Meet Trailblazer Rhapsody Snyder

Today we’d like to introduce you to Rhapsody Snyder.

Rhapsody, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
I grew up with two classical musician parents, so my love of music was embedded at a very young age. My parents are also music teachers, so I was immersed in music education every day. I left home at 16 when I was accepted to Interlochen Arts Academy, a music and arts boarding school near Traverse City, Michigan. After graduating at 18, I moved to Chicago to study piano at DePaul University, and recently completed my Masters in Performing Arts Administration from Roosevelt University’s Chicago College of Performing Arts.

I started my administrative career as the Program Coordinator for a presenting organization called PianoForte Foundation when I was 20 and organized large-scale festivals, concerts, radio broadcasts and was the Director of Operations for the first and second Chicago International Amateur Piano Competitions. I shifted my focus back to music education and moved on to work as the Program Director for Foundations of Music where I managed free music education programs for Chicago Public Schools.

I was then recruited to work as the Chicago Institutional Sales Manager for Steinway & Sons piano company. I loved that job and the amazing people I worked with, but the pull to return to music education was very strong. I left Steinway and began working as the Music Department Director at the School of Performing Arts in Naperville, IL. After a few years, I was recruited to be the Director of Operations & Student Affairs at the New Music School downtown – an amazing opportunity to work with some of Chicago’s most talented faculty and young musicians. Here I manage 37 faculty members, 2 staff, and approximately 300 students.

In my early twenties, I was very dedicated to the promotion and development of not-for-profit organizations and was the on-site organizer of Active Blessing Uganda, an orphan relief organization based in Mbale, Uganda. I spent my summers in Uganda organizing groups of college interns to facilitate music and art therapy programs for escaped child soldiers from the LRA.

I’ve played in numerous bands and ensembles, ranging from classical to rock to musical theater in Chicago venues such as House of Blues Chicago, The Metro and Lincoln Hall. I’ve performed on WBEZ’s Vocalo 90.7FM Live from Studio 10 and am featured on albums with The Lifeline and Rachel Eve. I performed in the Chicago Premier of Steve Reich’s Music for 18 Musicians at DePaul University and was the featured pianist in It’s A Wonderful Life: The Radio Play at American Theater Company.

Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
I don’t think a career is ever an easy thing for young women to navigate. I have been plagued with self-doubt that my career has too many different types of jobs, but now I see it shows I am not scared of change and I take risks. With each new risk, I become a stronger and more versatile manager.

My biggest piece of advice for young women starting their career is to cultivate your positive reputation through hard work and networking. I have been recruited for many positions through word of mouth. Never leave a job on bad terms, and create genuine and positive relationships with everybody you work with.

Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about New Music School – what should we know?
I specialize in music education as I’ve been working in the field for 18 years. I started teaching when I was 14, taught in Chicago Public Schools on the south and west sides, had a private piano studio, and taught in many community music schools. Working in administration as the Director of Operations at the New Music School has allowed me to enact change and impact on a much larger scale by creating systems and opportunities for all kinds of students.

I believe every person deserves to learn music, and it’s my personal mission to create spaces for young people to grow. I am passionate about music being a tool young people can use to succeed in other aspects of their life. Music teaches transferable skills such as perseverance, teamwork, active listening, dedication, focused attention, and connecting with your emotions. For me, music education is about creating the whole individual.

We’re interested to hear your thoughts on female leadership – in particular, what do you feel are the biggest barriers or obstacles?
I think people will always try to belittle young women. They rarely assume we are the boss (it’s often assumed I am the receptionist, not the director). Classical music is a very male-dominated field – orchestras were nearly exclusively male (and white) before auditions became “blind auditions” in the 1980’s. As of 2014, only 5 out of 150 orchestra conductors are female. This translates to administrators too, where many women still do not hold CEO positions. I think that each one of us who rises to a leadership position in music is making it slightly easier for the next woman, and the next, and the next.

Pricing:

• Lessons begin at $42.50/30 minute lesson at New Music School.

Contact Info:

• Address: 900 N. Michigan Avenue, Floor 6
  Chicago, IL 60611
• Website: https://www.newmusicschool.com
• Phone: 312-612-1969
• Email: rhapsody@newmusicschool.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/newmusicschool/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/newmusicschool
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/newmusicschool

Image Credit:
Ruben Cantu Photography http://www.rubencantuphotography.com/contact/

Getting in touch: VoyageChicago is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.