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Opportunities, connections and mentorship: in the classroom

In the classroom, Justin has found that there have been a lot of opportunities to connect with professors and peers, to learn about the art of performance in addition to his curriculum. For example, in his Orchestral Studies classes he took in his 3rd and 4th years, he’d meet three times a week in groups of about 5 to rehearse and learn under professors, visiting artists and Maser’s students who were conducting. Students would give a “master class” (mini performance) in front of everyone, and different faculty members and artists would provide feedback, so that students could learn from a variety of perspectives. This course also served as a feeder program, as external orchestras would often reach out to the undergraduate music faculty for performers. Additionally, the faculty’s mentorship program pairs up incoming first-year students with an upper year student on a similar career trajectory; Justin was paired with a 4th-year Trumpet student who was able to answer his questions and who had studied under the same professors he’d be learning from, which he says eased his transition into university. 
 

Opportunities, connections and mentorship: outside the classroom

Outside the classroom, opportunities like the Music Oasis Series - pop-up concerts in non-traditional venues, like the lobby of the law building - helped students get exposure and experience in live performing. Justin also notes that the Music faculty’s booking office helped him, and many of his peers find side jobs that eventually lead to important connections and lasting work. For example, he worked a series of events off-campus, such as weddings, law faculty galas, Toronto Yacht Club meetings and more. Eventually, this experience led to him getting selected by a professor to play at a church in the Beaches next to members of the Toronto Symphony Orchestra. Justin states that “the Faculty of Music is well-connected in the greater Toronto community, performing and working locally, and will put students’ names forward for events they’re involved in on the freelance side of their work.”
 

Getting paid along the way

In his second year, Justin began his Work-Study position in the Faculty of Music’s Admissions Office. In this role, he spoke to prospective students, gave weekly tours, and helped to plan big events like Fall Campus Day and the Ontario Universities Fair (OUF). Not only did this allow Justin to earn money during his undergrad, but he also found a passion he never knew he had in higher education administration. He says he enjoyed speaking with prospective students and guiding them in the right direction in their university journeys.