Episode 31: ITF Recap

This week, Karen recounts her experience at the International Trombone Festival that took place in Muncie, IN a few weeks ago. She talks about the top three things that she learned and the importance of attending festivals, workshops, and conferences.

1. Showing up 

It can’t be so easy for anyone to come up with a reason not to attend a workshop or music festival but showing up is the first step! Karen experienced such growth and change amongst ITF participants just from being surrounded by their peers and attending masterclasses led by their heroes. By putting yourself in these situations, you can easily find your people and continue your journey towards having a successful career. 

2. Get Involved 

The next step in making a change and moving forward in your career is to get involved! During ITF, Karen found herself as a member of a diversity panel amongst a number of incredible trombonists simply because she asked and showed interest! Despite not even being a trombonist herself, Karen knew that she could have a voice and make a difference in this situation and ended up having her voice heard.  You don’t have to have a big title or have a place in a major orchestra to be making a difference. Taking a chance and simply asking can make all the difference in helping you find your place and how you can have an impact. 

3. Playing Well With Others

Doesn’t matter who you are, how well you play, or what you’ve accomplished, you will not advance in your career if you can not play well with others. Being kind and flexible can open doors for you that you never even thought possible. At ITF, Karen’s husband and COO of CAS, Nick Laufer, was the yes man. He did everything he could to help as many people as possible and ensure that everyone was getting what they needed to have the best experience possible. Nick’s selflessness and willingness to go the extra mile for others resulted in him being asked to judge the trombone quartet competition that he and his quartet had won a decade earlier! It just goes to show that if people enjoy you and appreciate you as a person, you are more likely to be given more opportunities and ultimately lead to greater success. 

So get out there and show up, get involved, and be a good person! If you are the smartest person in the room you are in the wrong room. 

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