 2.0 six month program Free Resource Library Facebook Group Mailing List  

My guest today is an award-winning recording artist, performer and children's music specialist Ellen Allard. We cover a lot of ground in this one, including Ellen's awesome presentation advice about staying flexible in the moment and not being afraid to let go of the script. So basically if anyone out there is talking or teaching or connecting with an audience, your going to want to hear this. Other topics today will include: Uncovering a long lost Yiddish opera A quick lesson on Orff rhythm pneumatics that you and your kids can use right now, What it was like for Ellen to grow up studying piano with a certified Russian princess…what? And, do you want a quick Yiddish lesson? Of course you do–––the Honesty Pill podcast has you covered. We even have a visit from a few of Ellen's favorite puppets, and even though you won't be able to see it…trust me, it was awesome. Alright––let's dig in to my interview with Ellen Allard. Links  Instagram: @ellenallardmusic Facebook: Ellen Allard Music Facebook: Music Teachers Rock Website: www.ellenallard.com YouTube: Ellen Allard Twitter: Ellen Loves Music LinkedIn: Ellen Allard   Honesty Pill Links Online Business Accelerator 2.0 six month program Free Resource Library Facebook Group Mailing List About Ellen: ELLEN ALLARD, a multi-award-winning Recording Artist, Performer, Music Educator, Composer, and Confidence Coach, is one of the most sought after performers in Jewish music. With a strong commitment to nurturing community through music, Ellen has a unique, charismatic, charming, and heartwarming way of inviting audiences to join in playful singing, whether she is performing a concert, presenting a workshop, or conducting her interactive, engaging worship services for young children through senior citizens. Ellen holds a BA in music from Boston University and a Master's in education from Arcadia University. She is a certified holistic health coach, baby/toddler yoga teacher, Kidding Around Yoga and Yoga Yeladim teacher, and Rhythm ‘n' Ruach teacher. She lives in Boston, MA and has two daughters and sons-in-law who have blessed her with six grandchildren and one rambunctious grand-dog. If asked, she will extoll the virtues of eating dark chocolate daily.

My guest today is a world renowned musician, course creator and author of a series of books from the acclaimed “Low Down Publishing” company, jazz bassist Danny Ziemann in the studio today. We're going to talk about how his bass playing took him from living in the freezing cold tundra that is northern New York, to living all the way, in the freezing cold tundra that is Vienna, Austria. OK, maybe Vienna isn't exactly a tundra, but everything seems freezing cold to me compared to southern California, so…there's that. If you've ever wondered what it might sound like to rework the bass lines of a Beethoven symphony, What Shostakovich and Count Basie were doing in the same classroom, Or if a person who started out as a heavy metal guitarist playing seedy bar gigs could transform into a world class jazz bassist, We are going to deal with all of that, and more. You're even going to find out exactly WHAT is fermenting in Danny's pantry, right at this very moment. Turn the treble all the way down and the bass all the way up, because it's time to talk with Danny Ziemann. Links Instagram: @danny.ziemann Facebook: Danny Ziemann Publishing: Low Down Publishing Website: www.dannyziemann.com Books/Recordings "I'm Old Fashioned", Jerome Kern, (Danny Ziemann Trio) Kind of Blue, Miles Davis Chet Baker Sings, Chet Baker Honesty Pill Links Free Resource Library Facebook Group Mailing List About Danny For Danny Ziemann, being a musician was inevitable. A native of Buffalo, New York, Danny's passion for music began at age nine with dreams of becoming a heavy metal guitar virtuoso. A couple of years later, though, he was introduced to jazz bass and that was the end of that. After hearing a Ray Brown recording, the steady pulse and sound of a walking bass line was hypnotic for him. The supportive role of the bass suited his personality while allowing him the freedom to improvise. Danny's love for music took him through a Bachelor's and Master's degree at the Eastman School of Music, where he studied with Jeff Campbell, James Van Demark, and Bill Dobbins. After college, Danny was mentored by bass legend Larry Grenadier, a veteran of the Brad Mehldau Trio.  As a professional jazz bassist, Danny performs internationally and records copiously. Right out of college, he was invited to tour with Gordon Webster and began touring with him internationally a few years later. In 2017, Danny was first bassist with the prestigious Focusyear Artist Diploma Band in Basel, Switzerland. There, he performed with acclaimed jazz artists such as Joshua Redman, Dave Holland, Steve Swallow, Wolfgang Muthspiel, and Becca Stevens. Recently, he had the pleasure of playing with Jorge Rossy, Sheila Jordan, Matt Wilson, and other icons of the jazz world. In addition to playing, Danny also teaches and writes books on jazz bass methods. Throughout his teaching career, Danny has encouraged and challenged students from a place of positivity to bring out the best of their musical abilities. Finding himself without adequate resources to teach his students, Danny took matters into his own hands and wrote his own series of books, receiving encouraging feedback from the bass community. This prompted Danny to found Low Down Publishing in order to continue producing books for music educators and independent learners. As if all that weren't enough, he also produced three video courses on performance as a tutor for the website Discover Double Bass. A highlight of his teaching career was in the fall of 2018, when he was interim professor of jazz bass at the Eastman School of Music. When Danny isn't being a musician, he practices latte art once or twice a day while indulging in his morning espresso ritual. For him, coffee provides balance. Or maybe that's just his excuse to hide a caffeine addiction.

My guest today is violinist, teacher and performance coach, Dr. Renée-Paule Gauthier. This was such an awesome episode, we got into so many topics, like, why it's SO important to invest in yourself and that it's totally OK to ask for help on your projects, your career, or anything that you're working on. We talk about learning how to shift your focus to things you actually have some control over, and how Renee was so dedicated to learning about becoming a better musician and teacher, she went and got a DMA in mindful practice. By the way she did that while raising two kids, and holding down a busy free-lance career in Chicago, so all of you music students get ready to take some notes on how to work a google calendar and become a more efficient learner. Towards the end of our interview you might hear Renee's kids calling out in the background while they enjoy some video games, but I didn't want to edit it out because it really is just the times we are living in right now with trying to work from home with kids during a pandemic, so you are NOT alone musician entrepreneur parents! We feel you. Alright, get yourself a warm winter coat, because we're heading to Chicago for this episode. About Renée Renée-Paule Gauthier is a passionate and dedicated performer, teacher, and high-performance coach.  Her career has taken her across the United States and Canada as a soloist, recitalist, chamber musician, orchestral leader, and clinician.   Dr. Gauthier joined the Chicago Lyric Opera Orchestra for the 18-19 and 19-20 seasons, and she performs with some of Chicago's finest ensembles, including the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, Joffrey Ballet, Elgin Symphony, and Chicago Philharmonic.  She is the String Area Coordinator, Co-director of the Chamber Music Program, and Violin Instructor at North Park University.   An accomplished concert artist, Renée-Paule Gauthier was mentioned as one of the "best violinist of her generation" in the book Violin Virtuosos, from Paganini to the 21st Century. Dr. Gauthier has won awards in several competitions, including the exclusive three-year loan of the Taft Stradivari violin through the 2009 edition of the Canada Council for the Arts' Musical Instrument Bank Competition. She made her Kennedy Center solo debut in April 2014.  She was Concertmaster of the New World Symphony, in the first violin section of the National Arts Centre Orchestra in Canada, Assistant Concertmaster of the Calgary Philharmonic, and is the Founding Artistic Director of the Rendez-vous Musical de Laterrière, a chamber music festival in the province of Québec.   Dr. Gauthier is a graduate of the University of Montreal, the Eastman School of Music, and Northwestern University. She blogs about creating a meaningful practice at her website, Mind Over Finger, and hosts the Mind Over Finger podcast.  The podcast offers discussions on mindful music-making, efficient practice, and building a purposeful career with the performers, pedagogues, and innovators who are shaping the classical music world today. Dr. Gauthier presents masterclasses and clinics on the topics of mindful practice, audition preparation, and anxiety management to audiences across the world. Links LinkedIn: Renée-Paule Gauthier Instagram: @mindoverfinger Facebook: Mind Over Finger Website: www.mindoverfinger.com Books "Mindset: The New Psychology of Success", Carol Dweck "Talent is Overrated: What Separates World Class Performers from Everybody Else", Geoffrey Colvin Honesty Pill Links Free Resource Library Facebook Group Mailing List

My guest today is world class cellist, coach, and creator of “the Profit Pivot for musicians”, Kate Kayaian. Kate talks about how the hustle-culture of freelancing was not sustainable, healthy or fulfilling, and what made her leave behind a thriving career in Boston to live full-time on a tropical island. Kate also explains what it was like to launch a virtual online cello festival during the covid-19 pandemic. You're even going to get a quick Armenian pronunciation lesson, so…your welcome. I've known Kate for a long time, and I hope you enjoy this conversation as much as I did.  You can subscribe right here.  About Kate Kate Kayaian is a professional cellist, teacher, musician's coach, and the creator and artistic director of the Virtual Summer Cello Festival–the very first full-length summer festival program to be offered online in 2020.  As a cellist, Kate has performed as soloist, chamber musician and recitalist in a myriad of venues from art galleries in Seattle to Jordan Hall in Boston, and in some of the top concert halls of Europe.   She attended the New England Conservatory of Music in Boston and was subsequently awarded a fellowship at the New World Symphony Orchestra in Miami. She performs and records often with the Grammy award-winning contemporary music ensemble, Boston Modern Orchestra Project, and was embarking on a US tour of her solo recital program: The Voice of the Cello when the current COVID-19 pandemic hit.   Drawing from her 5 years of experience as a pioneer in the world of online teaching, she created the 7-week Virtual Summer Cello Festival for highly talented high school and college aged cellists as a response to the cancelation of traditional summer festivals due to the current public health crisis.   This fall she is unveiling 2 of her latest projects: The Bridge Online Cello Studio–created for advanced high school and college level– which combines her current online private teaching studio with the group structure of the festival, creating an incredible opportunity for students all over the world to study. And The Profit Pivot–a 10 week long group coaching program for professional musicians who are ready to take the reins on their careers and their bank accounts.   She writes about career and life issues for classical musicians on her blog, Tales From The Lane, and coaches musicians and other creatives on career and mindset pivots to ensure financially stable lives for them and their families.   Links LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kate-kayaian-852147181/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kkayaian/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/katekayaiancello Website: https://katekayaian.com/ Honesty Pill Links Free Resource Library Facebook Group SUBSCRIBE HERE Other Links "Atomic Habits" James Clear "High Performance Habits" by Brendon Burchard "Deep Work" Cal Newport

My guest today is Aubrey Bergauer, one of the most dynamic trailblazers in the music industry on a mission to redefine the classical music experience as we know it. Sound ambitious? Keep reading. Aubrey has led the charge in not just engaging — but retaining — new audiences. What a concept…and we talk about a few really disturbing audience statistics that you are not going to believe. Aubrey is also going to bust a few myths about why free concerts don't work why it just doesn't matter if you wear jeans and a t-shirt to the concert hall and how human connection is the way to create real brand loyalty. And if you are a solopreneur who hates public speaking or thinks they hate sales and marketing, Aubrey is going to give you some perfect solutions for that too. I have been looking forward to this episode for months, so stop whatever you're doing, stop practicing, stop doing the dishes, and get ready to take some notes, because this conversation is going to dig deep on some big issues. About Aubrey Credited by Southwest Magazine with “redefining the classical concert experience as we know it,” Aubrey Bergauer defies trends and then makes her own. Her focus on not just engaging — but retaining — new audiences grew Seattle Opera's BRAVO! Club to the largest group for young patrons in the nation, led the Bumbershoot Festival to achieve an unprecedented 43% increase in revenue, and propelled the California Symphony to nearly double the size of its audience and quadruple its donor base. Praised by Wall Street Journal for leadership which “points the way to a new style of audience outreach,” Bergauer's ability to strategically and holistically advance every facet of an organization, instilling and achieving common goals and vision across typically siloed marketing, development, and artistic departments, is creating a transformational change in the audience, in the office, on the stage, and in the community. A graduate of Rice University with degrees in Music Performance and Business, Bergauer now shares these ideas via her consulting work and speaking engagements across North America, including conferences for Adobe's Magento, TEDx, Capacity Interactive, Opera America, Orchestras Canada, and the League of American Orchestras. Links LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aubreybergauer/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/AubreyBergauer Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aubreybergauer/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AubreyBergauer YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/AubreyBergauerTV Website: https://www.aubreybergauer.com   Honesty Pill Links Free Resource Library Facebook Group Mailing List   Other Links Movie: "Office Space" (1999) 

In this episode Sarah Kenner of The Hungry Musician talks about how her relationship with food and cooking actually transformed her violin performance.  We talk about the connection between taking care of your body, your mind, and your soul by doing things that nourish and inspire you, and how that can actually make you a better musician.  Sarah also checks in on her favorite baking reality show contestant, explains what it's like to train for and run a 5K, and announces her free “Meal Plan Makeover” challenge. We even had time to play a "guess what's in that smoothie" quiz, which, spoiler alert, Sarah totally aced...and I threw some really out there recipes at her. Alright. Grab a snack and get ready for this awesome conversation with culinary coach, Sarah Kenner. Links NEW PROGRAM! "The Complete Kitchen Makeover" Instagram @hungrymusician Website: www.thehungrymusician.com Website: www.sjkviolin.com  Honesty Pill Links Free Resource Library Facebook Group Mailing List

In this episode I'll be talking to one of the greatest living orchestral violinists my colleague Nathan Cole, who is an author, a podcaster, a trailblazer in the online teaching space, and happens to be the First Associate Concertmaster of the Los Angeles Philharmonic. He's kind of a busy guy. We're going to cover how technology has impacted our perception of perfectionism, going into debt to get a music degree, how being an orchestral musician is a lot like being a professional basketball player, and how many hours it actually takes to record 60 seconds of music. Nathan is even going to hook you up with his favorite barbeque resource, so you are going to want to listen all the way to the end of this one. About Nathan First Associate Concertmaster NATHAN COLE, who joined the LA Phil in 2011, has appeared as guest concertmaster with the orchestras of Pittsburgh, Minnesota, Houston, Ottawa, Seattle, and Oregon. He was previously a member of the Chicago Symphony and Principal Second Violin of the Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra. A native of Lexington, Kentucky, he made his debut with the Louisville Orchestra at the age of ten while studying with Donna Wiehe. After eight years working with Daniel Mason, Cole enrolled at the Curtis Institute of Music. In addition to his studies there with Pamela Frank, Felix Galimir, Ida Kavafian, and Jaime Laredo, Cole formed the Grancino String Quartet, debuting in New York's Weill Hall. Several summers at Marlboro enriched his love of chamber music. Nathan's articles and videos on practicing, performing, teaching, and auditioning have helped thousands of violinists worldwide. Visit natesviolin.com for the complete collection. In addition to his online teaching, Nathan is currently on faculty at the Colburn School for the Performing Arts, with classes at the Colburn Conservatory and USC. His articles and photographs have also appeared in Strings, Symphony, and Chamber Music magazines. Links Website: https://www.natesviolin.com/ Facebook: Nates Violin Instagram: @natesviolin   Honesty Pill Links Free Resource Library Facebook Group Mailing List

In this episode, violinist and musician's coach Sarah Whitney discusses getting out of her comfort zone, what it's like to overcome an injury that could have ended her career, and how becoming a one-woman-band helped her create a monthly COVID safe live mini-concert series. About Sarah Praised by The Washington Post for her “marvelous violin acrobatics,” Sarah is known for being on the edge of creativity and has developed a successful music career as a performer, teacher and musicians life & business coach. She has appeared on stages worldwide as a soloist and collaborative artist throughout North America, South America, Europe, Asia, and Africa and is fiercely dedicated to bringing fresh new ideas to classical music and empowering musicians to find their own voice.  Sarah is a founding member of the NYC based string quintet SYBARITE5, whose last two albums have reached the top ten on the Billboard Charts. SYBARITE5, the first string quintet to win the Concert Artists Guild Competition, has performed at Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center, Alice Tully Hall, the Library of Congress, the Aspen, Caramoor, Chautauqua, Grand Teton and Ravinia Festivals. In 2015, Sarah founded Beyond the Notes, an innovative concert series that breaks down the boundaries between the audience and the performers. Entering its sixth season of successful concerts, Beyond the Notes presents concerts around the country in partnership with series and organizations and presents flagship Beyond the Notes concert occurs annually in Concord, MA. Passionate about helping musicians navigate the ever-changing music world, Sarah is a musician's life and business coach and helps musicians craft fulfilling and sustainable careers in music. She has also given entrepreneurship lectures and workshops at the Curtis Institute of Music, the Juilliard School, New England Conservatory, Rice University, University of Arizona, among others. Her reputation and devotion to sound practice techniques led STRINGS magazine to feature Sarah in an article, ‘The Art of Mindful Practice' and her widely-read blog The Productive Musician focuses on health and wellness, productivity, and strategies for developing and maintaining an effective mindset. Sarah holds a Bachelor's degree with honors from the University of Michigan School of Music, as well as a Master of Music and Professional Studies degrees from the Cleveland Institute of Music. Links Sarah's social media info Website: www.sarahwhitney.com  Facebook: The Productive Musician - Sarah Whitney Instagram: @theproductivemusician The Productive Musician Blog: www.theproductivemusician.com Sign up here for my free guide: "4 Secrets to Being Super Successful (that music school didn't teach you)" Other Beyond the Notes: La Despedida by Felipe Gutierrez y Espinosa (solo violin and loop pedal) Honesty Pill Links Free Resource Library Facebook Group Mailing List

In this episode, Boston Symphony Principal Flutist, Elizabeth Rowe shares her personal story of learning to embrace the powers of vulnerability to create connection and community. About Elizabeth Elizabeth Rowe is the principal flutist of the world-class Boston Symphony Orchestra.  She is a social justice advocate, a public speaker, and a professional coach.  After she took a stand to demand equal pay from her employer in 2018, The Boston Globe honored her as a Bostonian of the Year, calling “The Fighter.”   Her ongoing commitment to opening up dialogue about complex subjects led to her TEDx talk, The Lonely Onlys, where she shared her personal story of learning to embrace the powers of imagination and vulnerability to create connection and community.  Elizabeth's coaching practice is a high impact process, where she supports creative people of all types as they work to achieve their biggest vision for themselves in their personal and professional lives. Links Elizabeth's social media info Website: www.iamelizabethrowe.com Facebook: Facebook Group for early professional musicians “Seeing Beyond the Notes” Instagram:@iamelizabethrowe LinkedIn: iamelizabethrowe Books “Deep Work” by Cal Newport “Self-Compassion, the Proven Power of Being Kind to Yourself” by Kristin Neff “My Brilliant Friend”, the first of the four Neapolitan Novels by Elena Ferrante And, for fun, the podcast “Dolly Parton's America” Other Elizabeth participated in a talk about failure with some terrific MIT students.  That video is here. And her TEDx talk is here. Honesty Pill Links Free Resource Library Facebook Group for like-minded creatives seeking self-improvement

In this episode, Trevor Jones discusses his recently launched  program, The Scholarship Roadmap, which helps musicians navigate the insanely complex music school application process.  He describes how to find the right teacher, right school and right learning environment for musicians ready to make a career in the performing arts.  Learning from many mistakes, being able to define your message and being brave enough to make the leap into an online business, Trevor takes us along on his musician entrepreneur journey.  Links The Scholarship Roadmap Trevor Jones Molehill Honesty Pill Free Resource Library

This season on the show I'll be talking to innovative musician entrepreneurs who have created new ways of performing, new ways of teaching, and new ways of serving their audiences. These are the people bringing music into the 21st century. My hope in creating this podcast is to make it easier for you to reinvent yourself and expand your own horizons. Take the information, mull it over, and come up with your own way to bring your art to the world. Why do I want to do this? I'm concerned that our art form will not survive if we keep clinging to the old ways of doing things. It's time to evolve. It's time to face the music. Here's the good news. Musicians are an amazingly disciplined, creative, and industrious group. People who have what it takes to put in 10,000 hours in the practice room also have what it takes to be successful in so many other areas of life. For this episode, I'm going to tell you where the name “Honesty Pill” comes from, and about the honesty pill I swallowed, that led to the creation of my online business, as well as the podcast you're listening to right now https://honestypill.com/ Join the community:  https://www.facebook.com/groups/honestypill