Inspiration

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Eight Festive Advent Calendars for Musicians

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Eight Festive Advent Calendars for Musicians

Advent is a season of hope, patience, expectation, and waiting. A reminder that light follows darkness; we cannot have one without the other. This is why I love Advent calendars—a tangible way to count the days of December and hold on to hope.

Whether you’re counting down to Christmas, Winter Break, or the end of concert season, an Advent calendar can offer a new rhythm or structure to your days. For busy musicians, it’s a simple way to pause and take in one small moment of reflection, joy, or nostalgia.

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My 2025 Book List

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My 2025 Book List

One of my favorite ways to kick off the New Year is by diving into a new reading list. It’s become a tradition here on the blog to share my book picks at the start of each year—a mix of business insights, inspiring memoirs, thought-provoking nonfiction, and a few captivating novels to round things out.

The Best Books I Read in 2024

The Best Books I Read in 2024

December is my favorite reading month of the year. I’m wrapping up my reading list for the year, reflecting on everything I’ve read, and simultaneously making my list for next year.

I made a book list at the beginning of the year (as is my tradition here on the blog) and it’s always interesting to see how this shapes and informs my reading for the year.

What I Read (and Loved) in 2023

What I Read (and Loved) in 2023

It’s been my tradition here on the blog to write a brief review of what I read during the year and share my favorites.

If you’re new here, you should know that I tend to alternate between business and entrepreneurship books and novels, with a few memoirs and non-fiction selections added in. This year, I read 29 books (not counting the few I started but didn’t finish).

Here’s the book list I made at the beginning of the year.

Looking for a few new books to read in 2024? In this post, I’m sharing what I read this year, plus the seven best books I read in 2023.

Happy reading!

The 5 Best Books I Read in 2021

The 5 Best Books I Read in 2021

Every year in December, I take some time to look back at all the books I’ve read in the past year.

If you know me, you know I always set out with a book list, and then undoubtedly change my mind as I discover books on Instagram, podcasts, and blogs, and as books come recommended by friends.

This year, I read 22 books (not counting the ones I started and didn’t finish).

Book Review: What I Learned From "The Creative Habit"

Book Review: What I Learned From "The Creative Habit"

As a creative, I love reading about other people's creative processes: their habits and work routines, the decisions they make, the way they think, and how they see the world.

Here are my three biggest takeaways from The Creative Habit.

Follow along with my creative work and daily adventures: @ashleydanyew

The 2025 Musician &Co. Gift Guide is here! 🎁 This year’s guide includes everything from practicing aids to fine art prints, gifts for coffee lovers and readers, Advent calendars to luxury gifts, plus a great list of stocking stuffers und
And… action! 🎥🦁 Happy Halloween! #rorydoglife
Fall in the Finger Lakes. 🍁 It was a quick weekend trip, but full of so many special memories. A highlight was eating blueberry pancakes outside one morning - 47 degrees, but sunny and warm enough to not need a jacket! #danyewadventures #rorydogl
🎨 New on the Musician & Co. blog: An interview with cellist, teacher, and illustrator Megan Chartier (@inkermezzo). I first discovered Megan’s work here on Instagram a few years ago—I was captivated by her portraiture and musical il
Our October Musician & Co. book club pick is here! 📖 Practicing is an essential part of music learning, but many of us may still struggle with the best and most efficient way to approach it. Violist and scholar, Dr. @mollygebrian looks at the