Where Can I Go With a Music Degree...?
Archive and Past Editions
Edition 2025
Our 2025 edition expanded to include conversations about the value of a music degree, especially with musicians who are now working outside of the music the industry (working in law, medicine and real estate, respectively).
Additionally, our other roundtables focused on musical entrepreneurship and "life behind the scenes" as a professional musician, involving JUNO-Award winning and Virginia Parker Prize recipients, alongside innovative trailblazers in numerous domains, such as conducting, opera, and community-outreach.
It is our hope that this event and initiative may inspire professionals to share their diverse experiences, engage in dialogue that bridges education and industry, and contribute to a broader understanding of the myriad of possibilities a music education can offer.
Learn more about our 2025 speakers and panels below.
2025 Edition
The Speakers
FEATURED INDUSTRY PROFESSIONALS
Pianist (soloist/chamber), Educator, Winner of 2023 JUNO for Best Classical Solo Album, Inaugural recipient of Mécénat Musica Prix Goyer
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Our Sponsors
LEADING IN THE INDUSTRY
Pianist, Music Director of NYO Canada, Artistic Partner with the Orchestre Métropolitain, Assistant Conductor of the Philadelphia Orchestra
Dr. Marshall Gayman
Neurologist, Former Tuba Performance Major
Session One
January 25, 2025
All roundtables will be 90 minutes. Times in EST.
11:00
Roundtable #1
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"Where Can I Go With a Music Education?"
What is the long-term value of a music degree? This panel features professionals who completed undergraduate degrees in music and then continued on to pursue careers outside the music industry. In this opening discussion, they will be reflecting what they learned as part of their music degrees and discuss how they have applied the skills learned in music school to their respective career paths.
Panelists: Marshall Gayman (neurologist), Katie Newman (lawyer), Reuben Labovitz (realtor) .
Session Two
February 1, 2025
All roundtables will be 90 minutes. Times in EST.
11:00
Roundtable #2
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"Musical Entrepreneurship: Building Your Own Projects
and Organizations"
This roundtable will feature panelists who have developed their own dynamic projects and organizations from the ground up, driven by their individual goals of addressing existing gaps in the classical music scene for both artists and listeners. We’ll discuss what inspired them to embark on these projects, how they’ve been able to grow them, and their advice for creating your own sustainable career in music.
Panelists: Dr. Michael Bridge, Miki Sawada, Aria Umezawa
Session Three
February 8, 2025
All roundtables will be 90 minutes. Times in EST.
11:00
Roundtable #3
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"A Day in the Life: Navigating the Demands of a Music Career"
In this roundtable, our panel of musicians will discuss the realities of their work behind the music, including the balance of creative time with administration, financial planning, and travel management. This discussion provides an open look at the routines, responsibilities, and dedication required to build and sustain a career in music. From time spent practicing, to securing engagements and managing finances, join us in an exploration of the artistry and business that goes into managing a career.
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Whether you’re interested in freelance work, solo performance or other creative avenues, this discussion will provide a candid look at the behind-the-scenes realities that go beyond the practice room.
Panelists: Philip Chiu, Dr. Adam Cicchillitti, Naomi Woo
Special Guest: Tom Allen
In conversation with event hosts, Lara Deutsch, Dr. Amy Hillis and Dr. Cindy Thong
17:00
Virtual Meet & Greet
Meet the Event Organizers
Acadia University
Carleton University
The National Youth Orchestra of Canada (NYO Canada) is one of the country’s leading training institutes for young orchestral musicians. For over 60 years, NYO Canada has prepared young musicians aged 16 to 28 for professional careers through intensive training, mentorship, and performance opportunities.
Internationally recognized for fostering excellence and leadership, NYO Canada empowers young artists to make a lasting impact in the global music community. As a collaborative partner of this event , NYO Canada continues to celebrate learning, collaboration, and the transformative power of music.
In Collaboration With
Our Sponsors
Generously supported by:
