Chaowen

S2E11: Why You Need a Career Coach with Karen Cubides

In today’s conversation, I spoke with Karen about another part of her specialty – career coach, and dig into how people have different definitions of success, and to find the answers from within.

Read More

S2E10: Marketing 101 for Musicians with Karen Cubides

Today’s episode is a must listen for musicians as we learn marketing for ourselves, create opportunities and put ourselves out there for business. Karen Cubides is the passionate and engaging founder and CEO of the Karen Cubides Agency based in Nashville, Tennessee. Her holistic approach to coaching her clients allows her to serve a wide…

Read More

S2E9: How Much Should I Talk at Conducting Auditions?

Conducting auditions are something that’s hard to navigate as each organization and ensemble does look for different things, but no one would disqualify a good conductor! Typically, an audition for an assistant conductor would be only 10-15 minutes, while a music director audition might be a full rehearsal (2-3 hour), or even a concert cycle…

Read More

S2E8: Navigating the Business with Kevin Fitzgerald

Today’s episode is the second half of my conversation with a long-time friend, Kevin Fitzgerald, current Associate Conductor of the Jacksonville Symphony. Last week we spoke about preparing for job applications and auditions, and today we will continue the conversation and hear all the behind the scene stories of navigating the business. As 2021 Tanglewood…

Read More

S2E7: Application and Audition Prep with Kevin Fitzgerald

In today’s episode, you will hear the first half of my conversation with a long-time friend, Kevin Fitzgerald, current Associate Conductor of the Jacksonville Symphony. We went way back to my years at the Eastman School of Music, and it’s such a pleasure to speak with him on the topic of preparing for job applications…

Read More

S2E6: Three Things Helping You Figure Out “What’s Next”

Should I enter a graduate program? Look for jobs? Go to masterclasses? Those are some questions that I got asked the most. For us conductors, we have to create our own curriculum, our own path, and to make decisions all the time. In today’s episode, I will share with you three main factors to consider…

Read More

S2E5: Branding, Pitching and Social Media with Nicole Riccardo

Last week I spoke with social media guru Nicole Riccardo about how musicians can create a meaningful online community through social media. She generously provided a lot of tips and suggestions for my listeners. When we talk about marketing, curating an image of our own for the world, it’s unavoidable to discuss one’s brand. Are…

Read More

S2E4: Building a Meaningful Online Community with Nicole Riccardo

I am not a person who is naturally good at social media – when I say I’m an introvert, many people would seem surprised, but I am really awkward starting a conversation with strangers. Flutist turned digital marketer, Nicole Riccardo, the Founder & President of NR Media was introduced to me through a common flutist…

Read More

S2E3: How to Kill your Diversity Statement

Diversity Statement has become a more and more frequently asked application material. No matter you are applying for a music directorship or an educational role, the organization very often is interested in knowing your vision on diversity, inclusion, and equity. Feeling stuck as a straight white man (or anything else)? No worries, let me show…

Read More

S2E2: The Most Important Thing about your Zoom Interview

Zoom Interviews are now more common since Covid – and organizations are often skipping the traditional phone interview and conduct a zoom interview for shortlisted candidates instead.  If you’ve had unsuccessful zoom interviews in the past, you want to do a quick self-check and see if you’ve got it right, and know the purpose of…

Read More