RUNNING START
Dedicated staff help students find the resources they need to prepare them to creatively channel their passions into vibrant careers.
Explore Running StartDedicated staff help students find the resources they need to prepare them to creatively channel their passions into vibrant careers.
Explore Running StartWhat is the Running Start Office?
The Running Start Office is your curated career services and entrepreneurship office. Run by musicians for musicians to help you pursue your career, no matter what field you’re looking into!
Running Start prepares students to creatively channel their passions into vibrant careers by providing:
- career advising appointments
- online career resources
- workshops & masterclasses
- funding & grants
- opportunities in music (performance, teaching, internships, etc.)
- engagement and networking
- AND MORE!
Upcoming Career Events and Workshops
Running Start hosts a number of group intensives, guest artist workshops, and other events throughout the academic year. Presenters include faculty members, guests, and alumni. Events and workshops cover topics essential to young performers and teachers, including self-promotion, resume-writing, building a private studio, constructing a teaching philosophy, planning engaging, audience-friendly programs, and more!
Registration on Handshake is required for all workshops unless separate registration link is noted in the event listings below. To search Music workshops on Handshake, go to the workshops tab and use the keyword “MUS.”
Check out these QUICK LINKS to upcoming events, workshops, and career development opportunities!
Upcoming Events
Members of Ensemble Dal Niente will be reading through works written by MSU Composition students as part of their week-long Entrepreneurial Music Artists in Residence (EMAR) program.
EMAR guests Ensemble Dal Niente will give a performance, followed by a post-concert talk, open to the public.
Conducting Seminar welcomes Ensemble Dal Niente.
Meet with members of Ensemble Dal Niente over coffee (or tea!) to discuss their careers as a musicians, starting your own music business, managing a performance career and work/life balance, auditioning tips/tricks, outreach programming, working with living composers, and more!
Sign ups are limited and will be added soon.
Professor Lam’s Violin Studio Class with Ensemble Dal Niente Violinist, Caitlin Edwards.
Members of EMAR guests Ensemble Dal Niente present to the MSU College of Music’s freshman seminar about the entrepreneurial mindset in music.
Join Professor Yvonne Lam’s Friday Chamber Music Seminar where members of Ensemble Dal Niente will be working with MSU Music Students in a masterclass setting.
Join the Running Start Office and Music Faculty Kenneth Thompkins and Chance Huiet for an audition prep and success workshop! Ask your questions about auditioning for professional ensembles, grab some great handouts, and join an interactive experience to build your confidence before your next big audition!
TIME AND LOCATION TBD
Join LSU’s Dean Eric Lau and Dr. Rachel Aker for a presentation on preparing for faculty job interviews.
How do you stand out in the application process? What things you can do to increase your chances of getting an interview?
All this and more will be discussed!
Join the Running Start Office and Music Faculty Kenneth Thompkins and Chance Huiet for an audition prep and success workshop! Ask your questions about auditioning for professional ensembles, grab some great handouts, and join an interactive experience to build your confidence before your next big audition!
TIME AND LOCATION TBD
Running Start is excited to partner with the MSU writing center to hold drop in advising for grad school application materials.
OFFICIAL DATE, TIME, AND LOCATION TBD
Join the Running Start Office and Music Faculty Kenneth Thompkins and Chance Huiet for an audition prep and success workshop! Ask your questions about auditioning for professional ensembles, grab some great handouts, and join an interactive experience to build your confidence before your next big audition!
TIME AND LOCATION TBD
Join the Running Start Office and Music Faculty Kenneth Thompkins and Chance Huiet for an audition prep and success workshop! Ask your questions about auditioning for professional ensembles, grab some great handouts, and join an interactive experience to build your confidence before your next big audition!
TIME AND LOCATION TBD
Session 2 – Tax Tracking Tips: keep better track of income and expenses, what it means to “write something off,” setting up business accounts, writing contracts / invoices, and more! Featuring guest speaker MSU College of Music alum. Chad Rehman (composer)
FREE SNACKS
Content is primarily focused on music / musicians, however the information is easily transferrable to students pursuing any creative careers!
Running Start is excited to partner with the MSU writing center to hold drop in advising for grad school application materials.
OFFICIAL DATE, TIME, AND LOCATION TBD
News & Announcements
Successes and Outcomes: The 2026 Annual Report
Read the 2025-2026 Annual Report and discover how Running Start is fueling music careers and sparking innovation across the College of Music.
View PDFContact Us / Follow Running Start
Sign Up for an Advising Appointment via Handshake
Emily Henley – henleyem@msu.edu
Follow us on socials!
The Running Start Program is supported by Dortha J. and John D. Withrow Career Building Endowment in the College of Music and the MSU Federal Credit Union Entrepreneurial Musical Artist in Residence Endowment. Special thanks to the MSU Federal Credit Union for their support of other Running Start programs, including the Running Start Competition and Ed Engagement Residency.