Send us a text The Power of Hobbies: Enhancing Creativity and Well-Being for Musicians In this episode of The Music Executive Podcast, host Cinnamon Denise discusses the challenges of small talk and how delving into non-music related hobbies transformed her music career. By engaging in jewelry making, exploring the world of tea, and embracing fitness, Cinnamon enhanced her creativity, decreased anxiety, and discovered new skills. She emphasizes the importance of pursuing holistic self...

Send us a text Maximizing My Rehearsal Efficiency: 5 Essential Steps In this episode of the Music Executive Podcast, I delve into the importance of rehearsals and share five crucial steps that have significantly improved my own rehearsal experiences. I emphasize the necessity of: creating a detailed agendabeing promptadding funfollowing up with participants, andrecording rehearsal & performances for review These strategies are designed to help musicians of all levels, from full-time prof...

In this episode of The Music Executive, host Cinnamon Denise explores the innovative idea of using mood boards to enhance the music production process. Inspired by a YouTube series from a fashion designer, Cinnamon decided to implement mood boards to visually represent song concepts, aiding in decision-making and creativity. The episode details steps for creating and utilizing a mood board, aligning musical elements to it, and maintaining discipline throughout the songwriting process. L...

In this episode of The Music Executive, host Cinnamon Denise addresses the frustration of creating numerous incomplete projects and offers a strategic approach to overcome this cycle. By identifying three key skills and focusing on them exclusively for two to three months, artists can build confidence and see tangible progress. Cinnamon shares her personal journey, outlining how this method revitalized her music production and personal wellbeing. She emphasizes the importance of c...

Send us a text In this episode, I share ways to create, curate, and cultivate ethical collabs. Support the show Buy me a coffee: https://buymeacoffee.com/cinnamondenise Bandcamp: https://cinnamontal.bandcamp.com/ Instagram: @cinnamontal TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@_cinnamontal Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Cinnamontal

In this episode of the Music Executive Podcast, host Cinnamon Denise provides an in-depth guide on how to prepare for an open mic performance, drawing from her extensive experience as a live sound engineer, host, and musician. Cinnamon offers practical advice on understanding different types of open mics, adhering to venue rules and cultural norms, and being prepared with the right equipment and memorized music. Listeners will also learn the importance of bringing the right energy, bein...

In this episode of the Music Executive Podcast, host Cinnamon Denise shares insights into building a sustainable music career by exploring alternative career paths within the industry. Drawing from personal experiences and extensive research, the episode details four unique music-related career options: neuroscientist specializing in music cognition, ethnomusicologist, archivist, and interactive media/music specialist. Cinnamon Denise emphasizes the importance of broadening one’s horizo...

Send us a text In this episode, I share ways to identify if a low or no paying gig is worth it for you. Sometimes it truly is exposure. Sometime it's just exploitation of your time, skills, and resources. Let's do this Music Executives. Support the show Buy me a coffee: https://buymeacoffee.com/cinnamondenise Bandcamp: https://cinnamontal.bandcamp.com/ Instagram: @cinnamontal TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@_cinnamontal Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Cinnamontal

Send us a text On today's episode, I share how I have managed to "just keep swimming" if you will. There are so many things that we have to improve upon simultaneously. How do we not get overwhelmed? How do we see sustainable progress? Let's do this Music Executives. Support the show Buy me a coffee: https://buymeacoffee.com/cinnamondenise Bandcamp: https://cinnamontal.bandcamp.com/ Instagram: @cinnamontal TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@_cinnamontal Facebook: https://www.fa...

Send us a text We have all been there. I hope that this is not the truth but it probably is. Burn out. But because we have to work to eat, we are simply "pushing through." And what do we get when pushing through essentially leaves our bodies, our emotional states, our well being in jeopardy? BURN OUT. So in this episode, I wanted to be transparent with you and share how I've been able to identify when I am getting burned out and what I have done to combat that as I continue to ...

Send us a text Jazz Fusion pianist Philip Adair’s musical love affair began at a very young age. Although this is the story of many aspiring performers, Philip is one of the few musicians to turn his passion into a lucrative business. In this episode, he drops key nuggets on how to go from jam sessions and unique connections to multinational tours, without stretching yourself too thin. Philip’s talents stretch beyond jazz fusion. Check out his varied talents across multipl...

Send us a text The old saying “mother knows best” is just that...old. (sorry, mom) Great content, however, never gets old. And that’s where New Orleans based Trumpeter Nakia Peck comes in. Using the 5 strategies he explains in this episode, this musician & master content creator increased his audience count by 12,000 followers in just three months! This interview highlights the 5 key strategies you should use right now to create consistently fire content to gro...

In this episode of 'The Music Executive', host Cinnamon Denise welcomes Isaiah Hill, a self-taught piano player and successful music composer based in Atlanta, Georgia. Isaiah has played for notable artists like Keith Sweat, Monica, and Tamar Braxton. He shares insights about his journey, from learning piano as a child to earning a full tuition scholarship at the prestigious Berkelee College of Music. Isaiah discusses his transition from performing live to composing music for television...

In this episode of 'The Music Executive,' host Cinnamon Denise welcomes Tangela, an Austin-based audio engineer with an impressive portfolio, including work on productions like Hamilton and Little Mermaid. Tangela shares her journey from church audio setups to college and professional sound engineering, emphasizing the importance of persistence and finding mentors. The discussion covers pet peeves in live sound, the significance of preparation and safety, and offers industry tips ...

In this special episode of The Music Executive, host Cinnamon Denise interviews Infinitus, a critically acclaimed beatboxing string trio known for their unique fusion of classical, hip hop, jazz, and Latin music. The trio, consisting of John, Anthony, and Alex, share their journey from university friends to an innovative musical ensemble. They discuss the challenges they faced in creating their sound, their transition from senior outreach to educational shows, and their approach t...

In this episode of The Music Executive, host Cinnamon Denise welcomes Dustin Fichter, an Atlanta-based musician known for his guitar skills and diverse collaborations. Raised with a strong jazz background and influenced by his aunt, a violinist for the Atlanta Symphony, Dustin shares his journey into music and the importance of sight reading. The discussion covers effective practice strategies, particularly for those with limited time, and emphasizes the significance of warming up...

In this episode of 'The Music Executive,' host Cinnamon Denise welcomes guest J'na Jefferson, a New York-based content creator and producer with extensive experience in both print and digital editorial work. J'na shares insights from her journey in journalism, detailing her transition into audio production. She describes her work with Universal Music Group on creating talk playlists that bring historical music narratives to life. Jayna also offers advice for aspiring writers, emphasizes...

In this episode of 'The Music Executive,' host Cinnamon Denise interviews Jeff Ralston, a talented guitarist and friend. Jeff shares his experiences of moving to Atlanta, transitioning his music career, and how he prepared to succeed in a new city. The discussion covers critical aspects of laying a solid foundation, doing the footwork, and crushing the real work to establish oneself as a professional musician. Jeff emphasizes the importance of having an online...

In this episode, Cinnamon interviews Emmanuel Chops Smith, an accomplished pianist, singer, producer, arranger, and band leader. Emmanuel shares his musical journey from playing in church as a child to leading bands and performing across various genres. The discussion delves into the importance of camaraderie, good pay, and quality music in bands, along with key takeaways from Emmanuel's experience as both a successful band member and a leader. Buy me a coffee: https://buymeacof...

In this episode of The Music Executive, the host welcomes Jenna Funicella, a high school math teacher who embarked on an impressive songwriting journey. Jenna took on the challenge of writing one song every day in April, a task that tested her creativity and perseverance. She discusses the motivations behind the challenge, the emotional connection to her music, and the practical steps she took to meet her goals, such as using voice recordings and exploring differen...