🎼✨♟️ Prediction #1 - It's all about the pivot
Flexibility and adaptability will define success in 2025—embrace change and learn how to pivot.
In basketball, pivot is “a movement in which the player holding the ball may move in any direction with one foot while keeping the other (the pivot foot) in contact with the floor” (source: Oxford Languages).
Did you catch that last part? One foot is free to move in any direction, but the other, the pivot foot stays on the floor. There’s freedom in pivoting—you can move in any direction!—but you're also grounded, rooted, and connected to where you were before.
➡️ What this means for you: Pay attention to new technology and your audience's needs. Experiment with short-form video, live-streaming, or hybrid teaching models. How can you explore new directions while staying connected to your mission and values as an artist?
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🎼✨♟️ Prediction #2 - Innovation will set you apart
Standing out isn’t about getting attention; it’s about thinking differently.
Innovation means to “make changes in something established, especially by introducing new methods, ideas, or products.” It’s about inventing, reinventing, and being willing to test new ideas, experiment, and grow.
➡️ What this means for you: Think about how to reinvent something that's always been done the same way. Ask, “Who says abc has to look like xyz?” Challenge yourself to think of new ways to market yourself, develop interactive concert experiences, or diversify your income streams.
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🎼✨♟️ Prediction #3 - Mindset matters
In 2025, thinking and acting like a business won’t be optional. You’re not “just” a musician; you’re a brand, a business owner, and an arts leader.
Whether it’s setting financial goals, tracking your income and expenses, or negotiating contracts, it’s time to start treating your music career like a business (even if it’s just you over there, wearing all the hats).
➡️ What this means for you: Build systems now—like a simple budgeting spreadsheet, an email list, or a monthly marketing plan. You don't have to start everything at once, but getting a few foundational elements in place will help set you up for success in the future.
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🎼✨♟️ Prediction #4 - It's the year of collaboration
In music school, we spend a lot of time training to be independent: Private lessons, hours alone in the practice room, and choosing a solitary career path.
But, in our increasingly connected world, relationships are your greatest asset. Networking (in person and online), collaborating with other creatives (and non-creatives!), and building a supportive community is crucial.
➡️ What this means for you: Think beyond what's been done before. How could you work with visual artists, architects, engineers, content creators, or app developers? How do your skills and experiences complement each other?
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