Morgan Maassel shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.
Morgan, really appreciate you sharing your stories and insights with us. The world would have so much more understanding and empathy if we all were a bit more open about our stories and how they have helped shaped our journey and worldview. Let’s jump in with a fun one: What is a normal day like for you right now?
A normal day for me right now starts at 9 am. I wake up and take care of my dog and chickens and get breakfast and sunshine first thing. I try hard to not look at my phone for the first half hour at least. Once I’m ready for the day, I usually have 2 hours to do chores around the house, run errands, or follow up with potential clients. Then, I leave to teach, record (or I record from home), or have rehearsals scheduled. I do my best to be home by 7:30, barring nights I’m performing, so that I can spend some time with my family before we need to go to bed. Currently, I’m working on so many things I don’t have a lot of free time, but when I have it, I’m reading, studying a new topics, watching some show I’m hyper-fixated on, or trying to exercise.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
My name is Morgan Maassel. I’m a string player in the Nashville area who loves a diverse work day. Whether it’s teaching, performing or recording, I love a challenge. I am very adaptable and love learning. I am always playing more than one style of music in any given day. I love classical and fiddling alike. It is my goal to share my love of music with others.
I’m currently teaching dozens of students (children, adults, disabled, old and young) at my studios in Franklin and Burns. I recently opened the Burns studio and am excited to serve the Dickson County area in addition to Williamson County. I have been doing a fair bit of session work at home and in studio encompassing many genres including pop, CCM, metal, Celtic styles, and film scores. I have also been playing classical works and pops with Orchestra Bowling Green Kentucky and the Tennessee Philharmonic. The last couple months in particular I have been kept very busy with weddings- I play ceremonies, cocktail hours, and dinners.
Okay, so here’s a deep one: What was your earliest memory of feeling powerful?
My earliest memory of feeling powerful was at the 6th grade talent show. I played Secrets by OneRepublic with the music video playing on a big screen in the background and it was the first time I’d ever played violin for others in a creative way that was all my own making. Previously, I always needed sheet music and had my teacher telling me what to play. While I did learn the song from sheet music, I had it memorized and felt very confident about it. It was also my favorite song at the time, so it was a very fun experience for me. The crowd loved it and I never had so many people clap for me before and really mean it.
What fear has held you back the most in your life?
The fear that has held me back the most in life is being afraid I’m not good enough. It held me back from enjoying so many things. I forced myself to confront it continuously over the last decade or so of my life but just couldn’t come to grips with it until the last 4-5 years or so. After I graduated college and began seeing what I was really capable of, I gained more confidence and more trust in myself. I fully realized that while yes, there is always someone better than me, that doesn’t mean I shouldn’t try. Hard work does pay off and someday I’ll be better than I am today and someone will be looking up to me. It’s ok to just be what I am and do what I can do. If someone doesn’t like it and doesn’t think I’m good enough, then who cares? What is meant for me will come to me and I will have the skills I need to tackle it.
I think our readers would appreciate hearing more about your values and what you think matters in life and career, etc. So our next question is along those lines. What are the biggest lies your industry tells itself?
“The struggling artist” doesn’t have ti be the standard. I know a lot of people who romanticize this, and while this is the reality for some people, it really doesn’t have to be for most people. I’m a musician who has business skills and has been able to make enough to support me and my family. No, it’s not easy and there are ups and downs, but it is absolutely doable. Talent is a prerequisite. Persistence, hard work, creativity, and networking/marketing/money-sense will do the rest.
Okay, we’ve made it essentially to the end. One last question before you go. What do you understand deeply that most people don’t?
I think a lot of people may disagree with me on this, but as a Christian, I understand that God provides. Yes, I can put in all this effort myself, but ultimately, God knows what I need and He provides the work. He also knows when I need rest more than work and He will take work from me. These have both happened more than once, and I am so grateful to know I serve and trust such a loving and wise God. It makes me approach the dips in business more gracefully and with curiosity and hopefulness.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://Www.morganmaasselviolin.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/morgannotsobland?igsh=MWxiMnl0aXdsZGtiag%3D%3D&utm_source=qr
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/1BnM1KinHC/?mibextid=wwXIfr
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/@morganmaasselviolin?si=WIKgX5DB81IvdKB7
- Other: TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@morganmaasselviolin?_t=ZT-90Yhsq5MwX8&_r=1
