🎊 2023 Unwrapped: Lessons Learned for an Exciting 2024!

As we say hello to 2024, I find myself reflecting on the incredible journey that was 2023! It was a year of embracing independence, learning valuable lessons, and making significant strides in a shared world of music and creativity. I hope I can take a moment to share my journey so we can set our sights on the exciting prospects of 2024!

⏮️ A Year of Embracing Independence (2023 Recap!)

2023 was such a pivotal year for me. It marked a full embrace of my career as a musician, content creator, and music educator! One of the highlights was collaborating with the Cinesamples team on creating content for their Musio plugin. This was such an honor because I've been using Cinesamples libraries in my own music for years! Just an incredible experience getting to connect with the team and enjoy Musio's growth in real time.

Another milestone was working alongside award-winning composer, Zach Heyde! If you've ever searched for composer tips on YouTube, you've likely discovered his content. He's always been such an inspiration for me as a composer and content creator! So over the past few years, I've been lucky to work with him on his YouTube content. But in 2023, we collaborated on the creation of his new Composing Career Bootcamp! Through my work with Zach, he's actually led me to some other fantastic composers and creatives in the industry!

(Check out this conversation we had back in November about how composers can find paid work opportunities!)

And in a full-circle moment, I've had the privilege of tutoring at ThinkSpace Education, my alma mater where I honed my skills in orchestration for film, TV, and games! This whole experience has only strengthened my passion for music education, sharing knowledge and values with students, while also continuing my own learning!

🧑‍🏫 Lessons Learned: The Power of 'No' and the Preciousness of Life

Looking back, I'd say there are two major lessons that shaped my 2023. First up, the power of saying 'no.' It's so easy to get caught up in the whirlwind of opportunities, but learning to choose projects that truly resonate with us makes our work much more meaningful.

Second, and more personal, was the lesson on the preciousness of life. Last year, I lost both my father and grandfather within two months. This loss not only brought home the reality of how short life really is but also the importance of living fully, embracing each day, and doing what we love most! For me and I'm sure for you as well, that's music!

🔮 What's Next? The Excitement for 2024

Now that we've officially entered 2024- it really feels like this year is brimming with possibilities! For now, I'm excited to continue my work with ThinkSpace Education's Orchestral Bootcamp. I can't wait to collaborate with Zach Heyde some more, especially on his YouTube channel and Composing Career Bootcamp. Plus, there’s a pretty big project in the pipeline for mid-2024 that I'm itching to reveal when the time is right!

Now, over to you! How was your 2023?! What milestones did you achieve, and what lessons did you learn? Looking forward, what excites you most about 2024? I want to encourage you to jot these down and approach this new year with a sense of purpose and passion!

As we say goodbye to 2023 and welcome 2024, let’s carry forward the lessons learned and the enthusiasm for our craft. Thank you for being part of this incredible journey. Your support and our shared passion for music has made this experience completely worthwhile!