FAR-West 2026 Conference Panel
Make Music Work
Alternate Income Streams for the Working Musician
Friday, October 16th
10:30 AM – 11:30 AM
Hamilton Room
Music is your calling and your passion, but not always your main source of income. How can we align our creativity with income-generating work, in a way that amplifies our artistry while contributing meaningfully to our community? There is no one right answer, but hear from four artists with meaningful side gigs, and get inspired to find your own! We will explore the fields of teaching artistry in schools and communities, artists in residence, working with churches, music schools, nonprofts, starting your own socially engaged project and more.
Moderator
Joselyn Wilkinson, of Joselyn & Don, FAR-West Board Member
Speakers
Mary Scholz, Mary Scholz, Singer/Songwriter / Educator / Activist
Mary Scholz is a Los Angeles-based Americana singer-songwriter and dedicated activist whose music and weekly "Wednesdays" Instagram livestream guide her community toward political action on issues from climate and endangered species to voting rights and immigrant justice. She has performed at Sundance's ASCAP Music Cafe and SXSW, and brings nearly two decades of touring and a practice of turning audiences into participants. https://www.maryscholz.com
Cheryl Branz, FAR-West , Board - Secretary
Cheryl Branz is a regional performing singer-songwriter and the second-generation owner of a consumer show promotion company based in Spokane, WA. The existential crisis of joining the family business is what first led her to pick up a guitar. Known for her spot-on vocals and witty stage banter, she shares songs from the heartfelt to the hilarious with anyone willing to listen. https://cherylbranz.com
Gail Dreifus, Yosemite Songwriting Retreat, FAR-West Board Member
Gail Lynne Dreifus, a member of the FAR-West board. She’s a transplant from the east coast who landed near Yosemite National Park where she created a family musical program that she performed for years, winning an Interpretive Arts Award from the National Park Service. Gail is also an educator, presently teaching music part-time at a local charter school. Gail created and directs the Yosemite Songwriting Retreat which is now in its eleventh year. She plays guitar and ukulele, writing songs from the heart and with humor. Gail has performed in many musical ensembles and is currently in the duo, “Home Tonight” with her partner David Budries. Gail will be releasing a new CD in the Fall produced by Joe Craven.
Workshop Resource Notes
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Public Funding, Grants & Institutional Partnerships
Leveraging government, civic, and organizational opportunities can fund large-scale creative visions and community-focused projects.
• Arts Councils & Cultural Agencies: Apply for local, regional, and national arts council grants.
• Artists in Residence: Secure institutional residencies that pay for creative time and community engagement.
• Tourism & Parks Funding:
o County Tourism Bureau Funding: Your music events as a draw for regional tourism.
o State Parks & Dept. of Parks and Rec: Pitch outdoor concert series, nature-inspired performances, or immersive soundscape projects.
o Environmental & Cultural Centers: Look into unique institutional spaces like the World Forestry Center (Portland, OR) or green initiatives like the Go Green Expo that hire entertainment aligned with ecological themes.
• Educational Grants: Pursue arts grants specifically earmarked for schools and districts, with a high priority often placed on rural communities.
• The Project-First Approach: "Imagine a creative project and find a way to pursue it." Let your artistic vision lead, then seek out the funding or grants that align with it.
o Research opportunities with organization Music To Life -
Health, Wellness & Community Service Venues
Performance in healing and care environments provides meaningful income while serving a deeply appreciative audience.
• Healthcare & Bedside Music:
o Programs like Music and Medicine (e.g., Cedars-Sinai) integrate music into healing environments.
o Singing or playing at patient bedsides or in clinical recovery spaces.
• Senior Care & Memory Care Facilities: Senior centers and memory care facilities often have dedicated budgets for entertainment, therapeutic activities, and recurring programming. This combines paid work with rewarding service.
• Spiritual & Memorial Services:
o Churches and religious organizations (choir work, guest musician slots, seasonal services).
o Funeral homes (singing or playing at services—a sensitive but consistently needed professional service). -
Niche Markets & Specialized Live Events
Targeted events can command better pay and dedicated audiences.
• Conferences & Fan Conventions:
o Science Fiction Festivals (FILK): Perform niche genre music and get booked as a Guest of Honor at specialized conventions.
• Corporate & Private Functions:
o Entertainment for benefit or company events
o Strolling violinists or acoustic acts for high-end cocktail parties.
o National anthem performances at major or minor sporting events.
• Family & Youth Entertainment:
o Children's music bands playing school assemblies and community festivals.
o Children’s theatres and amusement parks.
• Transit Hubs: Performing in airport lounges or transit spaces with music budgets. -
Educational & Skill-Adjacent Income Streams
Leveraging your broader musical and artistic skillset into adjacent industries creates financial stability between performance gigs.
• Teaching & Academia: Teaching writing or music in colleges, workshops, and intensive creative retreats.
• Adjacent Technical Fields: Expanding into sound design, tech fields, and video editing utilizing your studio or production expertise.
5. Actionable Strategies & Staying Grounded
• The Calendar Habit: Set a recurring event on your calendar once a month solely dedicated to brainstorming, researching, and applying for new opportunities.
• Mindset & Gratitude: Taking gigs outside your core artistic passion can sometimes feel frustrating, but staying grounded and cultivating gratitude for the ability to make a living playing music changes the perspective entirely.