Meet Deanna Swoboda of Phoenix Brass Collective

Today we’d like to introduce you to Deanna Swoboda.

Thanks for sharing your story with us Deanna. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
I am a musician and I am a self-starter. I learned early on that it takes more than talent or five hours of practice each day to have a successful career in the arts. I am a tuba player, and artist/performer, educator, and entrepreneur. I completed three degrees in music performance (BM, MM, DMA) and along the way developed the skills necessary to run my own business and organize myself for success. Initially, I found a niche in music education. I created a one-woman educational music performance program and called it “Band Blast Off”. The program was highly desirable to elementary schools and music stores around the United States. I toured this program for approximately ten years in combination with teaching adjunct at a university, teaching private music lessons and touring with a brass group called Dallas Brass. Over the span of ten years, I learned a lot about doing business, connecting with people, how to talk about myself and my product. This helped focus my energies into my current career which is teaching music and music entrepreneurship full time at Arizona State University and directing a community performance group called Phoenix Brass Collective.

Has it been a smooth road?
I definitely encountered struggles along the way, however those struggles served as positive guides for what I should be doing next. One of the biggest challenges for me in the beginning was developing a customer base. It does not happen overnight and is the result of developing relationships with people and not everyone wants or likes your product. I learned that it’s best to start with the people you know (your circles of influence) and that word of mouth is incredibly powerful. People want to buy a product because it’s an excellent product and is something they need but they also want to trust the person selling the product. I developed a strong customer base via my relationships with music dealers and music educators.

Another challenge was realizing that I could only be in one place at a time. I spread myself too thin – trying to be all things to all people. This is when I discovered PIGS – Perpetual Income Generators (intellectual property that you can sell to your customers – like a book or a video). I developed several high-quality products that put money into my pocket, helped to contract more performances and gigs, and provided professional credibility to my business venture.

We’d love to hear more about your work and what you are currently focused on. What else should we know?
As a creative, I enjoy having multiple projects going at the same time. One week I might be hosting a conference, preparing the premiere of a new work, presenting a master class, teaching full time, performing with a community ensemble, while also preparing a recital and an upcoming chamber music program. I am known for bringing a positive attitude to a work environment and helping to inspire a group of people to do their very best. I think this is also what sets me apart from others. I learned early on that people like to be part of a positive environment – work is more fun and becomes more efficient as a result. You can have high standards and high expectations while also experiencing a positive work environment.

I teach and perform music full time and specialize in organizing and designing creative programs while finding a life balance amongst it all.

What were you like growing up?
As a child, I was curious. I liked learning new things and talking to people. I also loved to read and would spend a couple of hours each day at the public library. A book that I read early in high school greatly influenced the way learned how to speak to people and how I perceived relationships – “How to Win Friends and Influence People.” Sounds corny – but it’s a great book. I recommend it to people today.

Contact Info:

• Website: http://deannaswoboda.com/ and https://www.phxbrass.com/
• Phone: 602-432-0981
• Email: dswobod@asu.edu

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