I began a bachelor of music in clarinet with a strong emphasis on conducting while taking a bachelor of Life Science at Queen’s University. I found myself crossing the street one day from a biochemistry lecture entering the music building, looking for the freedom music had always given me, and found myself accepted a few weeks later to a simultaneous bachelor of music. Thanks @Gordon Craig. Those few years changed my life.

While I went on to a career in pharmaceuticals and technology leveraging the creativity of marketing with my passion for science, I never forgot what made performing and rehearsing with fellow musicians so transformational.

• Looking at a new piece of music getting into the head of the composer. What were they trying to do, what emotions, what journey were they on? Like a business leader’s guide on mission statement and marketing plans. Is the journey clear or will it sound like 30 musicians all trying to figure it out on their own? A mess.
• Facing an orchestra to rehearse. Which players can handle difficult passages with elegance freeing them up to allow my interpretation as a conductor, and which are struggling with the fundamentals. A great lesson in sales and marketing management – identifying where to spend your time. Who is further along, identify where your investment will pay off on their journey regardless of the task before you.

All of my experiences contribute and guide me and my musical past is as much a guide as any other.