Founder, Trumpet
Current City: Washington, DC
Current Job and Entrepreneurial Focus:
Co-Founder of Virtu.Academy, a platform dedicated to providing private, online music lessons from world-class educators, including Grammy winners and Juilliard-trained musicians. We started Virtu.Academy while we were students at Oberlin Conservatory, where we realized that many incredibly talented musicians and educators were struggling to find jobs and students after graduation. At the same time, we found that many students in the rural communities surrounding Oberlin lacked access to quality music education. We realized we could bridge this gap through online lessons and work towards providing high-quality music education to all students, regardless of their background.
Notable Prior Jobs:
After graduating from Oberlin, I worked as a biomedical researcher at the National Institutes of Health's Undiagnosed Diseases Program for two years while working on Virtu.Academy on nights and weekends.
When I Started Performing: Age 5
Performing Arts Background:
I began playing music at the age of 5. When I went to college, I couldn't decide if I wanted to pursue science or music, so I joined Oberlin's Double Degree program and majored in trumpet performance alongside biochemistry. During my time at Oberlin, I participated in their various jazz and classical ensembles. Currently, I perform with a band in Washington, DC and enjoy the local music scene.
How did your performing arts background supercharge your entrepreneurship?
Performing teaches countless valuable skills necessary for entrepreneurship, such as problem-solving, creativity, and focus. However, the biggest impact on my entrepreneurship has been teamwork and collaboration. In music ensembles of any size, we work with diverse talents, leveraging each musician's unique strengths to create something greater than any individual performer. The skills needed to perform in an ensemble transfer directly to building a business team, where selecting members who excel in their areas and integrating them into your team is crucial. The lessons I've learned from leading and participating in ensembles have been invaluable in building an effective team and ensuring everyone is fulfilled with their work.
Favorite Performer: Ambrose Akinmusire
Follow this Performer:
Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/virtu.academy/
Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/Virtu.Academy/
LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/benjamin-steger
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