Careers in Music: Build a Life Around What You Love
Discover real opportunities to turn your passion for music into a thriving, sustainable career.
📖 12 Chapters
📃 265 Lessons
If you’ve ever dreamed of making music a bigger part of your life — but felt uncertain about how to turn that dream into reality — you’re not alone.
Maybe you love playing, creating, or performing music... Maybe you feel a deep connection to music, but you're not sure how it fits into your future. Maybe you’re wondering if a career in music is even realistic anymore. The truth is, there’s never been more opportunity for musicians to build fulfilling careers — if you know where to look, and how to get started. The Careers in Music Course is your guide to the modern music industry: showing you where the opportunities are, how your skills fit in, and how you can build a career that feels true to who you are.
If You've Ever Thought...
If You've Ever Thought...
“Is there even a stable way to make a living in music anymore?” “I’m good at playing music — but what else could I do?” “I don’t know where to start... or who could help me.” “The music industry feels overwhelming — and like it’s changing all the time.” “I’m worried I’ll have to give up music if I want a stable career.” You're exactly where so many successful music professionals once stood. They didn’t “get lucky.” They learned how the industry works today — and built careers on their own terms. You can, too.
Why It Feels So Unclear — And How This Course Changes Everything
🎯 Limited Career Visibility ➔ Clear Career Map Explore dozens of real-world music career paths beyond performing — from audio production to artist management, licensing, publishing, music tech, content creation, and more.
🎯 Skill Uncertainty ➔ Confidence in Your Value Learn how your musical talents translate into highly sought-after skills across different sectors of the industry.
🎯 Industry Overwhelm ➔ Insider Knowledge Understand the modern music landscape — so you can make smart moves instead of feeling stuck on the sidelines.
🎯 Networking Challenges ➔ Real Strategies for Building Connections Discover practical ways to start growing your network, even if you’re starting from zero.
🎯 Financial Anxiety ➔ Informed Planning Get real-world insights on what to expect financially — and how to build a career path that fits your life goals.
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The Journey You'll Take
✅ Confused ➔ Clear on Your Options
✅ Overwhelmed ➔ Equipped with a Real Plan
✅ Worried ➔ Financially Informed and Prepared
✅ Isolated ➔ Connected to New Opportunities
✅ Doubtful ➔ Empowered to Build a Career You Love You’ll no longer wonder if there’s a place for you in the music industry. You’ll know exactly where you fit — and how to claim your space.
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By the End of the Course, You Will:
✅ Understand dozens of career possibilities across the music industry
✅ Recognize how your passion and skills directly connect to real opportunities
✅ Know how to start building a professional network that opens doors
✅ Learn the essential business and marketing basics every modern musician needs
✅ Create a personalized action plan to move confidently toward your new career
✅ Feel inspired, energized, and ready for the next steps
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Picture Yourself One Year From Now...
You’re not just wishing you could do something with your passion for music.
You’re doing it.
You’re connected.
You’re growing.
You’re living a life where music isn’t a side note — it’s center stage.
And it all started with one decision: to believe it was possible, and take the first step.
Course Curriculum
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Introduction to Careers in Music
What’s Your Music Career Fit?
Essential Quiz: What's Your Music Career Fit?
Reflect on Your Music Career Fit
Extensions: Exploring Careers in Music
Myths & Realities of Working in Music
Extensions: Myths & Realities of Working in Music
Mapping Out Your Career Path
Extensions: Mapping Out Your Career Path
Career Reflection Worksheet
Activity: Create a personal career vision board with potential music industry roles.
Personal Career Vision Board Worksheet
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Teaching in Schools – K-12 and Higher Ed
How to Become a Music Teacher
Activity: What Type of Music Teacher Would You Want to Be—and Why?
Activity: State Certification Research
Teaching Private Lessons (In-Person & Online)
Extensions: Teaching Private Lessons (In-Person & Online)
Private Lesson Starter Kit
Activity: Create a Mock Business Plan for a Private Lesson Studio
Recommended Tech for Online Teaching
Activity: Discussion Board Prompt: “Would you rather teach in-person or online? Why?”
Running a Music Camp or Workshop
Extensions: Running a Music Camp or Workshop
Music Camp Starter Guide
Activity: Workshop Budgeting Exercise
Discussion Board Prompt: “If you could create any music camp, what would it focus on?”
Selling Lesson Plans & Music Resources
Extensions: Selling Lesson Plans & Music Resources
Creating Online Courses for Music Learning
Extensions: Creating an Online Course for Music Students
Activity Guide: Outline a 5-Lesson Online Course You Could Teach
Extensions: Music Teacher Guides
More Music Teacher Resources
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Becoming a Professional Performer
Extensions: Becoming a Professional Performer
Gigging Musician Toolkit
Activity: Find Your First Gig
Social Media Growth Guide for Performers
Discussion: Dream Stage – Your Global Gig Goals
Mastering Engineer
Extensions: Mastering Engineer
Activity: Before & After – Enhancing a Song
Broadcast & Radio Engineer
Extensions: Broadcast & Radio Engineer
Beginner's Guide to Broadcast & Radio Engineering
Activity: Mini Podcast Recording
Touring Backline Technician
Extensions: Touring Backline Technician
Introduction to Backline Tech Work Blueprint
Activity: Tour Gear Packing List Challenge
Music Director (for Tours & TV Shows)
Extensions: Music Director (for Tours & TV Shows)
Music Director’s Guide to Tours and TV Shows
Activity: Create a Concert Setlist
Conducting & Directing Music Ensembles
Extensions: Conducting & Directing Music Ensembles
Activity: Research & Curate YouTube Playlists of Great Conductors in Action
Beginner’s Guide to Conducting: Mastering Patterns, Score Study, and Leadership
Activity: Plan a Concert Program
Working in Church Music & Worship Leading
Extensions: Working in Church Music & Worship Leading
Guide to Church Music Careers
Activity: Setlist Creation Activity
Breaking Into Musical Theater & Opera
Extensions: Breaking Into Musical Theater & Opera
Activity: Find an Audition
Audition Prep Checklist
Activity: Curate a YouTube Playlist of Great Musical Theater & Opera Performances
Cruise Ship or Theme Park Musician
Extensions: Cruise Ship or Theme Park Musician
Activity: Create Your Own Theme Park or Cruise Ship Setlist Activity
Cruise & Theme Park Musician Guide
Activity: Behind the Scenes of Cruise Ship & Theme Park Musicians in Action
Concert or Festival Promoter
Extensions: Concert or Festival Promoter
Concert & Festival Promotion Guide
Activity: Design a Festival Lineup & Marketing Plan
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Music Marketing & Public Relations
Extensions: Music Marketing & Public Relations
Music Marketing Starter Guide
Activity: Create a Marketing Plan
Sales & Merchandising in the Music Industry
Extensions: Sales & Merchandising in the Music Industry
Merch & Sales Playbook
Design Some Merch
Artist & Event Management
Extensions: Artist & Event Management
Artist & Event Management Toolkit
Activity: Plan a Small Music Event
Working for a Record Label or Streaming Service
Extensions: Working for a Record Label or Streaming Service
Breaking Into Record Labels & Streaming
Activity: Build a Playlist
Activity: Research and compare major streaming platforms’ payout models.
A&R (Artists & Repertoire) Representative
Extensions: A&R (Artists & Repertoire) Representative
A&R Talent Scouting Guide
Activity: Find & Pitch a New Artist
Talent Agent
Extensions: Talent Agent
Talent Agent's Guide to Booking & Contracts
Activity: Role-Play a Musician & Agent Conversation
Music Industry Analyst
Extensions: Music Industry Analyst
Activity: How Streaming Data Shapes the Music Industry
Music Analytics Guide
Activity: What's Popular? Track & Predict a Music Trend Activity
Music Licensing & Sync for TV, Film, and Ads
Extensions: Music Licensing & Sync for TV, Film, and Ads
Sync Licensing Starter Guide
Activity: Find a Perfect Sync Placement
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Careers in Audio Engineering & Sound Design
Extensions: Careers in Audio Engineering & Sound Design
Extensions: Record Producing & Mixing for Artists
Activity: Compare the production techniques of two different music genres.
Live Sound Engineering for Concerts & Events
Extensions: Live Sound Engineering for Concerts & Events
Live Sound Starter Guide
Activity: Live Sound Set Up
Writing & Producing Music for Video Games & Film
Extensions: Writing & Producing Music for Video Games & Film
Getting Started in Film & Game Scoring Guide
Activity: Behind-the-Scenes Scoring Sessions Playlist
Video Playlist: behind-the-scenes scoring sessions
Activity: Create a mood board for a film soundtrack and suggest song styles.
Choreographer for Music Artists
Extensions: Choreographer for Music Artists
Choreographer’s Guide to Music Performance
Activity: Create Your Own Mini Choreography
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Composer for Film, TV, & Instrumental Ensembles
Extensions: Composer for Film, TV, & Instrumental Ensembles
Film & TV Composition Starter Guide
Activity: Compose Music for a Silent Scene Activity
Orchestrator or Music Copyist
Extensions: Orchestrator or Music Copyist
Orchestrator & Copyist Guide
Activity: Match Instruments to Music Styles
Theme Park or Video Game Composer
Extensions: Theme Park or Video Game Composer
Theme Park & Video Game Music Guide
Activity: Create a YouTube Playlist for Theme Park & Video Game Soundtracks
Extensions: Music Journalism & Blogging
Music Journalism Starter Guide
Activity: Write a Music Review
Lyric Writing & Songwriting for Others
Extensions: Lyric Writing & Songwriting for Others
Songwriting Starter Guide
Activity: Write an 8-Line Song Verse
Podcasting & YouTube for Music Lovers
Extensions: Podcasting & YouTube for Music Lovers
Podcast & YouTube Starter Kit
ACTIVITY: Create a Personal YouTube Tutorial Playlist
Activity: Outline a script for a 5-minute podcast episode about a favorite artist.
Music Video Director
Music Video Director’s Guide
Activity: Storyboard a Music Video
Extensions: Music Video Director
Music Publicist
Extensions: Music Publicist
Music Publicist’s PR Toolkit
Activity: Write a Press Release for an Artist
Music Curator (Streaming Services)
Extensions: Music Curator
Music Curation Starter Guide
Activity: Create a 10-Song Playlist for a Mood
Transcribing & Notating Music for Publication
Extensions: Transcribing & Notating Music for Publication
Music Transcription & Notation Starter Guide
Activity: Transcribe a Simple Melody
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Instrument Repair & Restoration
Extensions: Instrument Repair & Restoration
Instrument Repair & Restoration Career Guide
Activity: YouTube tutorials on repairing woodwind, brass, and string instruments
Designing & Manufacturing Music Equipment
Extensions: Designing & Manufacturing Music Equipment
Music Equipment Design & Manufacturing Career Guide
Activity: Sketch a concept for a new type of instrument or music tech product.
Corporate Jobs in Musical Equipment Companies
Extensions: Corporate Jobs in Musical Equipment Companies
Corporate Music Careers Guide
Activity: Explore Corporate Roles in a Musical Equipment Company
Working in Music Retail & Sales
Extensions: Working in Music Retail & Sales
Music Retail & Sales Career Guide
Activity: Compare two popular music brands and analyze their marketing strategies.
Acoustic Consultant
Extensions: Acoustic Consultant
Acoustic Consultant’s Guide
Activity: Find the Best & Worst Sounding Places in a Building
AI & Music Technology Developer
Extensions: AI & Music Technology Developer
AI & Music Technology Guide
Activity: Experiment with an AI Music Tool Activity
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Music Nonprofits & Arts Administration
Extensions: Music Nonprofits & Arts Administration
Music Nonprofits & Arts Admin Career Guide
Activity: Research a music nonprofit and write a short summary of its mission, funding sources, and programs.
Music Therapy & Wellness
Extensions: Music Therapy & Wellness
How to become a Music Therapist
Additional Music Therapy Resources
Activity: Create a Personal “Feel-Good” Playlist
Running a Community Music Program
Extensions: Running a Community Music Program
Community Music Program Startup Guide
Activity: Develop a plan for a free music workshop
Music Education Advocacy & Policy
Extensions: Music Education Advocacy & Policy
Music Advocacy Action Plan
Activity: Write a letter to a local representative advocating for increased funding for music education.
Activity: Fund the Future: Pitch Your Music Non
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Monetizing YouTube, TikTok, & Social Media for Musicians
Extensions: Monetizing YouTube, TikTok, & Social Media for Musicians
Social Media Monetization Guide for Musicians
Activity: Building a Musician’s Social Media Calendar
Selling Digital Music Products & Loops
Extensions: Selling Digital Music Products & Loops
Selling Digital Music Products Guide
Activity: Building and Pricing a Digital Sample Pack
Earning Royalties & Licensing Music
Extensions: Earning Royalties & Licensing Music
Music Royalties & Licensing Guide
Activity: How Songs Make Money
Activity: Play Now, Get Paid Later: Passive Inco
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Resume & Portfolio Development
Extensions: Resume & Portfolio Development
Music Resume & Portfolio Guide
Activity: Building Your Music Industry Resume
Start Your Online Portfolio
Extensions: Start Your Online Portfolio
Online Portfolio Checklist
Activity: Your Digital Stage: Build Your Music Portfolio Website
Networking & Building a Personal Brand
Extensions: Networking & Building a Personal Brand
Networking & Personal Branding Guide
Activity: Pitch Perfect: Your Music Career in 60 Seconds
Financial Planning for Music Professionals
Extensions: Financial Planning for Music Professionals
Guide to Financial Planning for Musicians
Activity: Music & Money: Budgeting for a Sustainable Career
Finding & Applying for Music Industry Jobs
Extensions: Finding & Applying for Music Industry Jobs
Music Industry Job Search Guide
Activity: Get the Gig: Targeted Cover Letters for
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LinkedIn Groups for Music Industry Professionals
Extensions: LinkedIn Groups for Music Industry Professionals
LinkedIn Groups for Music Networking Guide
Activity: Join & Engage in a LinkedIn Group
Extensions: Member Organizations in the Music Industry
Activity: Find & Join a Music Organization
Guide to Music Industry Organizations
Final Thoughts
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Curated podcasts, books, videos, and websites to supplement lessons and expand learning opportunities.✅ Career-Building Activities & Interactive Exercises
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Show course videos in public settings, classrooms, workshops, and career center events without restriction.✅ One Simple Annual Payment – No Per-Student Fees
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Don't Let Doubt Hold You Back Another Day.
The World Needs Your Music — and You Deserve a Career That Lets You Share It.
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