We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Gavin Worland a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Gavin, first a big thank you for taking the time to share your thoughts and insights with us today. I’m sure many of our readers will benefit from your wisdom, and one of the areas where we think your insight might be most helpful is related to imposter syndrome. Imposter syndrome is holding so many people back from reaching their true and highest potential and so we’d love to hear about your journey and how you overcame imposter syndrome.
For me, I remember that I am the only individual living the life that I am. There might be more people out there playing the trumpet, composing/ arranging, teaching, and bandleading, but I am the only one doing the things with the people I am doing them with.
With that being said, it is still a struggle on/ off especially being a graduate student at such a high-level institute as the Lamont School of Music at the University of Denver. Graduate school is a workout in almost every conceivable way, it helps to follow what you love to do and let your passion help you wake up at 6 am, or force you to finish that 12-page research paper (definitely not the night before)! The outside pressure that school and life apply on top of the critical thinking one applies to oneself doesn’t help any.
A lot of positive reinforcement via compliments, affirmations, and reassurance (mostly from myself) is what’s helped me stay on a lighter path compared to where I have been with my imposter syndrome. Just remember that you’re human no one is perfect, and that “dream” of being perfect (fill in the blank) isn’t even achievable. There will always be people better than you and worse than you, so be comfortable and embrace what makes you, you!
Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?
I am a trumpet player, composer, arranger, copyist, educator, and producer based out of Longmont, CO. I’m currently finishing my M.M. in Jazz Trumpet Performance at the Lamont School of Music at the University of Denver.
On top of that, I write and manage my large jazz ensemble (The Gavin Worland Big Band), and play regularly around Colorado with groups of varying genres form jazz bands, to tribute bands including a Motown/ Stax Tribute band called “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough”.
I teach trumpet, beginning piano, and composition privately remotely and am available for clinics, masterclasses, and commissions for any style/ genre of music.
There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?
For me, perseverance was a big one. Throughout my journey as an artist, people have told me that I can’t do “this” and I can’t do “that” left and right! Yes, it’s been difficult to manage and run a big band all on my own, or to get through an undergraduate degree remotely for two years to then commute via public transit 90 minutes each way to and from school every day for four years. It’s a hard process and with a lot of perseverance and a fair amount of stubbornness, it’s helped me get to the point where I can take some criticism and bounce back
Another really important trait that I’ve never personally struggled with but has helped immensely in my growth is willingness and open-mindedness. What I mean by this is the ability to hear other people’s input and opinions, try them, and see what works and doesn’t. I’ve been in lessons or rehearsals where someone suggests something to me that sounds crazy…until I try it and it makes my job easier or makes more sense to me. Sometimes it doesn’t, but you were willing to try and hear the other person out!
Finally, and probably one of the biggest reasons why I’m who I am, is the ability to be nice to everyone. It doesn’t matter what someone believes, looks like, is from, does, or whatever. Treat EVERYONE the way you would want to be treated by them. The amount of opportunities I have gotten from a friend to sub for them, or to take their place in a gig, or whatever simply by just being a good person while being a great musician (or whatever it is you do), has done nothing but great things for me, and will inevitably do great things for you too!
What was the most impactful thing your parents did for you?
My parents supported me unconditionally. They were all in and were my biggest fans when I was little and wanted to be a meteorologist and study tornadoes, and they’re supportive of my musical endeavors to this day still. My parents make all of my big bands’ merchandise and work the merch table at all our shows, they record videos and take pictures at almost every performance they can make it to.
One of the things I am most thankful for that they have done in supporting me is letting me continue to live at home while I am in school. Throughout my undergraduate and graduate degrees at MSU and DU, they have let me live at home for free and let me practice, even into the late hours of the night, while helping make sure I don’t graduate with even more debt than I need to have. I’m paying for my education myself, but they have and continue to help in so many more ways that I know separates me as a lucky individual for sure.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.worlandmusic.com
- Instagram: @worland.music
- Facebook: @Gavin Worland
- Other: Gavin Worland Big Band Instagram: @gavinworlandbigband
Image Credits
@Matthew Baena Photography @Jack Sasson Photography
