The Tools I Use to Run My Business (and My Life)

The Tools I Use to Run My Business (and My Life)

In today’s digital age, there are a number of software programs, hosting platforms, apps, and tools designed to help you do your best work.

Some are designed to simplify things or take the guesswork out of decision-making. Others are designed to save you time and help you focus more on creating than organizing or getting set up.

I'm always curious about what tools and resources others use to organize and run their creative businesses (and life in general), so today, I thought I’d give you a peek behind-the-scenes into my own life and business and the tools I use on a daily and weekly basis.

3 Things I'm Learning About Being a Musicpreneur

3 Things I'm Learning About Being a Musicpreneur

I always knew I wanted to be a freelancer. I liked the variety of doing different kinds of work: teaching, accompanying, writing, creating, designing.

But I didn’t really know what it meant (from a practical standpoint) to be a music entrepreneur (musicpreneur for short) until I was in grad school.

As a musicpreneur, you wear two hats:

  • You’re the CEO — the money person, the one making big decisions about your brand and values and the work you’ll do, the one paying quarterly taxes and reading about SEO and conversion rates.

  • And you’re the artist — the creative one, the dreamer, the idea person, the one seeking inspiration and doing the work, the one learning the music and planning the lessons and exploring the bounds of creativity.

A New Virtual Children's Music Curriculum for Advent

A New Virtual Children's Music Curriculum for Advent

Advent looks a little different this year, doesn’t it?

In the midst of a global pandemic, we know what it feels like to be a people walking in darkness, waiting for the light. We know what it feels like to hope for something and long for peace in the world.

This year, Advent takes on new meaning for us. But that doesn’t mean we have less to celebrate.

Whether you're gathering via Zoom or in person (6' apart), here's a fresh, creative resource you can use with your children's choir this season.

8 Skills That Set You Apart as a Church Musician

8 Skills That Set You Apart as a Church Musician

A career in church music and ministry requires a variety of skills:

  • Performance skills: playing for worship and accompanying choirs, instrumentalists, and congregational singing. It sometimes includes harmonizing melodies, improvising, transposing, and even composing some of your own service music from time to time.

  • Leadership skills: choosing music that ties in with the rest of the service, perhaps selecting hymns each week, and leading the congregation in song.

  • Educational skills: introducing a variety of musical styles into worship, teaching new hymns or songs to the congregation, and if you’re directing an ensemble, teaching music-reading, rhythm, technique, musical expression, and aural skills.

Editorial: The Doing is the Thing

Editorial: The Doing is the Thing

There’s a lot going on in the world these days and a lot to occupy our minds and hearts.

There are new rules (keep 6’ of distance from others), old rules (love your neighbor), and a running list of things to remember (first and foremost, what day is it?).

There are racial injustices and protests happening around the U.S., a global pandemic to worry about, and an upcoming election that has everyone picking sides (p.s. Are you registered to vote?)

What do we do with all this information?

How to Host an Online Piano Recital

How to Host an Online Piano Recital

Every year in my studio, we celebrate the end of the school year with a spring recital.

Each student prepares two pieces — sometimes memorized, sometimes with duets played by me or a parent or an older sibling or even a friend in the studio, and always with lots of supportive friends and family members in the audience.

This spring, like teachers around the world, I found myself suddenly immersed in the world of online teaching.

I knew that instead of gathering in person in the school theater on a Saturday morning in late May, we’d need to find another way to celebrate this year. We’d need to find a way to move the recital (like everything else in life) online.

How to Teach Music Lessons Online (+ Inside My Home Teaching Studio)

How to Teach Music Lessons Online (+ Inside My Home Teaching Studio)

A few weeks ago, I made the decision to keep my studio virtual this year.

Some schools are reopening here (with lots of precautions, staggered starts, alternating live and virtual days, etc.), including the school where I normally teach. I spent a lot of time this summer thinking about the in-person lesson experience and what that might look like:

Editorial: Meeting the Moment

Editorial: Meeting the Moment

I recently discovered a new docuseries called Dear…

Each episode features a well-known figure — Oprah Winfrey, Stevie Wonder, Aly Raisman, Jane Goodall, among others — and letters they’ve received from people changed or influenced by their work. The content of the letters is woven into a biographical narrative, providing greater insight into the main figure and the life they’ve led.

One of the people profiled is musician and writer Lin-Manuel Miranda, of Hamilton fame.

Handbell Music for Very Small Groups (6-8 Bells)

Handbell Music for Very Small Groups (6-8 Bells)

No one could have predicted what 2020 would look like. Who could have imagined the things church musicians around the world would find themselves doing this year?

  • Figuring out how to teach music via Zoom

  • Recording parts for home practice

  • Creating a virtual choir video of some sort

  • Navigating the world of online worship

  • Marking 6 feet of distance with masking tape

  • Reading research articles about aerosols and air ventilation

How Can We Keep From Singing?

How Can We Keep From Singing?

Has there ever been a moment in history when we were told we couldn’t sing?

For centuries (millenniums, even) we as a people have found singing to be a symbol of hope, community, and joy; a tool of reconciliation, justice, and peace. And now, in this season of isolation, we recognize that music can still bring us together even when we can’t be together.

But what about singing?

Now is the time we need music the most. And yet, we’re told that it’s not safe to sing together. That singing poses a greater risk than talking, whispering, or staying silent.

How will we respond to this moment?

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

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What’s the biggest challenge you’re facing in your music career? Here’s what I hear most often: “I don’t know where to start” “I don’t know where to put my focus” “Not sure which path to ta
Sending you love and warm wishes this season! Here’s to another year of teaching, writing, creating beautiful music, and building community wherever we are. 💛🎵🥂 Love, Ashley, Steve, and Rory