#179 Music Career Myths: What Parents Need to Know with Melissa Mulligan

Flourish Coaching

Jun 17, 2025

In this episode, Lisa and Melissa discuss:

The misconceptions and realities of pursuing a music career
The value and limitations of majoring in music at college
How parents can support teens responsibly pursuing creative paths
Building sustainable and financially secure careers in the arts

Key Takeaways:

Majoring in music is often unnecessary, and sometimes unhelpful, for students pursuing contemporary music careers, who instead benefit more from learning entrepreneurial skills like music production, video editing, and social media marketing.
Many successful musicians build income through diverse streams like collaboration, licensing, freelance production, and music business work, not just from their own music.
Early hands-on experience in music production, collaboration, and entrepreneurship helps students determine whether a professional music career is right for them before committing to a college major or expensive program.
A helpful question to guide college decisions is: “What are you hiring a college to do for you?” Focusing on outcomes like networking or skill-building rather than simply pursuing prestige.

“You do not need a piece of paper, or an institution, or anyone’s permission to become great at your craft. Become an entrepreneur and launch yourself.” – Melissa Mulligan

About Melissa Mulligan: Melissa Mulligan is a renowned vocal and music career coach who has guided platinum-selling, award-winning, and touring artists including Jack from AJR, Chelsea Cutler, Jeremy Zucker, and Aria Lisslo, the 2024 John Lennon Songwriter Award winner. With decades of experience, she has coached talent across genres, from Emmy-winning performers to pop-punk legends. Melissa is the founder of Music Career Mastermind, a global coaching collective of top-tier producers, songwriters, and music industry experts. Through this initiative, she helps indie artists and aspiring professionals build authentic, sustainable careers in music while getting recognized for their most unique creative work.

Episode References:

Register now for Real Talk: Mapping Music Careers and College Paths — a four-person expert panel featuring Melissa Mulligan, Lisa Marker Robbins, Dr. Christine Gangelhoff, and Dr. Elena Johnson: flourishcoachingco.com/music

Get Lisa’s Free on-demand video: How-to guide for your teen to choose the right major, college, & career…(without painting themselves into a corner, missing crucial deadlines, or risking choices you both regret).

flourishcoachingco.com/video

Connect with Melissa:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/music_career_mastermind

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mymmvs/

Website: https://www.mastermindroad.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/melissa-mulligan-3ab018142/

Connect with Lisa:

Website: https://www.flourishcoachingco.com/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@flourishcoachingco

Pinterest: https://pin.it/kiMCm5Dwl

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/flourishcoachingco/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/flourish-coaching-co