THE THRIVE PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT & ENTREPRENEURSHIP PROGRAM
A certificate program for the holistic 21st century musician
APPLY TODAYDear Musician! What career are you stepping into?
The traditional narrative, yeah, the one you went to school for...? That's changing!
Conservatories and music schools are wonderful for intensive immersion in technique, ensemble, theory, history and audition/ performance skills. It's a fantastic place to make lifelong friends and explore and expand your love of music.
But let's be honest...
The messages you get as a music student can close off many vibrant opportunities! You're often told there's just two paths that are worth following: win an audition or get an academic position.
To the detriment of your career readiness and health, you stuff yourself into the practice room, sandwich in a quartet or quintet (if you're lucky) rehearsal. Go to ensemble, ear training, theory, history and maybe optional business of music classes. Rinse. Repeat.
This doesn't allow for space to see that...
You aren't just your technique. The world, and music industry have changed.
To achieve your dreams and be successful in today's world, you need a diverse set of skills. Not just great technique and intonation! Where are the classes on communication, marketing, branding, grant-writing, public speaking, budgeting, networking, much less breathing, body work, or mental health?
If you agree that there are BIG GAPS in music school education, that there's so much you, dear musician, need to launch your career after graduation - we have the perfect program for you. If...
⭐️ You are a 21st-century musician who doesn't just want an ensemble or teaching job - but want to explore the many paths open to you
⭐️ You are a multi-faceted and multi-passionate musician who has so much to offer the world
⭐️ You are itching to get the tools and skills to be able to communicate to the world what you do, who you are and create an extraordinary life in music
Good news! There's a new narrative.
There are myriad ways you can bring your music to life. And to perform at and offer the world your best, we not just believe, but KNOW you need to address ALL aspects of you.
Introducing The Thrive Professional Development and Entrepreneurship Certificate Program. It's a comprehensive online, self-paced program built to FILL THE GAPS that music school misses so you can be prepared to launch your career as soon as you're ready. Whether or not you went to music school this course delivers practical, holistic and essential skills to complement your instrumental skills!
If you're ready to explore your unique skill set that can contribute to the world (and your pocket) read on and ...
HOW THE PROGRAM WORKS
APPLICATION & REGISTRATION OPEN: September 1 2024 - April 30, 2025
- All students must complete their registration and upload their auditions to the Acceptd platform no later than April 30, 2024 to get access to BOTH asynchronous course material AND live guest speakers for the 2024-2025 program year. Guest speaker replays are ONLY available for the current program year.
- Students do have the option to join anytime between September 1, 2024 and April 30, 2025 but for the best experience, and to have the most time to complete the course and assessments, joining toward the beginning of the program will be most beneficial.
- Students will have access to ALL course materials, PLUS weekly office hours/ coaching calls as scheduled through the program indefinitely.
- To receive the final certificate of completion, students must submit work and complete assessments no more than 2 years from the start of the program.
THE CURRICULUM
Core Work (21 lessons)
The Heart of Who You Are
Getting clarity on the essential "you", the work is on your philosophy, biography, your purpose and your "why". Framing all this is a set of lessons about developing a healthy mindset as it pertains to your energy and vitality!
► MODULE 1 Foundations: Essentials of who/ where/ what you are. We'll start with exercises on gaining clarity.
► MODULE 2 Portfolio: You'll gather a range of traditional and not-so-traditional portfolio materials, from the resume, CV, to teaching philosophy, artists statement, and project or business descriptions.
► MODULE 3 Mindset: Your beliefs influence your thoughts and actions, so it's time to get your mindset into one of possibility! Learn to become more resilient, manage your time & energy, and give you the power to face the challenges that come with any goal.
Technical Skills (27 lessons)
From Heart to Instrument
This section focuses on developing the "technical" skills of entrepreneurship, essentials of well-being, and tools for a healthy practice
► MODULE 4 Entrepreneurship: Defining and exploring the pillars of entrepreneurship, like innovation, leadership, partnerships and let's not forget the soft skills that underlie it all
► MODULE 5 Musicpreneurship: Here it's all about ideating projects, creating a unique product or service, or building a studio or business
► MODULE 6 Wellness Blueprint: Your physical well-being is essential to time management and execution of ideas . You'll get some specific and powerful mental and physical tools to work (and practice) better!
Career Skills (28 lessons)
From Instrument to the World
It's time to get our ideas out into the big wide world! Here you'll learn tools and strategies for communication and expression.
► MODULE 7 Business + Branding: Think branding, marketing, grant writing, audience development, websites, digital presence, networking, promo and advertising.
► MODULE 8 Applications + Auditions: It's time to step on stage. What is it all about? Preparation.
► MODULE 9 Presenting + Performing: Need I say more? No description needed! Rest assured, there will be tools a'plenty.
Live classes led by the worlds' leading music, career and wellness experts will be offered throughout the year to supplement the lessons in each module.
ONCE YOU ARE ACCEPTED
As a Thrive PDEP participant you'll:
► Complete registration and select a tuition payment option
► Get access to the entire Program
► Attend monthly live workshops, masterclasses & conversations with guest musicians and experts across the industry
► Get started on the course lessons, homework and assessments. Also included: PDF resources including trackers, templates, worksheets and more
► Have access to a community of like-minded musicians and the opportunity for guidance throughout the course.
THE PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT & ENTREPRENEURSHIP PROGRAM IS FOR YOU IF:
► You're in school and ready to build a more holistic skill set & get access to a wide-range of resources
► You're a pre-professional and looking to build your career, wellness and life as a musician
► You're a professional musician or teacher working in the field and want support and resources to keep developing your career while getting access to new resources and wisdom
► You're a lifelong learner and are interested in cool stuff, love music, and want to join in the fun!
CLICK HERE TO APPLYTUITION
Your tuition payment options:
Rather than scholarship applications, essays or needing to show proof of
financial state, we offer a tiered tuition structure based on your honest financial experience.
The sliding scale is inspired by the Worts+Cunning Sliding Scale tool.
"Class and economic justice are topics that lots of folks struggle to talk about in the United States because most of us aren't educated in schools or the culture at large to talk about money, access to resources, and what class actually is."
$2600
Full Tuition is due at time of registration
► You're financially secure, have all my basic needs met comfortably
► own property, a car or have personal savings
► have health care
► can buy things new
► can afford vacations or take time off
Choose this price to “pay it forward” and support course access for those with less.
$1700
Full Tuition is due at time of registration
► You might be stressed about meeting basic needs but still achieve them
► have debt but still meets basic needs
► own or lease a car and has savings
► have expendable income, buy something new and thrift others
► can take vacations
You might have to cut back on discretionary spending with this price.
$1000
Tuition may be paid in installments
► You have basic needs, but often stress about them
► have debt and rent lower-end properties
► don't have a car and rarely vacation
► to afford the middle tier you'd have to save for 12 months or more
We believe
a career in music is not an unstable path where the odds are stacked against you, but instead it is a rich and incredible opportunity to share your skills & talents with the world in creative ways.
WHY APPLY TO THE THRIVE PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM?
You need to feel confident and empowered to take your next steps towards success–whatever that means for you. Spoiler alert: that means working on your business, career and professional skills! All framed by the essential life skills that is as important to success as technical how-to's. That's how you truly Thrive.
I'm ready to apply!
INTRODUCING YOUR THRIVE HOSTS!
Hi! We are Ixi, Ted and Nick! We've got a diverse set of experiences under our belts and want to share them with you. As your Thrive hosts, we curate your content and find incredible guests and topics that we know will offer you important learning. We look out for trends and things we think you need to know and then bring them to you!
Ted Nelson (right) was a cellist in the Cincinnati Symphony for 20 years and is now VP of Artistic Planning and Operations at the Dayton Performing Arts Alliance. // Ixi Chen (left) plays clarinet in the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra, teaches at the Cincinnati Conservatory of Music and is Founder & Managing Artistic Director of chamber ensemble, CONCERTNOVA. // Nick Photinos (middle) is a multi-Grammy Award-winning cellist, professor of chamber music at CCM, a founding member of Eighth Blackbird, and has collaborated and toured with an astounding array of artists.
We're excited to share our combined experience of performance, recording, management, production fundraising, finance and entrepreneurship so you can realize your dreams!
THRIVE began in October of 2020 and has helped hundreds of students gain the confidence and skills they need to make strides in their playing and career. Now we've streamlined and made these life and career lessons into a certificate program that we feel should sit alongside all that work you're doing in the practice room!
We've got big hearts and believe there is space for everyone in classical music, but you may need some help! We're ready to give it to you.
WHAT WE BELIEVE
Musicians are entrepreneurs
- Are you financially literate and do you approach your career with an abundance mindset?
- The days of having just one job are mostly over, but that doesn't mean a career in music isn't viable. You must explore your unique skill sets that can contribute to the world (and your pocket)!
- There's a GAP in music school education. Traditional music school doesn't prepare you for the real world! You have develop a set of professional skills beyond your playing.
Embracing an outside perspective can give you great insight into your work
- From authors to athletes, there are a lot of experts out there with a lot to teach you about how to be a better human and artist.
- Having a diverse, varied approach can give you rich layers of musicianship and artistry - as well as connect you to project, collaboration and job opportunities.
Wellness lies at the heart of everything you do as a musician
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What makes a strong, healthy mind is different for all of us, but it is just as important to dive into these things as scales and excerpts. This includes understanding how you learn and how to maximize your focus.
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How your body feels has SO much to do with how you play. Remember, you are a musician-athlete!
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Your playing is a reflection of who you are. Being emotionally well and heart-centered can make a dramatic difference in not only your expressive capabilities but in your whole life.