Welcome to Grace Notes
Art is fire + algebra
So, you wanna be an artist entrepreneur?
You put yourself out there. You hustle. You fail A LOT. And people look at you weird.
GOOD.
This is why started Grace Notes. This weekly newsletter will be your cheat sheet—like that notecard you taped under the sleeve of your graphing calculator in Algebra 2 (I won’t tell).
Jorge Luis Borges once said that “art is fire plus algebra.”
Well, if art is fire + algebra, then this newsletter is a molten quadratic equation.
Why this, why now
I’ve spent my entire career (10 years now) ABSORBING books, podcasts, documentaries, YouTube videos, and the advice from numerous mentors. Every step of this process has been uncomfortable, and I wouldn’t have it any other way.
Now that I have some career experience under my belt, and I want to serve my audience and share some of the things I’ve learned, and what I’m continuing to learn to this day.
I started this newsletter for three reasons:
I wanted to improve my writing skills
I wanted to connect with my audience in a more intimate way.
I wanted to give actionable advice to my audience in a different, more digestible way.
The community I’m looking to build here
I want to build a supportive community that helps each other out. I want to support artists who are willing to think outside the box. My aim is to assist people who want to build businesses and be their own boss, but may not know exactly where to start.
One thing I do know for sure: If you’re unable to leave your comfort zone, nothing I say here can help you. I abide by the notion “if it is to be, it’s up to me.”
Working for incompetent people over the years has taught me that I would rather be my own boss.
I strive to be someone that builds lasting institutions—someone who serves the people he leads. So, walk with me along the road less traveled.
When will you hear from me?
Check your inbox each Friday!
Topics I will cover in this newsletter:
Stories from my life as a professional freelance violist in Los Angeles, CA. From performing for major motion pictures to unpaid performances behind strip clubs (my work has range) 😂
Mental models, frameworks, and systems that I’ve painstakingly developed over the past 7 years.
Insights from the world of business and how these lessons can be applied to an artist entrepreneur’s career.
High-level string playing concepts. I’ll share discoveries from my practice and exercises that keep me sharp.
A curation of my favorite content from the week from other creators.
Stories from building my string quartet wholesoul from SCRATCH.
Promo codes for products, services, and shows I’ll be doling out in the future!
Here’s what’s coming up this month:
How I manage my finances as a freelance musician
How I deal with the risk of being a freelance musician
How I make Networking fun (and how you can too!!)
For now, this newsletter will be completely free! I’m not offering any memberships until I better understand your needs and how I can better be of service to you!
So if you have any feedback, good or bad, please end it my way! I’m creating this newsletter to give YOU value, so lemme know what you value!
Thank you for letting me into your inbox and joining me on this new venture!
I hope that you walk away from this newsletter feeling empowered and emboldened to pursue your dreams!
-TVK