Episode 16: Choosing the Next Chapter - A Fulfilling Life in Music (Natalie's Story)

Episode 22: Defining The Path In Music After Overcoming Obstacles (Brigette's Story)

Brigette is an accomplished saxophonist who was faced with medical issues that required multiple surgeries, hindering her ability to consistently play. After overcoming both medical and mental struggles, she has found her way back into the music profession. Her story is one of inspiration, grit, and true strength. You won't want to miss this great conversation! Google Form: https://forms.gle/WfbLYjLkgh5Wb55N9 [https://forms.gle/WfbLYjLkgh5Wb55N9] Brigette's Bio: Brigette Jenkins is a professional classical and jazz saxophonist currently located in Dallas, TX. She was raised in several states in the southeast and by age 14 she was performing in the Savannah, GA area at local events, festivals, and restaurants. After high school, she attended Georgia Southern University where she studied saxophone with Dr. Carolyn Bryan. In 2019, Brigette graduated with a Bachelor’s in Music Performance and minor in Business Management and Marketing. She taught private saxophone lessons, masterclasses, and at band camps in southeastern Georgia until 2021. After graduating, she gradually stepped back from teaching and playing for both personal and medical reasons. In 2019, her mom was diagnosed with a terminal brain cancer called Gliosarcoma and from 2022-2024 she had to undergo gum recession surgeries which required her to not play for 9 weeks at a time. For the past 3.5 years, she worked as an evidence and legal assistant at a personal injury law firm. By the end of 2025, she decided to leave the legal field and return to the music industry. She currently plans on attending the University of Texas at Arlington for a Master’s in Music Performance as well as further developing her skills in music production, composition, and arranging.

Episode 21: Paving The Way For Young Musicians (Amanda's Story)

Amanda has experienced it all: being in a youth orchestra, going through music school, leaving the field completely and pursuing a fulfilling career in social work, and coming back full circle to start her own youth orchestra (The Greater Rockwall Youth Symphony). Hear how Amanda has navigated all of this through life, and how she brings the love of music and resources to students who might not otherwise have them. Donation link for Greater Rockwall Youth Symphony: https://greaterrockwallyouthsymphony.org/donate [https://greaterrockwallyouthsymphony.org/donate] Google form: https://forms.gle/G4jorZfNRze3QGAaA [https://forms.gle/G4jorZfNRze3QGAaA] Amanda's Bio: Amanda Casper is the Founder and Executive Director of the Greater Rockwall Youth Symphony, a nonprofit organization dedicated to enriching, educating, and serving communities through classical music while inspiring the next generation of musicians and arts advocates. Since founding GRYS in 2022, Amanda has helped expand access to high-quality music education for students across seven North Texas counties, with a strong focus on accessibility, scholarships, and opportunities for at-risk youth and families facing financial barriers.A trained French horn performer, Amanda received her musical training through programs at The Juilliard School and Manhattan School of Music before earning degrees from Cleveland Institute of Music, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland State University, and Southern Methodist University. Her background uniquely blends music performance, psychology, and social work, shaping her human-centered approach to arts leadership.Under Amanda’s leadership, GRYS has become known not only for musical excellence, but for “serving through music” through performances for seniors, veterans, nonprofits, and community events. She is passionate about creating spaces where students gain confidence, belonging, leadership skills, and meaningful connections through the arts.

Episode 20: How Finding A Place In Another Field Created Space For Music (Lydia's Story)

Listen along in this episode to Lydia's story. As someone who loved music and found a happiness in it, her music career began to cause a decline in her mental health. Lydia has now found a way into another field, Environmental Planning, where she can work to help the world be another place. But don't worry, she has found plenty of ways to involve music in her life in a much calmer way! Google Form: https://forms.gle/uEsqqVQ4yzFoVEa18 [https://forms.gle/uEsqqVQ4yzFoVEa18] Lydia's Bio: Lydia has a Master's degree in Trombone Performance from the University of Missouri Kansas City, and Bachelor's degrees in Trombone Performance and Environmental Policy and Planning from the University of Iowa. Currently she is finishing up her Master's degree in Sustainable Development at the University of Iowa, with the aims of working in the environmental planning field after graduation.

Episode 19: Self Improvement Through Career Change (James' Story)

In this episode, James takes us through his experiences of being in music school, transitioning to law school, and all of the factors that influenced that decision. We discuss how these issues in the music world can be improved, and we also discuss how the skills we gain as musicians can directly translate to law school. Google Form to be on the show: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfPrU0pPHOcYAW2-juTDLi5f9C9-xq04E58INvM8cNz-zgMOg/viewform?usp=sharing&ouid=103514879413514765577 [https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfPrU0pPHOcYAW2-juTDLi5f9C9-xq04E58INvM8cNz-zgMOg/viewform?usp=sharing&ouid=103514879413514765577] James' Bio: James Bargar is a Juris Doctor candidate at the UA Little Rock Bowen School of Law.Prior to beginning his legal studies, he earned a Bachelor of Arts in Music from the University ofCentral Arkansas in 2023, where he spent most of his time studying music education. Aftergraduation, James transitioned from music to law, gaining valuable experience as a paralegal anddeveloping a strong foundation in the legal field.When he is not working or studying, James enjoys spending time with his wife, Alex, andcontinuing his passion for music. An avid guitarist, he still practices daily and remains active inthe local music scene, occasionally performing at shows around Arkansas on guitar, drums,trombone, and even vocals.

Episode 18: Opening Doors and Redefining Success (Serayah's Story)

Take a listen to Serayah's story where she details how she used her music education degree in an untraditional way. She details her story of keeping doors open and getting a variety of opportunities that have built her career to what it is today. Google Form to be on the show: https://forms.gle/zjs85wmMuRgpLk276 [https://forms.gle/zjs85wmMuRgpLk276] Serayah's Bio: Serayah Peters is a crossover artist, voice teacher, and arts leader based in Abilene, Texas. A summa cum laude graduate of Hardin-Simmons University in choral music education, she has built a dynamic career spanning performance, nonprofit leadership, and teaching. She previously served as Director of Sales and Marketing for the Abilene Philharmonic and now serves as Director of Annual Giving at McMurry University. Serayah is also a music director with Chorus Abilene, where she founded two ensembles. Most recently, she was selected to present at the Texas Music Educators Association Convention, one of the largest music education conferences in the country. She continues to pursue a well-rounded career in the arts while encouraging others to explore paths that align with their own passions and purpose.   Serayah's Social Media:Website -  serayahpeterssoprano.com [http://serayahpeterssoprano.com/] Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/serayahpeters_soprano [https://www.instagram.com/serayahpeters_soprano] Facebook -  https://www.facebook.com/serayahp.music [https://www.facebook.com/serayahp.music] Youtube - https://www.youtube.com/@serayahpeters_soprano [https://www.youtube.com/@serayahpeters_soprano] Email -  serayahp.music@gmail.com [serayahp.music@gmail.com]