One of SFCM’s most valuable resources for its students is its alumni. With a strong community of graduates who remain connected to the Conservatory and the Bay Area music scene, musicians from multiple generations and class years can connect in a way that offers mentorship and professional development.

On March 13, four SFCM alumni—Benjamin Gribble ’05, Allegra Chapman ’13, Matthew Linaman ’13, and Ani Bukujian ’18—sat in front of a crowd in Osher Salon, volunteering what they’ve learned for the next class of graduates.

The topics didn’t just broach subjects such as performing or other strictly musically focused areas but also covered fundraising and aspects of running a business or festival. Chapman, a co-founder of Bard Music West, noted that developing donor support was key to her success with the festival.

“The number one thing that I’ve learned that has really been helpful is that, when you’re fundraising or when you’re looking for support for a project, you’re actually offering an opportunity to a donor to be involved in a really exciting thing that they wouldn’t be able to be involved in if it weren’t for you,” she remarked.

“It’s not really that you are asking them for a favor, it’s that you’re supposing joint privileges, which can be exciting for them.”

Linaman, who crowdfunded the purchase of his cello, offered some insight on developing a supportive community, as well. In his effort to raise money, he used his network to extend his list of contacts and attract interested donors.

“[An acquaintance] would learn about what I was up to and see how passionate I was about it,” he said. “They would say, ‘Oh, I have a friend who has a beautiful house and piano. Maybe he could host a concert for you.’ So I would host a concert at their house and they would invite their friends and I would talk about my project and slowly raise money that way. My network and relationships were growing.”

With important advice on starting and maintaining a private studio from Gribble—“make a contract with your students” was definitely a key point—and learning to lead in a professional ensemble from Bukujian (at the San Francisco Ballet Orchestra), each panelist had their own take on success as their separate journeys led them to different places.

“A lot of the ideas I heard today weren’t things that necessarily crossed my mind,” commented Jenny Ma ’20. “Hearing what I heard—it gets your mind going and thinking outside the box.”

“Does this mean I can fundraise to buy my own piano?” said attendee Chesley Mok ’19. “It’s such a huge investment. I started thinking, ‘How can I use this investment as a way to give back to the community?’ I always thought of it like ‘this is something I need.’ It’s something you can use to meet more people.”