The Hustle
Years in Tampa Bay
3
Hustle (job)
Freelance low brass specialist.
What do you do?
I am contracted by music programs in schools to work with their students, I teach around 40 private lessons a week, perform as a soloist and in ensembles, and create content on YouTube and Instagram.
Why do you do it?
The best part of the instruments I play and the art I work in is the community involved around it. Overall, it has been the people and the family I have created around my career that really keeps me going.
What was your Catalyst? (How did you get started?)
I had known a few people who were doing the freelance thing in other areas or the country, but the Tampa Bay area was where I was most connected so I figured “why not here?” Once I got rolling with the teaching side of things, I realized that often times I wasn’t doing much during the day because a lot of my teaching was late afternoon/evening – so I decided to start a YouTube channel, and connecting with people on social media to further my reach as a resource for younger low brass musicians and music educators.
What’s a common misconception or unknown aspect of what you do?
You can actually make a serious full-time income in music or on social media.
What’s the most challenging part of your Hustle?
Time commitment tends to lead to burn out. 12 to 14 hours a day, six days a week with varying amounts of income can lend itself to feeling burnt out from time to time.
What’s the most valuable piece of business advice/insight that’s helped you?
Be a resource. If you can’t do a job, point the person asking to someone who can. If you can become the “You know who would know …” go-to person then you are the first-stop contact.
