Work with me
Strategy
ONE AND DONE OR ALONG FOR THE RIDE
Sometimes you just need a chat with somebody who isn’t stuck in the weeds. I’m here for a one and done gig, and know that just one discussion can be transformative. Or I’ll hitch my carriage along for the ride bringing my obsession with all things business theory along for the ride. Full disclosure, we’re likely to try some, all or none of my skills in Design Thinking, Systems Thinking, CX, UX, UI and Human Centred Design.
Let’s have a chat about where you are and where you’d like to be.
In less than an hour I helped my Global Leaders Program (GLP) team to get from this hot mess…
There is a lack of centralized communication between researchers, organizations, practitioners, and performers that address health issues through music therapy. This inhibits the public’s access to diverse health resources long term. Our mission is to improve communication and understanding between these populations so that more job opportunities become available and funding and research becomes more centralized. During our first-year pilot project, our organization will partner with the Music Therapy Program at Duquesne University in Pittsburgh, PA to provide early career development services and secure job opportunities post-graduation.
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To THIS crystal clear mission statement…
“To achieve more diverse job opportunities, music therapists need stronger advocacy to convince the health sector of the necessity of their work.”
In the course of an hour, Susan helped to shift my thinking on key problematics involving the Grainger Museum and its eponymous founder, particularly helping me to understand challenges as opportunities… In my note-taking I had drawn a picture of two hands, cupped around dichotomous ideas: over the left hand I had written “sadomasochism, racialism”, and over the right hand, “experimentation, breaking boundaries, radicalism”. Through well-chosen metaphors, Susan guided me to conceptualise a resolution to the biggest challenges. From practical advice on immediate actions, to long-term radical thinking, Susan guided my strategic thought process across a range of ideas with a light, sure, warm, and encouraging hand, all the while giving generously of her deep professional expertise.
Dr Heather Gaunt, Curator, Grainger Museum
Program Design
THE BUSINESS OF THE BUSINESS
Music needs virtuosi on and beyond the stage. I am obsessed with dreaming, designing, delivering and evaluating programs that develop talent.
I catapult forward the thinking and skills of all kinds of folks in the music sector from artists and arts managers to pre-college, tertiary students, early stage administrators, freelance and professional performers and experienced arts leaders. I’ve delivered culture shifting programs for the Australian National Academy of Music, IgniteLAB for the Melbourne Conservatorium of Music and here are a few other things I’ve hatched from scratch…
Artist Assembly for Melbourne Recital Centre
“Susan has provided invaluable advice on our program design and delivered much of the content. Our young artists have greatly benefitted from working with her, she has also been an eloquent and passionate advocate for the program when working with our staff and meeting with our program donors. Susan’s expertise as a musician, entrepreneur, educator and innovator ensures that the program aligns with our organisational priorities and supports our artists to thrive on and beyond the stage.”
Marshall McGuire, Director of Programming, Melbourne Recital Centre
Navigate Well for Arts Centre Melbourne
“Susan is one of our incredible consultants who has done the most stellar job with Navigate Well (working with an unbelievably complex brief, she’s absolutely nailed it). I can also speak to her talents as a facilitator, strategist, writer, researcher and generally brilliant human.”
Tracy Margieson, Head of Program, Arts Wellbeing Collective
Workshops
ON ZOOM OR IN THE ROOM
I LOVE designing and delivering high impact learning. And I’m world class at it.
“I have to say, you set a strong precedent for the rest of our events! My colleagues only want to talk about sessions where participants come away with something to show for it (I quite agree!).”
Kate Blackstone, Project Manager, Young Classical Artists Trust (UK)
No more Zoom ‘n GLOOM
No more Zoom boxes of bored faces who have a bunch of different tabs open, shopping for shoes or checking the weather because they don’t feel like they matter. No more in-person struggling to stay awake bore-athons.
We don’t do that.
I have a bunch of Out Of The Box ready to go sessions on Business Essentials, Career Planning, Marketing, Project Planning and Design Thinking. But I always tweak and fiddle to make sure it’s pitched just right for your folks. Let’s talk about where you are and where you need to be, I’ll build the bridge to get your people there.
My teaching is FUN!
But I’m really a teacher ninja, you might think you’re just having fun but you’re really getting a new set of skills and new tools to change the world! Best of all, my learning is sticky so you’ve absolutely got those new skills with you when your feet are back under the desk. There’s no point spending time on a workshop that you can’t remember ANYTHING about when you get back to work #amiright
My favourite workshop is LISTEN.TUNE.PLAY.PERFORM.
It’s a three Design Thinking sprint that builds empathy, emotional regulation, creative thinking, teamwork and problem solving. Everybody who experiences this workshop LOVES it.
“It was a great reminder to think deeper about the reason we create art and the ways that we share it, and especially that its value is determined by how it serves the needs of others.”
Emma Plehal, Communications Manager, Minnesota Orchestra
“The value in understanding what communities need rather than providing what we want to give.”
Sylvia Hosking, Schools Program Manager, Learning, Engagement & Innovation, Melbourne Symphony Orchestra
“The most valuable thing I experienced was listening with an open mind.”
Erin Tan, Artistic Planning, Singapore Symphony Orchestra
Speaker
I CAN TALK AND I CAN KEEP QUIET AND ASK REALLY AWESOME QUESTIONS
I’ve been trusted by these awesome organisations to lead their people to Think Again about their work. I’ve also been trusted to keep quiet, other than asking a nuanced question to elicit great conversations.
✦ Support Act
✦ Arts Centre Wellbeing Collective
✦ Melbourne Recital Centre
✦ Young Classical Artists Trust (UK)
✦ Royal Northern College of Music (UK)
✦ League of American Orchestras (USA)
✦ College Music Society 21st Century Music School Design Symposium (USA)
✦ NIDA National Institute of Dramatic Art
✦ The Association of Directors of Music in Independent Schools
✦ Compton School
✦ Victorian Instrumental Music Teachers Association
✦ Australian Youth Orchestra
✦ SA Youth Arts
✦ Screen Well
✦ Melbourne Youth Orchestras
“Susan is a warm, intelligent and engaging moderator, and seamlessly manages conversation between speakers so that you never notice that she is directing the flow. She weaves the audience into the experience, so that the discussion really does offer something for everyone. She also manages to keep to time! And she’s funny!”
Dove Rengger-Thorpe, Senior Enrichment Officer, University of Melbourne
“Susan’s research into 21st century music careers is eye-opening. The inherent skills that are taken for granted by musicians are actually sought-after qualities in other sectors and Susan was able to highlight the valuable contribution that music graduates can make. She presented a range of innovative models for undertaking tertiary music study that prepare graduates for career success. Her thorough knowledge of career pathways and excellent presentation gave parents some peace of mind as to their children’s futures. A worthwhile eye-opener for anyone considering music studies. ”
Michelle Forbes, Manager of Artistic Planning and Education, Melbourne Youth Music
Coach
WANT TO AMPLIFY YOUR CREATIVE LIFE?
Having coached over 1,000 musicians, I understand how you tick and the specific career challenges that face musicians. I see opportunity and possibility in a way that few others can, and am passionate about supporting you to build a creative life of financial and artistic stability.
From high school and tertiary students, young professionals, music educators to professional orchestral and opera performers, I support you to identify and clarify your goals, articulate your individual success criteria and compose a life of means and meaning.
“If you want to take a fresh look at your approach... and start thinking about the bigger picture in a strategic way, then Susan is the person to see.I can’t recommend her highly enough.”
Thea Rossen
“I was struggling to find a way to present myself in such a way that is interesting and compelling to others, rather than just a recitation of life events. That was making me feel frustrated, because it seemed to have nothing to do with me as a musician. After working with Susan, I have a well-crafted personal statement that I can use as part of applications to post-graduate courses overseas that I feel presents an interesting, yet honest picture of myself. Susan is not going to try to redefine you or change anything about you. She’s just going to help you present the best version of yourself.”
Stephen Hardie
“As a musician fresh out of my university course... my session with Susan has gone a long way into kick starting my career at a professional level. I feel there are many questions and insecurities that young musicians all share, which are left unanswered by the end of a degree... Susan was able to comprehensively explain how to invest in my professional development outside of the practice room, narrow down my personal success criteria, and reassure me that working as a freelance muso doesn’t mean having to struggle financially. I strongly believe a session with Susan should be a part of what every emerging musician needs to launch forward in a positive direction.”
How it works
Want A Change Of KEY? ⌵
If choice or circumstance means you are ready to make a change, I understand how to translate and highlight your training to change key within the music sector or into other industries. I am particularly skilled in supporting musicians to transition from careers onstage or backstage to success beyond music.
“Susan provided me with the insight and confidence to recognise that the skill set I have is valuable and transferable. This has allowed me to realise my potential and transition into my chosen field.”
Leesa Dean, Former Principal Bassoon, Queensland Symphony Orchestra now Director of Bands and Head of Woodwind, Westbourne Grammar
Need To Decide The TEMPO? ⌵
Whether you are launching or growing your ensemble, I can guide you to develop effective strategies and plans. I have coached dozens of groups on their business models, operational planning, seeing and seizing new opportunities, defining and growing their audience, creative programming, building their brand and how to have effective group meetings.
“Susan gave us invaluable insight and advice on how we could navigate our brand in the industry. Her ideas and perceptions are not only fresh and innovative, but relevant to people of today’s society. We had the most inspiring and motivating session with Susan and came away feeling confident in our own endeavours.”
Invictus Quartet
What’s Included? ⌵
BEFORE our first session, you will complete a personalised analysis to identify what’s currently working and what’s not, plus the bigger picture with your goals and vision.
DURING our sessions we will dive into your progress, explore your challenges, and create new intentional action steps so you’re moving towards the life and career you want to build. Sessions are scheduled regularly over Zoom, paced at intervals that allow change and action but not so far apart that you lose momentum.
AFTER our session you will find everything you need in your own personal portal (call recordings, notes, resources and any other material to review).
BETWEEN our sessions you will complete an analysis to determine what you want to get out of the next session, identify the actions you’ve taken since our last session and acknowledge any speed humps or pot holes in your way.
“If you want to take a fresh look at your approach... and start thinking about the bigger picture in a strategic way, then Susan is the person to see.I can’t recommend her highly enough.” Thea Rossen
This Journey Is Right For You If You ⌵
✦ Feel blocked, stuck, or overwhelmed in your career and want to move forward but are held back by perfectionism, imposter syndrome, fear of failure, or paralysis by analysis.
✦ Are always second guessing yourself and your thoughts, yet you know you want to feel aligned, passionate, and motivated about what you do again.
✦ Are transitioning or pivoting in your career and feel lost, confused, alone, or unsure of what to do next.
✦ Know there’s something holding you back from stepping up, or moving your career forward, and you’re seeking support and guidance each step of the way.
This Journey Is Not Right For You If You ⌵
✦ Want a coach to tell you what to do and when.
✦ Are not willing to dedicate the time it takes to grow and transform.
✦ Are resistant to change, new ideas, and challenges.
✦ Don’t believe in doing the work (action steps) along the way.
✦ Are not excited to embark on this journey together.
Fees ⌵
✦ If you have a specific, one-off, detailed request and need a 1 x 60 minute session to get it sorted then my fee is $150. This is perfect if you want feedback on job or grant applications, or to prep for an interview.
✦ If you want to take control of your career and need a steady hand to get you started then I work on an initial 3 x 60 minute session model. My fee is $150/session and after our initial three sessions we figure out what will best support you going forward. This is perfect to help you clarify your goals and make a plan.
YOUR INVESTMENT
If you are considering coaching, book a free 20 minute ‘get-to-know-you’ call to make sure we’re the right fit for each other. This is really important for both of us. I want to be sure you’re sure and ready to work together.
NOW YOU’RE SURE WE’RE A GREAT FIT
Emergency Assistance
✦ You have a specific, one-off, detailed request and need a 1 x 60 minute session to get it sorted. Fee $150.
Comprehensive Cover
✦ You want to take control of your career and need a steady hand to get you started. You need 3 x 60 minute sessions. Fee $450 (Payment Plan Available).
After our initial three sessions, we can agree on the duration and frequency of sessions, depending on what you feel will best support you in making progress in the areas of focus.