The Art of Cold-Calling
Happy Tuesday! Just a heads up this newsletter is more of a story and a bit longer than usual, so you might wanna grab a coffee, sit down, and relax.
Today, I want to share my story of how cold-calling eventually led me to play on Broadway.
In fall 2010, right after I graduated from Juilliard, I was saying yes to every gig I got offered, no matter how little it paid. I also had a ticking bomb of an immigration Visa status expiring in less than a year. The only reason I could survive was that I found a room to live in for $400 a month. I was in a cab on my way to one of those low-pay gigs, wondering how I'm ever going to "make it". To my surprise, in that cab ride, I got a call saying I won a Radio City Christmas Spectacular job.
I should mention that Radio City Christmas Spectacular isn't technically a Broadway show, however, musicians who are hired were frequent regulars and substitutes of Broadway shows. It was my first time playing "show biz" type music to 5000 people per show, being paid a union wage. Coming from playing classical music to a much smaller audience, it felt like I discovered an alternate universe. This experience made playing on Broadway one of my dream jobs.
It's true when people say to surround yourself with who you want to be. It was so inspiring to work with musicians who were working on Broadway. That's when I started hearing about "cold-calling" — the practice of reaching out to Broadway contractors directly.
What is cold-calling?
Cold-calling in the music world means reaching out to a contractor (the person who hires musicians for shows) whom you have never met before. You introduce yourself, share your background, and express your interest in working with them.
Why does it work?
Most opportunities in the music world aren't posted anywhere. They're filled through networks and relationships. Cold-calling is how you start building those relationships before you need them.
How to do it well:
Be specific. Reference a specific show or ensemble. Show you've done your research.
Be brief. Two short paragraphs is enough. Introduce yourself, state why you're reaching out, include a link to your website.
Be patient. You may not hear back — and that's okay. Follow up once after two weeks.
Keep a list. Track who you've contacted, when, and the response.
After years of cold-calling, attending Broadway shows, and building relationships, I eventually got the call for Miss Saigon. It didn't happen overnight — it took years of consistent effort. But it worked.
I hope my story encourages you to reach out to that person you've been wanting to connect with. The worst they can say is nothing at all.