4-min read – by Boran Zaza
This is Part I of a four-part series named “Entrepreneurship in Classical Music.”
Do not follow your dreams.
“Wait what… Did she really just say that?”
Yes, I did. At the end of my four-part blog series on Entrepreneurship in Classical Music, you will find out exactly why I said that and it will all make sense, I promise.
Today, we will talk about you. More precisely, about the power of your personal story.
I believe that we all have two different versions of our personal stories: one is a story defined by limitations, and the other is one defined by opportunities. It is up to YOU to decide which version defines you and deserves to be shared with the world.
My story of limitations
“My name is Boran Zaza. I was born in Syria and was raised in Libya, Iraq, and Lebanon. I had no access to quality music education, and my family had limited means, which led me to never be a “good enough” musician.
My first failure was at an audition to study piano performance at a prestigious music school in Turkey. One of the jury members, who was a renowned conductor, told me during the audition: “Your repertoire is very limited, and your technique is nowhere where it should be for a prospective university student. You should stop playing piano. You’ll never be able to make something out of yourself”.
I believed him, and as a result, I went on to study Musicology at university. I was not on my way to becoming a pianist; I had failed.
My personal life was not any better – I had relationships with physically and emotionally aggressive partners.
Then, one year into my Masters in Musicology, I decided to revisit my dream of becoming a pianist. I applied to many universities around the world for graduate degrees in Piano Performance in Europe, the USA, and Canada. Again, I got many rejection letters, more than I would care to count. Once more, I had failed and had to settle for another undergraduate degree – this time, a Bachelor of Music in Canada.
It was there that I discovered my love for Choral Conducting. I proceeded to study and practice hard, believing that I would be successful as a choral conductor. I spent every last drop of energy and passion on fulfilling that dream! Finally, I applied for a graduate degree in Choral Conducting. Guess what happened? I didn’t get accepted—another failure.
I have failed many times in my life. I have applied to many jobs for which I got rejected. I do have a stable job now, but I only make about 20% of what my sister makes (and weigh 20 pounds more than she does). I don’t speak French well enough yet. I like to make videos, but I do so on an iPhone. People that are younger than me have gone way further than I did in life.
I am a failure.”
I think we can all relate to that person above. We are all familiar with that voice in our heads that tells us we’re not good enough. The voice that focuses only on the negative experiences in our lives and that keeps comparing us to others. To make matters worse, when we let that voice dictate our lives, we usually surround ourselves with people that also don’t bring out the best in us.
A couple of years ago, I was at a low point in my life. However, it is usually at such a point in our lives that we are encouraged to change, to open up, and to flourish. With the help of positive, encouraging people that I was lucky to be surrounded with, I looked back at my life and was finally able to see a whole new story! It was still my story, just from a different angle.
Reframing my personal story
“Hello! I’m Boran Zaza. I’m the Marketing Manager for one of Quebec’s most renowned Orchestras. My life in the Middle East taught me a lot of things. It made me a strong, resilient person who has a perspective and deepness. My parents are wonderful, educated people who gave everything they could to help me move forward in life.
I completed two degrees in Music and was privileged enough to do one of them in one of the most prestigious music schools in North America. I have many passions: piano playing, choral conducting, and videography, among other things. All those passions and skills contribute to making me a capable Arts Administrator.
I scored a full-time job right after university. And even though I immigrated to Canada less than four years ago and my mother tongues were Arabic and Kurdish, I already speak French, and I’m also fluent in English.
If I would’ve settled for what life offered me, I would have probably been still in Syria, married to a cousin, and be staying at home with no job.
My passion for Music took me all the way across the globe, my open-mind and eagerness to learn and create helped me make my way through life! I pay my bills, and I am healthy and comfortable in my own skin.
I am a successful person.”
Now, how does all of this relate to entrepreneurship in Classical Music?
Well, it is quite relatable! If you don’t believe in yourself, if you don’t think you are capable of being successful, and if you don’t surround yourself with the right people, then there is no way your project is going to evolve.
No. Way.
So before you dive into any project, take a moment to revisit your “story” and how you view yourself both as a human and as a professional.
Next week, I will be telling you about how to start a new project in the realm of the Classical Music industry.