MUSIC BUSINESS FOR INDEPENDENT ARTISTS

BOOKING BASICS FOR INDEPENDENT ARTIST

Touring makes up a large portion of a successful musician’s life and a large share of their revenue. This is also the only part of the music career that remains mainly “physical” in what is otherwise a digital-first industry –with further challenges presented to musicians post pandemic, when new virtual performance and tour booking skills are essential. Putting together - and managing - an artistically satisfying and financially viable tour is not easy––but possible! In this workshop, students learn about the various aspects of touring, preparing them for this important aspect of a fruitful career as an independent musician. The workshop explores the touring life-cycle (from putting together a promotional package and sourcing and contacting venues – to booking and managing tours) as well as auxiliary subjects related to developing successful tours for themselves and others (recording, PR, social media, contracting, grant-writing, and many other fields that make up the successful touring career). Students are engaged through short lectures, small group discussions, and practice-based exercises that will help them develop skills useful for tour booking, development, and management. Workshop is available in in-person and virtual formats.

Svetlana has presented / contributed her knowledge on the subjects of music business for such venerable institutions as Jazz at Lincoln Center, Music Works International Booking Agency, Hartt School of Music (University in West Hartford, Connecticut), FGCU Bower School of Music (Florida Gulf Coast University), WIJO (Women In Jazz Organization), and many others

About:

Svetlana has been an educator in business, nonprofit, public school, and higher education settings for two decades––along with a decade-long management consulting career. She is also an active touring and recording musician with a chart-topping record (#1 on Billboard Traditional Jazz Charts) countless sold-out shows (national and international) as a bandleader. Svetlana earned her Ph.D. from Columbia University, MS in Jazz Performance from Manhattan School of Music––as well as MS in Nonprofit Management (New School) and BA+ in Mathematics and Teaching (Moscow Teachers College). She is also presently (and for the last 15 years) an adjunct associate professor at Columbia University, has served as a mentor with WJO (Women in Jazz Organization) and was a teaching artist for Armstrong House.