In this solo episode, Eric explores gratitude as a critical skill for musicians, educators, and creative entrepreneurs. Practice a guided meditation, hear stories from the studio, and craft your own gratitude statement. This one is especially for the days when your hands hurt, your students aren’t practicing, or a few families just left —and for remembering why you chose this musical life in the first place. 🌊 🌊 Connect with us: Join a supportive community for teachers & cre...

In this episode, Eric talks with guitarist and entrepreneur Anthony Sloan: co-founder and CEO of the Sloan School of Music. What started as a family idea grew into a two-location music school, retail operation, and community hub offering more than 30,000 lessons a year. Anthony shares the full story: building a business with friends, creating a welcoming “coffeehouse” atmosphere, attracting and retaining great teachers, and crafting meaningful performance opportunities for students. They also...

Drummer, educator, author, and industry leader Joe Bergamini shares how he built a resilient, multi-hyphenate career spanning Broadway pits, international touring, best-selling drum books, and more than 35 years of private teaching. We talk about confidence, nerves, community, curriculum, mentorship, the realities of gigging, and Joe’s “three-legged stool” model for a sustainable life in music. This episode is a roadmap for any musician or teacher who wants longevity, purpose, and stead...

Today I’m talking with Josh Gillis, founder of Catfish Alley Studio in Columbus, Mississippi. Josh is one of the kindest, most curious, and most future-leaning educators in the Fons community. He’s building a modern, community-centered music studio that blends interest-based teaching, student experiences, founder-led marketing, and emerging technologies. We explore Josh’s journey from teaching in his sunroom to running a multi-teacher music school downtown, his daily framework of offer, value...

How do you stay joyful and grounded when you’re teaching, performing, and leading at a high level? In this episode, Eric talks with Kevin Chance, President of MTNA and Associate Professor of Piano at the University of Alabama about presence, purpose, and the realities of a life in music. Kevin shares stories from his recent sabbatical in Chile, his upbringing in Alabama, and the mentors who shaped him. He shares wisdom and insights about performance anxiety, burnout, boundaries, and why he id...

Marketing mentor, voice teacher, and choral director Allie Tyler joins Eric Branner to explore how to grow a creative business without losing your joy. From running The Voicepreneur Program to directing a non-audition community choir in the mountains of Colorado, Allie shares hard-won wisdom about seasonality, courage, intuition, and loving yourself through every phase of entrepreneurship. A must-listen for teachers and creatives ready to build success that actually feels good. Learn more abo...

In this solo episode, Eric shares three vivid mentor stories. Pete (artist–entrepreneur), Terry (the open-hearted teacher), and Bryce (the student who became a guide) to unpack what mentorship is, how it shows up, and why becoming both mentee & mentor creates a virtuous cycle in our lives. You’ll hear practical ways to recognize mentors, cultivate intergenerational relationships, and know when it’s your time to step up for someone else. 🌊 Connect with us: Join a supportive community for...

Guitar teacher and Heartwoodguitar.com founder Rob Hampton joins Eric to share how a simple shift in mindset changed his life and career. Rob talks about The Jam, his all-day student concert that’s anything but a recital, and opens up about pricing, burnout, authenticity, and what it means to build a teaching life you love. Whether you’re a music teacher, coach, or creative entrepreneur, this episode will help you re-evaluate what your time is worth...and inspire you to keep building with hea...

How do we make arts education thrive in a world that’s changing faster than ever? Eric interviews Angelica Cortez, Executive Director of the Suzuki Association of the Americas. She shares how curiosity is a leadership tool, the power of music to keep us human, and what it really means to serve teachers, students, and communities with intention. They trace Angelica’s journey from trumpet player to arts leader, discuss her work with YOLA and El Sistema USA, and look ahead at the role of AI, acc...

How do you build a creative career that’s sustainable and joyful? In this episode, pianist, vocalist, composer, and educator Brenda Earle Stokes joins Eric Branner to share practical lessons from her journey of balancing artistry, entrepreneurship, and education. After two decades in New York City, Brenda “downshifted” her life... moving home to Canada, redefining success, and finding renewed inspiration in simplicity and structure. You’ll learn how she built The Versatile Musician, a thrivin...

In this episode, Eric sits down with his longtime friend Dr. David Cutler... composer, author, and Distinguished Professor of Music Entrepreneurship and Innovation at the University of South Carolina. David is one of the world’s leading voices in arts entrepreneurship and the author of The Savvy Musician 2.0, The Savvy Music Teacher, and The GAME of Innovation. Together they explore how musicians and creatives can thrive by creating demand, defining distinct identities, innovating boldly, and...

Pianist, educator, and conservatory director Rachel Ehring joins Eric to unpack the real career paths pianists can take beyond solo work. Rachel runs St. John’s Conservatory of the Arts and coaches pianists in collaborative skills through YouTube, workshops, and her online course Dynamic Accompanying. She shares how to find and land modern gigs, why sight-reading is a superpower, live-launch vs evergreen lessons learned, and the mindset to say yes… then figure it out. We also preview her new ...

Pianist, teacher, and entrepreneur David Chang shares his journey from discovering his teaching gift at 13 to building one of the most successful adult piano programs in the U.S. We dive into his unique methods for learning, his philosophy of “business as art, life as art, self as art,” and how mindset and creativity fuel a joyful, impactful business. Learn more about David's work here Thumbtack: https://www.thumbtack.com/-Brooklyn-NY/service/3736296 Landing Page: https://davidchangmusic.lp...

In this episode, Eric sits down with musician, pedagogue, and music business strategist Kelly Riordan, co-founder of Outside the Bachs. Kelly helps teachers design profitable studios, attract students through organic marketing, and refine their operations to run smoothly. She shares insights on setting and sticking to policies, identifying your ideal student, building community over competition, and using authentic social media to grow your reach. Packed with encouragement and practical...

Seattle-based saxophonist, composer, and teaching artist Steve Treseler joins Eric to explore the building blocks of a joyful and long-lasting career in music. Steve shares how he designed a portfolio life as a performer, educator, and author…while keeping his enthusiasm and curiosity intact. In this conversation, Steve shares his approach to micro-entrepreneurship, why showing up and adding value leads to authentic networking, and how to find the unique skills that set you apart. He also re...

In this episode of The Fourforty, Eric sits down with Davis Dorrough, Piano Editor at Alfred Music. Davis is a third-generation pianist, teacher, and composer. He brings creativity to every corner of his work, whether that’s polishing new piano publications, scouting talent, or teaching students in his own studio. Davis shares his inspiring journey from growing up in a family of pianists to landing his role at Alfred through a serendipitous chain of events. He pulls back the curtain on the pu...

In this solo episode, host Eric Branner shares why The Fourforty Podcast exists and what musicians and teachers can expect each week. Learn why every musician is an entrepreneur, and how embracing business skills alongside artistry allows us to build thriving careers and stronger communities. 🌊 Connect with us: Join a supportive community for teachers & creatives at the Fons Family Facebook Group a supportive community for teachers & creatives Follow on Instagram: @getfons L...

In this short trailer, I’ll share the vision behind The Fourforty... why it exists, who it’s for, and what you can expect each week. The Fourforty is built on the belief that music teachers, artists, and creatives can, and should make great livings. Join me as we explore the business of teaching music with stories and strategies to help you build a creative, sustainable, and impactful life in music. 🌊 🌊 Connect with us: Join a supportive community for teachers & creatives at the Fons Fa...