In the midst of the turmoil in the cultural industries, how do arts graduates find employment? What is the magic recipe for starting to earn a living in music, theater, or dance? Recent graduates share their aspirations. And tips for breaking into their discipline.
We join Marc-Étienne Leclerc by videoconference at the “Guitar Olympics,” the annual convention of the Guitar Foundation of America, in the suburbs of Los Angeles. The classical guitar graduate from the Conservatoire de musique de Gatineau couldn’t miss this prestigious event, which brings together the greatest virtuosos on the planet.
“I came to test the waters, familiarize myself with the environment and do some networking,” he says.
During the six-day convention, the young musician signed up for three private lessons and a master class with one goal in mind: next year, he wants to try his luck in the competitive part of the event. Yes, Marc-Étienne Leclerc plans to participate in the guitar Olympics. Nothing less.
Like an athlete who dreams of reaching the podium, the guitarist has been training for years to become an elite musician. He has just completed a master’s degree in classical guitar – he is one of the Conservatory graduates to have received a distinction in the final exam. But his preparation goes well beyond diplomas: he has always seized every opportunity to perfect his playing.
“How do you prepare for a career in guitar? By playing the guitar,” summarizes Marc-Étienne Leclerc. Before even finishing his studies, he had produced two albums — Traveling (in 2014), inspired by a four-year trip around the world, then Here and elsewhere (in 2019), still on the same theme. The musician is working on a third album which should be released towards the end of the year.
Not bad for a young man who just left the Conservatory. We are dealing with a real enthusiast, who does not do things by halves. The 31-year-old already makes a living from his other passion, yoga, which he has been teaching for years. Another sign of his extraordinary personality, Marc-Étienne Leclerc knows exactly what he wants to do with his life.
“My artistic vocation is to build a bridge between yoga and guitar. I see myself as the yogi of the guitar. I am a yogitarist!” he says, laughing.
An initiatory journey
The graduate is methodical, organized, meticulous. A long journey led him to a career as a musician that was underway long before he put a diploma on his wall. He has been playing guitar since he was 9 years old. However, he was considering going into medicine until he took a break from his studies at the age of 19.
Marc-Étienne Leclerc traveled for four years. He worked in Australia and New Zealand. He traveled across Asia, including India, where he deepened his knowledge of yoga. This trip changed his life. He recommends that all young people take this kind of initiatory journey after their studies.
“It’s worth travelling, taking a break to get to know yourself, rather than rushing into studies at 19,” he says.
The nomad returned with the certainty of wanting to devote himself to yoga and guitar. He no longer wanted to become a doctor. “Classical musicians, we experience a lot of stress. It’s very competitive. For me, mindfulness yoga acts as a balm. It helps me to be myself in adversity.”
Quest for meaning
Musicians starting out in the profession must diversify their interests not only to take their minds off things, but to earn a living. Marc-Étienne Leclerc is lucky enough to combine his two passions. He teaches yoga and guitar. He is already imagining his life project: teaching part-time at a conservatory or a music faculty, teaching yoga and touring all over the world to give concerts.
For him, yoga and classical guitar open up “a meditative space that allows you to touch people.” “The guitar touches something bigger than yourself, something beyond me. There is a beauty in art. There is a silence that sets in. It allows you to recharge your batteries, to connect with something else, in the non-verbal.”
He plans to specialize in sacred music, which makes you think, which gives meaning to life. He also likes romantic music, which provokes emotions. He is convinced that he can earn a good living with his art, but does not dream of driving a Tesla or another $75,000 car: this hope could be disappointed…
His quest for meaning led him to volunteer at a palliative care home. He played guitar for the dying. He also gave benefit concerts at DEP Sylvestre, a community organization in Gatineau. At his concerts, his girlfriend sold a few CDs. He made a name for himself. His name got around. It opened the door to other opportunities to play guitar.
Provoke fate
Marc-Étienne Leclerc even performed at the prestigious Bourgie Hall in Montreal, opening for international star Ana Vidovic. He was the winner of a competition that gave him access to this renowned stage, with the added bonus of a master class in front of an audience with the Croatian-born virtuoso.
The student remembers the emotion that rose within him: “I know Ana. It’s possible to play with her at the Bourgie Hall.”
What he takes away from this experience is the need to “provoke destiny”. “If I hadn’t taken this opportunity, it wouldn’t have happened by itself.”
In the same spirit, he participates in as many competitions as possible. He won honors at two recent national-calibre competitions: second prize in Houston, Texas, and first prize at the Festival de musique du Royaume in Chicoutimi.
These scholarships funded his stay at the largest guitar festival in California, where we joined him by videoconference. It is there, at these “Guitar Olympics,” that he plans to return in a year, this time in competition. “And if I don’t win an award, I will have developed as an artist.”