Ep. 114 - Professor of Saxophone and Performer - Dr. J. Michael Weiss-Holmes

Welcome back to the Joust About Careers podcast! I’m your host, Brian Bratt, and this week’s guest is 2000 VB graduate Dr. J. Michael Weiss-Holmes, who is a Professor of Saxophone and performer. In this episode, Michael shares how he developed the skills necessary to become both a performer and professor, why performers typically travel with their own instruments, how he doesn’t fall into the starving artist category, and much more. Whether you are interested in a career as a musician or professor or are still exploring your options, I hope that what Michael shares today will help all of you make better career decisions and have fulfilling career journeys. Enjoy the show!1:07 - A typical day for a professor of saxophone.2:30 - Performance and teaching are both a large part of Michael’s career as a musician.5:06 - Michael plays a variety of instruments and also sings.6:07 - Upon finishing high school, there were no plans to earn a doctorate degree.8:46 - Advice for those who want to go beyond a bachelor’s degree in the music industry.9:56 - Not all artists are starving, and there are many positions in the arts beyond teaching and performing.12:39 - Michael did spend some time working for music-related companies.14:46 - High school students can get involved with music associations before they graduate.16:55 - Traveling with a saxophone18:38 - The positives and challenges of a career as a saxophone professor and performer.22:44 - Many of Michael’s students have gone on to career success in the music industry.24:21 - What Michael knows now about careers that he wishes he had known when he was in high school.Questions?Connect with Michael on LinkedIn (linkedin.com/in/jmichaelholmes). Connect with Brian on LinkedIn (linkedin.com/in/brian-bratt/).