by Eftihia Arkoudis, D.M.A., Thaddaeus Bourne, D.M.A., & José Valentino Ruiz, Ph.D. Success is a tricky beast. You work hard, climb the ladder—whether it’s made of corporate rungs or the wild vines of entrepreneurship—and suddenly, you’re the tallest poppy in the field. Cue the shears. This little phenomenon, [...]
by José Valentino Ruiz, Ph.D. Abstract This editorial argues that blending robust musicianship with business savvy in music education creates confident, adaptable pros who thrive in today’s creative arts economy, all while keeping it real. Keywords: musicianship, music business education, experiential learning, self-efficacy, digital tools Providing the Context [...]
By José Valentino Ruiz, Ph.D. Abstract This editorial celebrates the surge of creative entrepreneurs launching ventures in music, design, and innovation, while offering a practical toolkit to address their widespread lack of financial literacy—focusing on budgeting, investing, and decision-making—to ensure sustainable success. Keywords: financial literacy, creative entrepreneurs, budgeting, [...]
by José Valentino Ruiz, Ph.D. & Derris Lee, M.M. Three Keys to Impact In a recent conversation with a colleague, we stumbled onto a truth that’s been hiding in plain sight: access to resources—be it scholarships, community programs, or organizational support—isn’t the bottleneck we often assume it to [...]
By Hannah Chuckas, José Valentino Ruiz, Ph.D., Corey Burton, M.M. Abstract This article explores the evolving financial landscape of the music industry, analyzing how artists generate revenue through live performances, digital streaming, and merchandise sales while highlighting strategies for maximizing profitability and sustaining long-term careers. Keywords: music industry, [...]
by Emilie Park, José Valentino Ruiz, & Corey Burton Abstract This article explores how budgeting constraints influence the success and profitability of music events, examining key challenges, strategies for maximizing revenue, the role of sponsorships, and emerging trends in event planning, while offering practical advice for aspiring music [...]
by José Valentino Ruiz, Ph.D.; Theresse Racpan; Aishani Lahiri; and Eftihia Arkoudis, D.M.A. Abstract This editorial explores the intersection of artificial intelligence and music, examining its impact on authenticity, audience engagement, artistic integrity, copyright law, labeling standards, music careers, genre evolution, and cultural identity, while emphasizing the need [...]
By José Valentino Ruiz, Ph.D. & Thaddaeus Bourne, D.M.A. Abstract This editorial discusses how arts entrepreneurship serves as a powerful mechanism for community development, bridging economic, educational, and cultural gaps through strategic partnerships and creative initiatives. By fostering accessibility, mentorship, and sustainable models, arts entrepreneurs empower underserved communities, [...]
Making Music Education Inclusive—Without Falling into the Tokenism Trap! Let’s talk about why it’s so important to move beyond tokenism in music education—and how you can actually make that shift. It’s a common story in music classrooms: each year, educators launch special projects tied to cultural heritage months, [...]
Using Lyrics as a Springboard for Songwriting with Students Recently, I've been spending time with my five-year-old niece, who is just learning how to read, and I was struck by a comment she made the other night when she was reading one of her books to me: [...]