Artists are moving away from the era when business was someone else’s job. It **is** possible to be a wildly creative artist AND a develop some serious business savvy. Flex that muscle!
…and what actually has to change Third post in this summer’s Church Hiring Series Impressions, feedback and scuttlebutt This is the third post in a series on hiring and retaining singers for church music programs. If you’re catching up, the first post looked at why some singers are quietly opting out of church work, and … Read more
This was originally posted in our private Facebook group, but I’ve been asked to add it to the blog for general information. The following is inspired by that original post: If you’re new to singing the Jewish High Holy Days, there’s one thing you need to understand before you say yes to a gig: once … Read more
There are teachers and colleagues who will always tell fellow vocalists that a professional never works for free — and that position isn’t wrong, exactly, but it ignores semantics and situational details. “Never” doesn’t account for passion projects, learning opportunities, family culture (!), or judgment calls that don’t fit neatly into a rule. Every singer … Read more
If it feels like everyone you know is rethinking something right now—career, schedule, genre focus, income mix, long-term plans—you’re not imagining it. The world is shifting fast, and the arts always feel it early. For singers, that often shows up as questions like: Do I double down? Pivot? Add something new? Let something go? Let’s … Read more
Here’s the truth most of us already know: a performing career does not reset on January 1. If you’re anything like the folks we’ve been talking to, the start of this year (in and out of our careers) has already flown by. I had big plans for 2026 — brilliant posts about business planning and … Read more
I’m spending a few days with family, and my clan enjoys the diversity of a lot of different musical tastes. We share a lot of things… but not a clear definition of what is “good music”. (It makes for some fun discussions.) Our pro-focused Facebook group has also engaged in some lively discussion recently about … Read more
I’d like to offer up a simple concept that has helped many, and may help you if you’re feeling stressed, overwhelmed, or out of control. (First off, you’re not alone, or this post wouldn’t seem necessary!) It comes from the Japanese Mizu no Kokoro, commonly translated as “Mind like water”. This concept is rooted in … Read more
Due to non-List issues over the last year, we’ve had to set our launched-too-soon podcast aside for a bit, but we’re back! Check out the latest episode, where Lauri talks with Pacific Chorale’s President & CEO, Andrew Brown, about this year’s Grammy® award, what that means to be the first organization in Orange County to … Read more
“You don’t feel like a realtor yet,” I said to a friend recently, and then I watched his whole face change. While he’d been licensed and practicing for six months, it was true: he hadn’t yet made the shift in his own mind. And it was getting in the way of his marketing. This happens … Read more
As we start to get busy again, I’m hearing a theme in the posts and emails and conversations and general vibe from some of our Listers: FEAR. We’re all dealing with the same reality: fewer jobs around, and way too many talented artists vying for them. It’s exactly what we’ve all trained for… but more … Read more