YOUNG MUSICIAN
PROGRAMS + WORKSHOPS
Essential knowledge and skills for aspiring young musicians
WORKSHOPS NOW OPEN FOR REGISTRATION!
Musical literacy is more than scales, etudes and excerpts!
Dear Aspiring Musician...
You've reached this page because your love music, and you're serious about becoming the best musician you can be. Whether you'll become a "professional" earning all or most of your income from performing or teaching, or whether you plan to double major and explore other professional paths while pursuing music, you have to widen your approach to this art of music making!
At the same time that you narrow your focus to scales, etudes, excerpts and techniques, you also have to widen your approach.
A focused lens
Lessons, youth orchestra, theory class, chamber music, all that time you're in the practice room? It's all needed. It's all great to hone your skills on your instrument and develop artistry on stage. Conservatories and music schools are a wonderful way to pave your way toward a career in music. They provide intensive immersion in technique, ensemble, theory, history and audition/ performance skills. And, it's a fantastic place to make lifelong friends and explore and expand your love of music.
But to be honest...
A wide angle lens
To achieve your dreams and be successful in today's world, you need a diverse set of skills, not just great performance technique! You need to learn soft skills like time management, perseverence, teamwork, communication, mental resilience, and yes, how to practice better! Your artistry and brand are based on your ability to draw from other artistic disciplines, work with others, manage your energy, be healthy, regulate your emotions, and a whole lot more! You need a wide angle lens on your skills.
In partnership with the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra Youth Orchestras we are excited to present the following
Music 360 Programs
All Music360 resources, workshops, group training and programs are designed to address the whole musician, widening the lens to include a range of diverse skill sets. We believe this is essential training for any musician to be prepared for the real world. If...
⭐️ You are an aspiring musician who wants to explore the many paths open to you, which might be a solo career, chamber music, ensemble or teaching, but the myriad options beyond the traditional path
⭐️ You are a multi-faceted and multi-passionate musician who is curious about developing a range of skills
⭐️ You are itching to get the tools to practice better, be a more confident performer and develop the audition and interview skills...
Explore our programs below! These workshops and courses are designed to address so many other aspects of YOU so you can be the best musician you can be.
WORKSHOPS:
NAVIGATING THE
College Application
PROCESS
So you want to major in music? Getting ready to go to college or graduate school is such an exciting time! But, when you dig in, you may realize there are so many factors to consider and decisions to make during the process! It's a little more than "Who's the violin teacher?"... plus, you know you need to set yourself up for your best chance at success and happiness after you're out of school and starting your career.
This info session will take you through the entire journey + give you resources to use as you apply to, audition for, and decide where to attend college!
Good for students and parents alike.
Workshop fee: $50
EnrollFall Workshop
OPTIMIZE YOUR PRACTICE
Doing things over and over doesn't guarantee improvement! Practicing well, takes well... practice!
A 3-part workshop series for anyone who wants to learn to practice with more efficiency, joy and efficacy.
► Week 1 | October 20: Routine & Habits
► Week 2 | October 27: Failure & Desirable Difficulties have health care
► Week 3 | November 3: Designing Your Practice
** Dates may shift to accommodate registrant schedules
These hands-on, 90-minute sessions gives you an action-oriented path to optimize your practice!
Workshop fee: $150
Spring Workshop
MUSICIANS MINDSET MUSTS
The everyday realities of managing your mindset, challenges or set backs can feel like a full time job! We also know: your state of mind makes all the difference!
► Week 1 | January 26: Cultivating Resilience + Power of Beliefs
► Week 2 | February 2: Motivation & Energy Management
► Week 3 | February 9: Progress Isn't Linear
** Dates may shift to accommodate registrant schedules
Over this 3-week period, you'll get tools to shift your mindset to one of possibility, learn to set goals, face challenges and protect your wellbeing!
Workshop fee: $150
Summer Workshop
AUDITION PREPARATION
Learn strategies and techniques for better audition preparation and performance! The 3 sessions of this workshop gives you a clear plan for:
► Session 1: Preparing (June 1)
► Session 2: Practicing (July 6)
► Session 3: Performing (August 3)
** Dates may shift to accommodate registrant schedules
Each 90-minute session is chock full of guidance on exactly how to prepare and what good preparation means, how to organize your practice and approaches for you to perform you best on audition day itself.
Workshop fee: $150
Sign up for all 3 workshops with a $100 discount. Click here to enroll in the 2024-2025 series:
Register for all 3 WorkshopsFor more in-depth, comprehensive programs here are a few
FEATURED COURSES:
Thrive Membership
MONTHLY OR ANNUAL
Thrive is a membership program of Music360 where musicians have access to live events, a library of resources & ongoing support to move forward toward their musical and professional goals.
Learn More
Career Development
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT & ENTREPRENEURSHIP
A holistic curriculum that offers a comprehensive skillset to give you the necessary business knowledge to launch your career and give you an edge in today's classical music landscape.
Apply
The Audition Lab
AUDITION PREPARATION
A 6-module digital course taught by clarinetist Ralph Skiano of the Detroit Symphony based on his book Behind the Screen: A Winner's Guide to Preparing Your Next Audition.
See Course Contents
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 DEVELOP YOUR PROFESSIONAL SKILLS NOW?
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 in the modern classical music landscape.
I'm ready to apply!
INTRODUCING YOUR 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 Music360 program 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 & Co-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!
Music360's THRIVE programs 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 multi-faceted and need an entrepreneurial perspective
- 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.