The Spring/Summer Slowdown

For many of us, summer is a time to learn new repertoire, attend festivals, and take a much-needed break from university or the daily grind.

But for some, summer brings financial strain. Fewer students take lessons, many concert series are off-season, and travel—whether to see family or take short road trips—can make it difficult to maintain a consistent work schedule.

A few thoughts to help navigate this:

1. Plan for your "near future" self.
One valuable concept I learned from Ramit Sethi’s podcast is this: You are not special if you have variable income.
What that means: Calculate the amount you can reliably earn in a year, divide it by 12, and treat that as your “monthly paycheck.” This way, even when income fluctuates, you’ve built a buffer for the slower months. You’ll always be able to cover your expenses and avoid unnecessary stress. High-earning months become savings opportunities for the leaner ones.

2. Release the shame around taking non-music work.
It’s okay if your summer job isn’t directly related to music. Doing what you need to do to stay financially secure is a smart and valid choice.

3. Stay visible — network.
Summer is unpredictable. Performances and gigs often fall through. Keep networking, follow up on leads, and stay present so you're top-of-mind when last-minute opportunities pop up.

4. Tap into local events.
Weddings, festivals, art fairs — your city likely has plenty of outdoor events coming up. These often need live talent. Check your city event page or reach out directly to event coordinators to see if you can get a slot.