Finding Your Path in Music: Faculty Tips for Exploring What Comes Next

Music can take you in many directions, and there is no single path in music. Whether you're pursuing music seriously, exploring it as a creative outlet, or simply enjoying the benefits of making music, your path and goals may shift the further you go.

At the Music Institute of Chicago, our faculty work with students of all ages, experience levels, and goals. We asked them to share what they've learned about helping students navigate their path.

For students interested in pursuing music further, exposing yourself to diverse opportunities from teaching, composition, songwriting, and more is a great place to start. For some, that starts with a conversation. For others, it starts with picking up an instrument and experimenting.

"Talking with teachers, musicians, and other professionals and hearing about their journeys can help students imagine possibilities they may not have considered before," said Lucia Muniagurria, MIC voice and early childhoood Smart Start faculty.

For example, "improvisation is a fantastic skill to build, especially for students interested in composing, songwriting, or scoring. A simple way to start is by slightly altering a piece currently being studied, or trying to recreate music by ear without looking at the score. Being able to improvise helps bridge the gap between lesson training and creative imagination, encouraging students to explore far beyond their assigned repertoire." explained Ke Wang, MIC piano faculty.

A musical journey is always evolving. When the next step isn't clear, trying new experiences or even return to the basics for helpful guidance and perspective.

"When students aren’t sure what they want to pursue next, I encourage them to try something new rather than feeling like they need to have an answer right away. Play chamber music, join an orchestra, attend a summer program, go to concerts, or work with different musicians. Often you discover what you want by having more musical experiences, not by trying to decide everything in advance, " suggested Davis King, MIC violin and viola faculty. 

Or, "sometimes the best thing we can do is return to being an audience member. Listening to unfamiliar music, attending performances, discovering new artists, or even exploring another interest outside of music can give us fresh inspiration," shared Lucia Miniagurria. "As musicians, we need to receive as well as create, and giving ourselves that space can help the next musical direction emerge organically."  

"Simply listen to more music," said Ke Wang. "There is a such vast world of sound beyond what we practice or listen to every day. Taking the time to explore new artists, pieces, or genres can completely reignite one's passion for the art. It is completely normal not to have a crystal-clear goal at every stage of a musical journey, even for some of the best professionals. The key is to find the music that genuinely inspires us, and to patiently build a path forward around that." 

Combining a variety of musical experiences gives students room to explore different ways people engage with music. A well-rounded education, one that includes ensembles, chamber music, and more, can help students further find their voice.

"Even before I started teaching, I always believed in the importance of building a supportive, collaborative environment for students across all instruments and levels. Playing in a chamber group or ensemble really helps shift the focus from simply playing an instrument alone to truly making music together. I encourage all students to take advantage of MIC's amazing chamber program—it is a wonderful way to deepen musical understanding and connect with fellow musicians," said Ke Wang.

Lucia added, "I would encourage students to take advantage of the many opportunities MIC offers beyond individual lessons, from ensembles and recitals to workshops and community events. Being part of a broader musical community allows students to learn from one another, experience music in new ways, and discover interests and goals that might never emerge within the lesson room alone." 

Finding your path in music doesn't always happens all at once. It can come through trying new things, staying curious, and connecting with others along the way.