Consultation & Mentorship
I offer one-on-one consultation and mentorship for queer and trans musicians, teaching artists, voice teachers, choir directors, song leaders, and others who work at the intersection of music and social justice.
Maybe you have very specific questions about working with a particular student or community. Or maybe you want help learning how to run a crowdfunding campaign, teach your first group class, run a trans choir, start a band, or setup a sustainable sliding scale policy. I am here for you!
I'm a firm believer in the power of community-based artists and teachers. Though I have some formal music education, I don't have any degrees in music or teaching. I've learned so much by seeking out teachers and learning opportunities that are largely outside of the academy.
Of course, the best way to learn how to make and teach music is to go ahead and do it! I'm here to be a helping hand on your journey, someone to bounce ideas off of and help you reflect on what you're learning as you go. I can also tell you about my many mistakes along the way so you don't have to repeat them.
Consultation usually looks like a one-time meeting. This is a chance for you to ask questions, dream up possibilities, get support learning best practices, and/or break down the steps of a new project so you can move forward with clarity and grounding. Sometimes one conversation can really make a big difference!
Mentorship looks like meeting in an ongoing way, often once a month for a period of time, though it can be more or less often depending on your needs. I have mentored folks who are getting started as private voice teachers, launching queer choirs, shifting to becoming self-employed, and musicians who are putting together a recording project and booking their first tour. Each person's needs are unique. Whatever your situation, I am here to support you as you prepare to make your next big move.
Please Note: At this time I am only offering consultation and mentorship to folks who identify as part of the LGBTQIA+ community. If you are a music educator looking for resources to help support your work with nonbinary and transgender people and you are not a part of the LGBTQIA+ community yourself, I recommend reaching out to my good friend Peter Fullerton for a consultation, and/or seeking out the professional development resources offered by The Voice Lab and Renée Yoxon.
Details
Location
Online sessions take place on Zoom. In-person sessions take place in Sacramento, California, in the Tahoe Park area.
Time
Consultations and mentorship sessions can be 30 or 60 minutes.
Rates (Sliding Scale)
At Cost: $120 / hour, $60 / half hour
This is the true cost of my time. Consider paying this amount if doing so would be an investment, but not create hardship for your household. You might choose this rate if you are able to regularly meet your basic needs and have some expendable income, can travel every 2 - 3 years without burden, and have some debt but are able to pay it regularly.
A Little More: $140 / hour, $70 / half hour
This rate helps sustain me in working with folks who need a lower rate. Consider paying this amount if you are comfortably able to meet your basic needs, own the home you live in or rent a higher end property, have paid or pay for private education, travel recreationally, have access to financial savings and/or investments, have reliable work or do not have to work to meet your needs, have inherited wealth, and/or have increased earning privilege due to your race, gender, or education.
A Little Less: $100 / hour, $50 / half hour
This is a discounted rate. Consider paying this amount if you have limited expendable income, have little or no access to financial support from family, have significant debt, and little or no access to savings.
I am grateful to Alexis J. Cunningfolk of Worts and Cunning Apothecary and Hadassah Damien of Ride Free Fearless Money for inspiring my approach to sliding scale.