Career Beat

by Derek Mithaug

It’s with mixed feelings that I announce my departure from Juilliard. I’m sad to be leaving, of course—but proud to have been part of an institution that has an auspicious legacy in its wake, and an exciting future ahead of its bow. With the new building taking shape and the many new programs expected to roll out with the grand unveiling, I feel the time has come to tend to my own career needs.

That said, career development at Juilliard (and in the performing arts in general) is something still in its infancy. We have finally moved beyond the ideology that artists should focus exclusively on their craft and, if their talent is truly special, somewhere, somehow, some influential patron will discover it and take care of all the other necessities in the artist’s life. This might have been the case in long-ago centuries when patronage for individual artists was far more ubiquitous. Today, however, artists must be more in tune with the business aspects of their careers. They are entrepreneurs exploring a variety of fields and pursuing sundry interests. Their careers have become so diverse that even artist managements and agencies have had to outsource some of their services to meet the unique demands of their clients’ livelihoods. It’s quite exciting when you think about it—but also a bit overwhelming. There are always a few artists who just wish they could retreat into the practice studio and hope that someone will knock on the door.

I’m thrilled that Juilliard is now tending to the concept of the 21st-century artist. I’ve been beating the drum of self-determination and calling for artists to be the captains of their own careers for many years. The future is bright if you are willing to consider the continually evolving possibilities. This is what an artist must do today: think quickly, progressively, multidimensionally—and most definitely, positively. Today’s idea could be tomorrow’s career-maker. The industry rewards the creative mind.

One of the most inspiring books along these lines is A Whole New Mind by Daniel Pink, who puts forth an evocative and compelling argument for rethinking what our economy values and what the future holds for the creative mind. I can’t think of a more important work to recommend for this last column. If you do read it, and want to discuss Pink’s assessment, send me an e-mail. I’d love to chat with you about it.

It was not an easy decision for me to leave this great institution. The question I faced was a matter of whether I should spend my critical middle years dedicated to a very specialized field I had been pursuing since graduation, or venture into different waters, broadening my experience and challenging my abilities. Five years ago, I wouldn’t have dreamed of making this change. My job, the faculty, the students, and other professional colleagues served as my daily inspiration, helping to shape much of my thinking about people and their interests and careers. Eventually, they challenged me to think differently about my own career.

The future for performing artists is bright if you are willing to consider the continually evolving possibilities.

Fast forward a few years, and I’ve evolved into someone new. There is still “me” in here, but there are also a lot of new ideas, unrealized abilities, and untended interests. The last of my children is finishing high school, and the world suddenly looks different. I feel a need to step out of my comfort zone. I feel a need to put some of my ideas to work. Looking for the sort of environment that will nurture my next phase in life, I’m thankful that I found the courage to take this step at this critical juncture, and not fall back on the safety zone.

So, where am I now? If you haven’t stopped by the Career Development Office recently, you might not know that I’ve been gone since the end of February. My new digs are just across the Hudson River at the Judith G. Wharton Music Center in Berkeley Heights, N.J. It’s a large, independent music center with more than 1,000 students and some 40-plus faculty members. I’ve assumed the role of executive director at a time when the center and its constituents are beginning a capital campaign, a major move to their own facilities, and a significant increase in programs—all of this with the mission of providing quality music programming and education to communities in need. Who could ask for anything more?

I will always have a special place in my heart for Juilliard, and for that little office on the second floor called Career Development. I have a hard time believing I was there for 14 years; in hindsight, it seems like nanoseconds. But the memories more than account for the time. I still feel a jolt of pride whenever I intersect with a Juilliard graduate somewhere in the world who has found his or her stride and is blazing a career trail where none existed before. That, to me, is a potent elixir. I envy whoever will assume the role of director of career development. I don’t think anyone can imagine how good that job can feel most every day.

If you are ever in my neighborhood and would like to do some teaching, discuss some collaboration, or even develop some new programs, I’m interested. E-mail me your ideas (dmithaug@scmcmusic.org). I’m looking for new ideas to put into play at a center that aims to be new, progressive, and exciting. And even if your plate is already full, send a line or a note to say “hi” every now and then. I’ll never tire of talking about your future or what it means to you.

Derek Mithaug, former director of career development and a former faculty member, is a Juilliard alumnus.

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