The Performing Artist Career Seminar

This course provides a comprehensive overview of essential skills for musicians and artists to build and sustain a successful career in the modern music industry. Students will explore trademark laws, copyright, royalties, and licensing to protect their work, while developing artist bios, resumes, and social media presence to shape their brand identity. The course covers practical skills like building websites, managing music distribution, and organizing tours, with an emphasis on understanding industry roles such as managers, agents, and publicists. Students will gain hands-on experience through workshops on writing bios and learning how to release and distribute music. Additionally, students will be introduced to the fundamentals of music business accounting, grants, crowdfunding, and concert booking. By the end of the course, students will have created short and long-term action plans; designed business materials; registered with appropriate CMOs; discussed, analyzed, and researched their interest area of the music industry and related contacts. Students will have also developed their own online presence, including a website, EPK, and social media strategy, preparing them for a dynamic, professional music career. Each semester one section will be offered in person and another will be offered online.