Redefining the Musician

Laura has always been heavily involved in music, both on the performance side and the education side. Until, one day in 2019, Laura decided to prioritize her happiness, her family, and her mental health. That has led to a series of decisions that have formed the life she lives now. Take a listen to this inspiring story of how Laura found a world she can live in that ticks all of the boxes. Google Form: https://forms.gle/MEhhHYQARCqpmhYcALaura's Bio: Laura Young is an educator and performer based in Lake Tapps, Washington. In her musical life, she has played trumpet with a wide range of ensembles locally and abroad, most notably Macklemore and Ryan Lewis, Emerald Ballet Theater Orchestra, Orquesta Cambalache, and both as a player and director with Sound Wave, the official band of the Seattle Sounders FC. Laura spent ten years teaching general music in the White River school district, where she cultivated a music community that prided itself in inclusivity, creativity, and growth through visionary teamwork. Her unique approach to elementary music and program building earned her recognition as Washington Music Educators Association’s Elementary Music Teacher of the Year in 2014. She presented workshops on improvisation, music literacy, and program development, and her groups performed at conferences and sporting events throughout the South Puget Sound. In 2019, Laura chose to leave music education to pursue a new path: outdoor education. She left the music classroom for one without walls, taking children out into the grass and forest to learn instead. Since then, she has developed a school garden and curricula that leverage community connections and Indigenous teachings to create a unique blend of science and social/emotional learning. In 2024, she was awarded the Pierce Conservation District’s Educator of the Year award in recognition of these efforts. She currently performs with the Rainier Symphony Orchestra and maintains a small private trumpet studio while also tending several gardens and doing all the sports with her kids.

If you would like to be on the show, fill out this Google Form: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfPrU0pPHOcYAW2-juTDLi5f9C9-xq04E58INvM8cNz-zgMOg/viewform?usp=sharing&ouid=103514879413514765577Episode 8: Take a listen this week to Mirella's incredibly inspiring story! She takes us through getting her degrees, establishing a very wonderful freelancing career, and deciding to move to the music ed world. Mirella's Bio:A former musical road warrior of the southern midwest, Mirella Gable embraced her musical education roots in 2024 and now works full time as a beginning band director in southern coastal Delaware. In the summer, Mirella enjoys performing with the Lake Placid Sinfonietta in the glorious Adirondack paradise with her husband, hornist James Rester. She holds degrees from Wichita State University (M.M. in Horn Performance), and the Eastman School of Music (B.M. in Applied Horn and Music Education), where she earned a Performer’s Certificate

Check out this episode with Lindsay, where she talks about her experience of finding her place in music. From music education, to grad school, to almost not taking the audition where she won her job, her story is packed full of relatable experiences. Read her full bio belowIf you would like to be on the show, or would like to give suggestions, you can fill out this Google Form: https://forms.gle/hNoDsScYzPSHQeQc8Bio: Lindsay Ring is proud to play euphonium in the United States Army Field Band, the army's premier touring ensemble. The band has already taken her from coast to coast and internationally to Switzerland and Finland. Lindsay has competed and placed in many solo and chamber competitions including the Leonard Falcone International Tuba Euphonium Competition, the Susan Slaughter Solo Competition, and the Music International Grand Prix competition, and was a featured soloist at last MWRTEC.

Burnout is a recurring issue than many musicians deal with at least once in their career. In this Episode, Ben and I talk about why burnout is so common, how burnout is built into the systems of music school and music careers, and some ways we can fight against that. If you would like to be on the podcast or have things you'd like to hear on the podcast, fill out this google form: https://forms.gle/gMeLTZr6t5boXQvt8

Listen to Rachel's story as she learned that despite her love for music and teaching, the public school music ed world was not something that made her happy. She is now in the process of redefining her path and she shares that experience with all of us!Google Form:  https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfPrU0pPHOcYAW2-juTDLi5f9C9-xq04E58INvM8cNz-zgMOg/viewform?usp=header

Follow along as Serena details her story of being forced to resign from her military band position, due to the new laws against transgender military members. In this episode, you can hear not only about Serena's hardships, but also about her resilience, and the beginning of her path towards a new career. If you'd like to share your story, you can fill out this Google Form: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfPrU0pPHOcYAW2-juTDLi5f9C9-xq04E58INvM8cNz-zgMOg/viewform?usp=header

Tune in to this episode to hear Paden’s journey with Musician’s Dystonia. Hear all about the causes, as well as the ways he has worked on healing. Additionally, bring an open ear to hear some of the things he has to say regarding how we can change brass and wind teaching to prevent injury. If you would like to be featured or have things you'd like to hear on the podcast, fill out this Google Form: https://forms.gle/52sMh6GiXMiKDMga7

The musician to finance pipeline is an interesting, yet strangely common path that is beginning to develop. Take a listen to Dominick's story as he tells you his path of leaving music to protect his mental health and secure his future through his new career. Google Form: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfPrU0pPHOcYAW2-juTDLi5f9C9-xq04E58INvM8cNz-zgMOg/viewform?usp=sharing&ouid=103514879413514765577

In this episode, Mykala takes us through her journey of being a music educator and transitioning to the corporate world. We discuss the realities of teaching in today's music classrooms, the emotions behind redirecting to a new path outside of music, and the transferable skills musicians have for other jobs. If you would like to be featured on a future episode, or you have suggestions for future episodes, feel free to fill out our Google Form: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfPrU0pPHOcYAW2-juTDLi5f9C9-xq04E58INvM8cNz-zgMOg/viewform?usp=sharing&ouid=103514879413514765577

In this episode, Kody discusses how he was on track to be a college professor, and how both his physical and mental health circumstances led him to a new path in music he'd never thought of. We talk about finding purpose outside of the classical music community, embracing new opportunities, and redefining what a musical path can look like. If you would like to be featured on a future epsiode, or you have suggestions, feel free to fill out this Google Form: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfPrU0pPHOcYAW2-juTDLi5f9C9-xq04E58INvM8cNz-zgMOg/viewform?usp=sharing&ouid=103514879413514765577

Redefining the Musician seeks to share the stories of classical musicians who have left their career path, and redirected to something new. I thought it was only fitting to begin this podcast by sharing my own story. In this episode, you will hear about where I started with music, why I left, and where I'm at today. This episode also explores some of the key issues in the classical music industry that led to the beginning of this podcast. I hope you enjoy! If you would like to be featured, or have suggestions for topics you'd like to hear in the future, please feel free to fill out this Google Form: https://forms.gle/i38fiTxwsgUjKzCx5