Watch

The Daily Challenge of Pursuing a Career in Music

Creator:
Published:
March 6, 2024
July 23, 2018
Wondering, 'Should I pursue music as a career?' Hear this musician's story of being told to quit his dreams to having his music go viral.

In college, Ted Yoder was told to quit chasing his dream of a music career. But he pursued his passion and now has a video with over 100 million views.

Video Transcript

Ted enrolled in college to become a music teacher. But that wasn’t his passion.

Ted Yoder: My first semester in college, my music professor told me I should quit because I was just buying into the lie that everybody says you can't make a living off of music.

Now, Ted makes his living off of music.

Ted: My wife spent wedding money, wedding gift money to get me a hammered dulcimer, so that's how it started.

”To yield and give way to our passions is the lowest slavery, even as to rule over them is the only liberty.” —St. Justin Martyr, Fragments, Fragment 18

Ted: You should be always progressing on your instrument. Part of the drive for me is just that constantly thing of knowing that I can get better. I'm playing totally different now than I did eight years ago, and eight years from now, I better play a lot better than I do now.

Creators:
Grotto
Published:
March 6, 2024
July 23, 2018
On a related note...
My Plans are Ruined, But I'm Realizing It's a Gift

My Plans are Ruined, But I'm Realizing It's a Gift

Marye Colleen Larme

Creating Art for Angioma Alliance Auction

Creating Art for Angioma Alliance Auction

Grotto

Artists Need Us to Use AI Responsibly — Here’s How To Do It

Artists Need Us to Use AI Responsibly — Here’s How To Do It

Molly Cruitt

How to Take Charge of Your Life

How to Take Charge of Your Life

Khang Tran

Gardening Hacks for Every Living Situation

Gardening Hacks for Every Living Situation

Grotto

How I Move Forward Without Having It 'All Figured Out'

How I Move Forward Without Having It 'All Figured Out'

Isaac Huss

Why This Engineer Chose a Year of Service After Graduation

Why This Engineer Chose a Year of Service After Graduation

Grotto

Wild Turkey Conservation and Oak Savanna Restoration

Wild Turkey Conservation and Oak Savanna Restoration

Grotto

Stunning Street Art in Paradise, California

Stunning Street Art in Paradise, California

Grotto

Holy Week Spotify Playlist | #GrottoMusic

Holy Week Spotify Playlist | #GrottoMusic

Grotto

Grotto’s Travel Guide to Paris

Grotto’s Travel Guide to Paris

Mary Claire Lagroue

The Small Voice Nudging Us From Within

The Small Voice Nudging Us From Within

Bethany Meola

"Jacob's Song" by Brother Isaiah

"Jacob's Song" by Brother Isaiah

Grotto Shares

What Would You Do If You Had a Week to Live?

What Would You Do If You Had a Week to Live?

Robert Christian

How to Say 'No' at Work

How to Say 'No' at Work

Claire Condon

Detroit SOUP Builds Community

Detroit SOUP Builds Community

Grotto

What Should You Do if You Get in a Minor Car Accident?

What Should You Do if You Get in a Minor Car Accident?

Grotto

How a Week of Prioritizing Kindness Changed Me

How a Week of Prioritizing Kindness Changed Me

Marye Colleen Larme

"Sun Cycle"

"Sun Cycle"

Josh Noem

Add These Books to Your Morning for an Inspiring Start

Add These Books to Your Morning for an Inspiring Start

Maureen O’Brien

newsletter

We’d love to be pals.

Sign up for our newsletter, and we’ll meet you in your inbox each week.