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"Where Can I Go With a Music Degree...?" 
 

About

Edition 2024 

The inaugural edition of "Where Can I Go With A Music Degree...?" included a total of 25 guest speakers, spanning 5 roundtables, 2 workshops and a closing panel with CBC Radio Host Tom Allen. 

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Workshop and roundtable topics varied from community music, career planning and development, and the real value of a music education to redefining "success" in the industry and normalizing a wider variety of career paths.

 

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 past speakers and panels below.  
About
Edition 2024
Speakers

Our Sponsors

LEADING IN THE INDUSTRY

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Jazz Artist & Lead Technical Recruiter, Avid

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Executive & Artistic Director, Xenia Concerts & Founder, Pocket Concerts 

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Melissa Scott

Principal Oboe, Kingston Symphony & Owner, Sandpiper Oboe Boutique

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Neurologic Music Therapist, RP, MTA, NMT-F

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Harpist, Content Creator, & Graphic Designer & Art Director, Leaf Music

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Diana Lam

Owner, Ottawa Flute Repair & Founder, Quintissimo

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Amelia Lyon

Principal Flute, Kingston Symphony & Owner,

Yarns Untangled 

2024 Speakers 

FEATURED INDUSTRY PROFESSIONALS

Workshop Clinicians 

FEATURED INDUSTRY PROFESSIONALS

In our evolving artistic landscape, how does one find and define one's own artistic voice? This workshop is an opportunity to discuss strategies to chart your own artistic path based on your individual identity, interests and values.

 

Dr. Dinuk Wijeratne will lead participants using tools and strategies from his own how-to guide "for creators across disciplines." Jan Bottomer, McGill University's Music & Arts Career Advisor will share insights gained from her 10+ years of career development work with music students. 

Workshop #1 – Feb. 3, 12:30 EST

"Finding Your Artistic Voice"

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Carole Bestvater

                      .        

Workshop #2 – Feb. 4, 12:30 EST

"What Is Community Music?"

This workshop will serve as an introduction to Community Music led by Dr. Amy Hillis of

York University. How can music be used as a tool for empowering communities and facilitating social change?

 

To illustrate Community Music in action, the workshop will showcase two community leaders and community music organizations unique to Canada: Carole Bestvater of Strong Harbour Strings in St. John's, NL and

Dr. Richard Marsella of Community Music

Schools of Toronto. 

Closing Panel – Special Guest

This closing panel is a conversation between the event hosts and guest speaker Tom Allen, centered around the value of a music education and the power of music as a tool for human connection.

Closing Panel – Feb. 4, 4:00 pm (EST)

"The Real Value of a Music Education" 

Workshop 1
Workshop 2
Tom Allen
2024 Speakers

Schedule Day 1

February 3, 2024

All roundtables will be 90 minutes; workshops will be 75 minutes. Times in EST.

10:00

Roundtable #1

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"What I Wish I Had Learned in Music School"

For this opening discussion of the weekend, guest panellists will be reflecting on the most important takeaways from their professional experience thus far and what they wish they had known about careers in the music industry while they were in school.  

Panelists: Dr. Carson Becke, Brandyn Lewis, Janna Sailor, Aria Umezawa

11:30

Lunch Break

12:30

Clinicians: Jan Bottomer, Dr. Dinuk Wijeratne

14:15

Round Table #2

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"How to Create Your Own Work & Fund Your Projects"

This roundtable features guests who have founded and sustained their own ensembles and musical organizations. The discussion will centre around the entrepreneurial skills required to develop your own projects (such as fundraising, networking, marketing, and more).

Panelists: Amahl Arulanandam & Dr. Bryan Holt (VC2), Vincent Lauzer, Rory McLeod, Dr. Andrea Stewart

16:00

Virtual Meet & Greet 

An opportunity for participants to meet our hosts & panelists, and to ask them questions in a more informal setting. Bring a drink, a snack, and your curiosity!

Schedule Day 2

February 4, 2024

All roundtables will be 90 minutes; workshops will be 75 minutes. Times in EST.

10:00

Roundtable #3

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"Multidisciplinary Careers"

This roundtable features guests who have performing arts careers while working simultaneously in other disciplines. We'll find out what led them to embark on multidisciplinary career paths and the steps they took to achieve those goals.

Panelists: Amelia Lyon, Beth McKenna, Melissa Scott, Kristan Toczko 

11:30

Lunch Break

12:30

Clinicians: Carole Bestvater, Dr. Amy Hillis, Dr. Richard Marsella

14:15

Round Table #4

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"Using Your Music Degree as a Foundation" 

In this final roundtable discussion, panelists will discuss their experiences pivoting to music-related fields which do not necessarily centre around public performance (e.g. instrument repair, sound engineering, music therapy, arts administration, and portfolio careers).

Panelists: Diana Lam, Jenna Richards, Melissa Tan, Jeremy VanSlyke

16:00

Special Guest: Tom Allen

In conversation with event hosts, Lara Deutsch, Dr. Amy Hillis and Dr. Cindy Thong 

17:00

Virtual Meet & Greet 

An opportunity for participants to meet our hosts & panelists, and to ask them questions in a more informal setting. Bring a drink, a snack, and your curiosity!

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5

2

DAYS
SPEAKERS
ROUNDTABLES
WORKSHOPS
Schedule

Meet the Event Organizers

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Acadia University

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Carleton University

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Our Sponsors

Generously supported by:

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Contact Us

"Where Can I Go With a Music Degree...?

INSIGHTS FROM INDUSTRY PROFESSIONALS

What

An online roundtable series engaging conversation with a diverse cross-section of industry professionals about a life in music and the value of a musical education.

When

Sessions taking place:

 

January 25th, 2025

February 1st, 2025

February 8th, 2025

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11 AM - 12:30 PM (EST) 

Where

Virtual Webinar

Contact Us

To learn more, don’t hesitate to get in touch

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© 2025 Cindy Thong. All Rights Reserved.

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