MOMENTUM

FROM THE DESK OF ANDY BLISS

ISSUE #1 III SEP 7, 2023

Hi gang! 👋 Andy here.

Today's a big day for me.

I'm thrilled to share that I'm starting a weekly newsletter, with the intention of serving creatives on topics surrounding intentionality, entrepreneurship, and technology — and how they intersect with our most inspired creative ideas.

This is year #19 of my professional journey in the arts. It's been a challenging and fulfilling career with one constant: the quest for momentum toward the next exciting project.

So welcome to Momentum, my 5-minute weekly newsletter about what's working for growth-minded creative entrepreneurs like us.

I'm grateful to share this with you. Now, let's move the needle.

Quote of the Week

"Creativity is allowing yourself to make mistakes. Art is knowing which ones to keep."
— Scott Adams

THE STORY

Since 2020 I've been working through a significant shift in my professional output. My graduate work was heavily focused on being the best concert percussionist I could be, as well as examining how the world of academia worked. I've been living that life to the fullest since 2006(ish) when I got my first job as Adjunct Percussion Professor at Centre College. And it's been amazing. I absolutely love my work.

As a professor, much of my day-to-day involves coaching students. For years, I've noticed that much of the transformation in those coachings occurs around the topics of project design and career development. I've been able to help individuals see a bigger picture for their projects, which often is a result of reviewing their skills and interests at large.

Through years of coaching high school through professional musicians, many conversations turn toward unpacking their dreams around a creative career, and this is often where I've found combining some of their other personality traits can be hugely beneficial. Recently I had a great conversation with my graduate student, a record-setting high school soccer player. What does it look like if we merge those interests, or at least some of the skills acquired there, with music?

Publicly, I've upheld the "percussion professor" mold for years, and was honestly always afraid to share much outside of that persona. I somehow felt like everything about me had to match that profile. Recently a professor colleague of mine professed to feeling the same restraint.

So, since 2020, I've been working to allow more of my other interests and strengths into my work publicly, and it's been so refreshing and liberating.

For me, some of those interests primarily revolve around a few things:

Technology: my family has owned a Mac since I was in grade school, I worked in the computer department at Best Buy through high school and college, and few know that I began my undergraduate degree as a Computer Science major. When I review this path it's clear to me that fusing music and technology was always something I should have had as a priority vs. only choosing one lane.
Entrepreneurship: as an undergrad me and a few friends formed our own percussion quartet, then in grad school I co-founded Nief-Norf. After meeting some students in different locations who I thought would benefit from working together, I (with very little strategic thought) threw together the Nief-Norf Summer Festival. The word "entrepreneurship" can be overused or come with baggage — for me it just means being unafraid to carve a path that best suits us, our collaborators, and those we serve.
Intentionality: I get very nerdy about goal setting, reviews, and am a fierce advocate for ~~multi~~ solo-tasking. I'm my happiest when I'm able to focus on a single area of deep work for a few hours at a time. At the moment that is writing this memo; later today that will include playing drums with the UT Steelband, helping my students with their recent audition materials, and building a LEGO MOC I'm working on in my basement. I've consumed a lot on the topic and have enjoyed sharing what I've learned to try to help others I've found who struggle with all of the distractions in our world today.

Perhaps there are a few details there that are new to you. But I believe these are things that have made me unique as a teacher and they're also the reasons I send my students to study with as many people as possible.

Everyone has their own take and experiences to offer to the conversation.

YOUR CALL TO ACTION

Now it's your turn! Here's my challenge to you.

Write down 5 things that you enjoy that aren't directly related to your musical identity (i.e. clarinetist or music theorist).
Review the list and see if any of those traits, interests, or passions might be a new opportunity for you to add value to your creative work.
Choose 1 you're the most excited about and share something about it online this week to see how it feels!
Bonus: I'd love for you to send one over to me as well by replying to this note. I always enjoy hearing from you.

Today I'm thrilled to start a new adventure and I'm excited to do it together. I'm going to work really hard to keep these writings as value-filled as possible.

Thanks so much for reading.

With gratitude,

Andy 🆎

RECENT FAVORITE THINGS

🌏 GetSound App - I've been using this app while I work and I love the ambient soundscapes. I used to use the Apple Music Ambient Playlist, but love that this is just a click. And if you're a SetApp subscriber (affiliate link), it's included with your subscription. If you're someone who can't listen to music while you work, you might give this a shot.
🥁 MikesLessons.Com - Amazing platform. I just re-subscribed after a break this summer, and am having a blast working through the lessons on my own and in my classes with students. Stellar example of a solopreneur in the arts, and also a top shelf example of synergizing teaching with technology and media. Highly recommend for anyone wanting to improve on drumset from absolute beginners to seasoned veterans. I promise you'll have fun and reduce stress.

AB News & Notes

Monday September 25th at 7:30PM is the season debut for Ensemble Knox, the resident percussion group I direct at the University of Tennessee. We'll be playing music by Akiho, Peacocke, Luther Adams and more, and would for you to check it out locally or on the live stream.
Nief-Norf was recently awarded a Bailey Opportunity grant and will be performing on Friday October 6th at the Emporium Arts Gallery for First Friday for the Bailey Grantees Showcase. I'd love to see some local friends at the show if you're near Knoxville, TN.

Did you receive this via a forward from a friend? I'd love to have you in the community!

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