Coro by iCadenza

Abstract

Reviewed by: Coro by iCadenza Mallory Sajewski Coro by iCadenza. [Los Angeles, CA]: iCadenza, 2017–. https://coro.icadenza.com/ (Accessed 3 April 2018). [Requires a Web browser and an Internet connection. Institutional subscription pricing varies; individual subscriptions are $34 per month or $340 per year.] Introduction Coro by iCadenza is an online educational platform consisting of career development and entrepreneurship resources that are tailored specifically to musicians. It helps users move their careers forward, break through challenges, begin new projects, develop materials for job applications, and make big career decisions. Its primary aim is to help musicians in their pursuit of careers that are both fulfilling and financially sound, ultimately increasing retention in the music field. Coro, which is Italian for "choir," strives to bring people together and has built a strong community in which musicians learn from, engage with, and support one another. Coro provides extensive opportunities for mentorship and networking, in addition to access to a growing library of video courses developed by industry leaders. Coro by iCadenza helps musicians build the professional skills required for longterm career success through online education, mentorship, and community. Content Coro by iCadenza provides access to an extensive library of video courses. These courses are developed by industry leaders, including people such as Sarah Robinson (author of the 2014 self-published e-book Clubbing for Classical Musicians), Astrid Baumgardner (Lecturer & Head of Office of Career Strategies at the Yale University School of Music), Nathan Cole (First Associate Concertmaster of the Los Angeles Philharmonic), Cassidy Fitzpatrick (Director of Community Engagement at the New World Symphony), and Rob Knopper (Percussionist of the Metropolitan Opera Orchestra and founder of auditionhacker). A wide variety of topics are covered, and courses include titles such as Resumes and Cover Letters, The Art of Collaboration, Making it Happen: A Guide to Self-Producing, Developing a Business Plan, Audition Preparation, Press Kit Secrets, Developing a Thriving Music Studio, Musicians & Taxes: How to Deduct Strategically, and Grant Writing. Each video lesson includes a downloadable workbook to help viewers immediately apply what they have learned to their own career. Coro by iCadenza recognizes that the music industry is constantly changing, so new courses are released three times a year to help users stay current. Coro offers Coaching Labs, which are small group coaching sessions that meet several times each week. These sessions are led by a member of the iCadenza team and focus on a particular topic that is announced beforehand. Up to three hours of Coaching Labs are offered each week, and subscribers are welcome to attend as many sessions as they wish. These sessions give members the unique opportunity to get individualized support and to connect with other members. Individual [End Page 134] coaching is also available to Coro members at a discounted rate. Coro prides itself on its sense of community, which is further built in a private, members-only Facebook group. The Coro by iCadenza Facebook group includes subscribers/performers from all over the world. Members have the opportunity to ask questions, find collaborative partners in their area, and attend weekly Facebook live sessions with members of the iCadenza team. The Facebook live sessions, which take place on Thursdays at 5pm PST, focus on a particular topic each week, such as networking tips for introverts or setting S.M.A.R.T. goals. Members have the opportunity to get involved by asking questions in advance or during the session, and all videos are archived in the Facebook group following the conclusion of the session. The iCadenza team posts daily discussion prompts which allow members to get to know and inspire one another, hold each other accountable as they work towards their goals, and celebrate each other's victories. The group is relatively small (217 members at the time of this writing), but it is well run and adds even more value to a subscription. Creators iCadenza was co-founded by Jennifer Rosenfeld and Julia Torgovitskaya Rapoport. Rosenfeld received her JD/MBA from Stanford Law School and Graduate School of Business, has taught career development for arts students at Stanford University, and is on the Board of Directors of the Los Angeles Philharmonic Association and KDFC, the Bay Area...