Astrid Baumgardner | Musicians, Conservatory Students and Music Faculty

Inspiring Change | Empowering Success

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Horn Player and Manhattan School of Music Student

"[Career Planning for Music Entrepreneurs] was a fantastic workshop. In many ways, I wish that the topics covered in your seminar were part of the core curriculum for conservatory training. For musicians, self-esteem is closely related to artistic success which is in turn deeply intertwined with successful artistic endeavors. Goal-setting strategies, project planning, asking the key questions which help to unlock hidden information--- these are the skills necessary for building a platform of success.

I thought your seminar was a fresh look at how artists, and specifically musicians can do this. I was particularly interested how you were able to blend aspects of the disciplined-black-and-white corporate world with the artistic needs of musicians. Your advice was direct and pertinent, without being harsh and cold. It created a sense of possibility and enablement, which surprisingly started an ebb and flow of ideas in my mind, even while you were speaking. I was compelled to start jotting down ideas as the seminar was going on.

I look forward to working with you in the future, this is exactly the kind of devil's advocate, brain-picking, and support I need to see my upcoming projects into reality."

— John-Morgan B, New York, NY

Clarinetist and Juilliard
graduate

I loved the fact that you made people get out of their comfort zone and share things with the group that they would otherwise have not done. That is something that I admire a lot, and you have a great gift for being able to do that! Bravo!

— VD, New York, NY

Pianist and Yale School of Music Graduate

It was instrumental in this time of my career to work with Ms. Astrid Baumgardner. She was an empowering source of inspiration, energy, and hope. Her workshop should be required at every musical institution.

—Amy Y, Philadelphia, Pa.

Double Bassist and Juilliard Student

I was deeply, deeply inspired by the lecture that Astrid Baumgardner gave in Juilliard. It really helped me put things into perspective. Not just of my art but of the way I live my life and I encourage everyone to really listen to what she has to say. If you realize the importance of analyzing who you are, you already realized the secret to a happy life and to success. The next step from that is to teach it to others and clearly Ms. Baumgardner is way ahead of us.

—BH, New York, NY

Double bassist and juilliard Graduate

While I do consider myself a pretty good time manager, I learned that you also need a positive attitude; moreover, that you need to be able to wake up in the morning with a tough day ahead of you and see it as an opportunity to shine rather than a day of toil....After the class I was able to prioritize, include enough time for rest, and be positive throughout the day. Sure enough, everything worked out really smoothly and my stress level was considerably lower.

I liked your enthusiasm and the fact that you knew you were talking about. Your enthusiasm to me translated into the will to help others. You had very valuable information to share and you made it a point to present it effectively so that everyone who attended could take something from it. Thanks for that.

— PJC, New York, NY

Musicians, Conservatory Students and Music Faculty

I bring a unique perspective to workshops for musicians, conservatory students and university and conservatory music faculty thanks to my role as the Coordinator of Career Strategies and Lecturer on Careers in Music at the Yale School of Music. I present workshops at leading music conservatories and music festivals including The Juilliard School, Manhattan School of Music, Stetson Univeristy and the Norfolk Chamber Music Festival/Yale School of Music. The following are examples of recent workshops that I have done for musicians music faculty and conservatory students.

Career Planning for Music Entrepreneurs: How to Set Yourself Up for Success

In this four-part workshop, we learn how to develop the positive attitude of an entrepreneur. We then acquire the elements of professional success based on each individual’s values, strengths and favorite areas of interest. Using these tools, we master the powerful goal-setting and achievement process whereby participants create their career vision, set their career goals and learn how to break these goals into manageable actions. Finally, we identify and conquer the principle challenges to career success. Participants come away with a career action plan that we complete together during the workshop.

Financial Planning for Professional Musicians: How to Become a Music Entrepreneur and Create a Sustainable Career

This workshop equips young professional musicians with financial goal-setting skills and personal development tools and skills that enable them to create sustainable professional careers. First we learn how to develop the positive attitude of an entrepreneur. We then examine the different career options for musicians and set career goals. In the third part of the workshop, we teach basic financial literacy, essential financial skills for music entrepreneurs and the elements of a successful business plan. We conclude by taking the workshop participants through the process of creating their own financial action plan which they can immediately begin to implement.

The Power of Personal Branding

This workshop teaches the power of knowing and using your personal brand in your professional career. We first learn what a brand is and then create a personal brand statement. Participants then formulate their “elevator speeches” and learn how to use their personal brands in their careers. The workshop concludes with role-playing where participants practice using their brand statements and elevator speeches.

Networking Intensive

In this workshop, we learn the principles of networking and how to go about networking so that it feels safe and authentic. We also practice our new networking skills through various role-plays. This workshop works very well with The Power of Personal Branding workshop.

Peak Positive Performance Strategies

This workshop explores how to overcome performance anxiety and the voice of the inner critic through positive interventions. We first examine how to adopt a postiive attitude towards performing. We then examine strengths and what you are like at "Flow" (your optimal best) and set goals for how to become the Ideal Performer. In the last part of the workshop, we explore strategies for overcoming the inner critic. Participants emerge from this workshop with a variety of strategies that help them tap into their best selves and enjoy the experience of performing.

Take Charge of Your Time: An Artist’s Guide to Productivity and Time Management

This workshop teaches the principles of time management and productivity. First we examine values and strengths. Then we learn to set values-based goals and priorities. Finally, we learn productivity skills and time management strategies focusing first on external skills and then overcoming internal blocks to effective time management. During the workshop, participants work on their professional and personal goals and priorities and learn how to use their new productivity and time management skills in order to feel more in charge of their lives.

The Art of Career Planning for Music Faculty: How to Model and Teach Career Success

This workshop is geared towards music faculty so that they can model the mindset of the music entrepreneur and help their students with career success. We first learn how to adopt the positive attitude of the music entrepreneur. We then examine the elements of professional success based on each individual’s values, strengths and favorite areas of interest and use this information to set and achieve inspiring and realistic career goals. Finally, we learn to identify and conquer the principle challenges to career success.

The Power of Dynamic Communication

In this workshop, we examine the 4 different communication styles and learn how to use the styles both as a tool to develop one’s personal communication strengths and as a way to communicate more effectively with others. In the second part, we learn the key skills in being an effective dynamic communicator. Participants then break into small groups to practice their new skills and use their understanding of communication styles through scenarios and role-playing. In preparation for the workshop, participants complete an assessment of the communication styles so that they know their style and they gain an understanding of how to work with the other 3 styles.

The Artist's Guide to Successful Conflict Management

This workshop focuses on the 5 different conflict management styles and the key skills to managing conflict. In Part I, participants learn about their default conflict management style and how to use the other styles where appropriate. In Part II, we learn the key skills to being an effective conflict manager. We then break into small groups to practice these skills and use the best strategy through scenarios and role-playing. In preparation for the workshop, participants complete an assessment of the conflict management styles so that they know their style and they gain an understanding of how to use and work with the other 4 styles.