OUR MISSION

Get students thinking beyond their instrument through the development of business acumen and an understanding of the power of social interaction.  To arm them with the tools we have learned over 3 decades so they can not just survive, but thrive, and achieve their goals as musicians.

It can be overwhelming.

Artists don't want to believe that a good business strategy applies to music, but it does. You are selling a product just like McDonalds is selling a hamburger, but you are selling yourself.

WHO WE ARE

 Curtis Brengle and Julie Ragins are 30 year veterans in the Los Angeles music scene, recording, performing, and touring with The Moody Blues, Ray Charles, American Idol, Sheena Easton,  Chaka Kahn, Engelbert Humperdinck, Sergio Mendes, the Pointer Sisters, the Glenn Miller Orchestra, Deniece Williams, Brian Setzer,  and more.  In 2015 the two created the project PEAR DUO  and today have a flourishing duo show that is touring the country doing house concerts and community concerts. 

Click the pic to see the full resume.

 

There is no substitute for real word experience.  You cannot learn this stuff from a book.

MAJOR POINTS OF DISCUSSION

1 -  WHO ARE YOU AND WHAT DO YOU WANT?

The difference between being a working musician and an artist, the connections that pay off, the different paths that work, and ways to not die from exposure.

2 - RECOGNIZING AND CREATING OPPORTUNITY.

Networking and professionalism tips that will get you noticed and keep you in demand,  and ways to develop good social skills, even if it's not your nature to be social.

3 – BRANDING & MARKETING.

Understanding that you are the product.  Effectively developing and promoting yourself and your music including "the new resume" and why you need it.

4 – PUTTING YOURSELF WHERE THE RIGHT PEOPLE WILL HEAR YOU.

You are in the entertainment business!  Finding your audience, turning fans into super fans, and being the solution to someone else's problem

5 – THE BIG "WHAT NOT TO DO" LIST.

Pretty self explanatory.  Good ways to destroy your reputation with people who hire you, fans, and your fellow musicians.

6 - MUSICIANSHIP 101

Being able to communicate with fellow musicians musically.  Learning the language, knowing your roll, and doing the job you are hired to do.