Today we’d like to introduce you to Marc Christian.
Hi Marc, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today.
My name is Marc Christian. I am a cellist and composer based in Southern California. Throughout my career, I have been blessed with the opportunity to play for the Grammy’s, H.E.R., Us The Duo, Chrissy Metz, The Movie Guide Awards Show, DJ Deorro, the Gary Sinise Foundation, and countless weddings and special events!
I started playing drums when I was 8. Piano at 9, and cello at 10. I fell in love with the cello the most because it resembled the human voice. I was never able to sing the way I wanted, so when I learned to play cello it became my favorite way to express myself. I studied cello in college and actually dropped out when I realized no one in the industry cared about my music degree haha. I wanted to be a working and performing musician, so I started doing that.
Right out of college, I started teaching, performing, and working as a recording artists. It was not until the last few years where I decided to go all in with the wedding and special events industry. I LOVE this industry! Being part of the biggest events in people’s lives is something I do not take lightly. Getting married to my wife just over a year ago, I have realized how important that day is. Being a part of so many couple weddings is an absolute honor.
Working in this industry has helped me grow as a person. I am able to serve my client on their big day rather than serving myself. I think when I was younger my motivation for performing music was for self-validation. The applause and attention felt good, and all the compliments would serve as a nice ego boost. However, that type of motivation was not substantial enough to put my all into my work. Today, I am ecstatic and grateful to be able to serve so many couples on their big day. If that means staying up all night to learn a last-minute song request, then so be it. If that means arriving at a venue 3 hours early because of a difficult setup, I’ll be there. My mission for my couples and listeners is simple. It is to give what music has given to me. An enriched life, unforgettable moments, and to reach a part of your soul that nothing else can.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey has been a fairly smooth road?
The start of my music career was extremely rocky, and it still has its moments now. But such is life, right? Making money with my music was something that took me a while to figure out. I could write a book about all the crazy apartments I lived in to save some cash. From unknowingly renting a room in a trap house to living with a meth addict landlord, I would say I developed some thick skin!
Aside from the financial struggles, there is one issue that myself and many other musicians face. It is not being able to separate ourselves from our product. Let me explain. As musicians and artists, we spend years developing our skills, and we put our heart and soul into our work. As a result, our music then becomes something deeply personal. When we finally build up the courage to present our work to the world it can be scary. We don’t see it as just playing music for an audience but rather showing the audience who we are. If the performance is not received well, it feels like a knife to the chest.
This sort of thinking is damaging to a music career. If your work isn’t being received well, that is an indicator that you need to improve or that you should try and use it in a different part of the market. For example, you might not fit into the performance world if you are painfully introverted. However, you might be a killer in the studio world.
As silly as it might sound, it took me years to realize that I am not my music. Music is a medium I choose to express myself and the tool in which I use to generate income. There is a famous quote from a Pablo Casals, a renowned cellist. “I am a human being first, a musician second, a cellist third.” I heard that quote when I was 10 years old from my cello teacher. I did not realize what it meant until my adult life.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I am a cellist specializing in the wedding and special events industry. I am known for providing a full and lush sound as a single performer. I have an extensive setup that makes me able to create an elevated experience. As far as what sets me apart, I am willing to risk sounding pretentious and say that I am one of the top wedding musicians in the area. I have 100’s of weddings under my belt and I truly put my all into them. I know the industry well, and I see how many music vendors are doing the bare minimum. They do not practice the music ahead of time, and they do not respect their clients. There are only a handful of wedding musicians that have integrity and are committed to providing top service. When you see them, you’ll know right away!
Any advice for finding a mentor or networking in general?
If you want to find a mentor, I think the number one thing to be aware of is if you are actually coachable. Be humble and gracious when people are sharing their knowledge. Let them know you value their wisdom that took them decades to acquire. Why would someone with 20+ years of experience care to teach someone that thinks they know it all?
I think when you become a good student, the mentors will follow. Usually, that mentor you need at the moment is already in your circle.
Pricing:
- Bronze 30 minutes of prelude music before the ceremony while guests arrive to set the atmosphere ● 3-5 Special request ceremony songs Solo $1100 Duo $1500 Trio $1900
- Silver (Most popular) ● 30 minutes of prelude music before the ceremony while guests arrive to set the atmosphere ● 3-5 Special request ceremony songs ● 1 hour of music for cocktail hour Solo $1600 Duo $2100 Trio $2600
- Gold ● 30 minutes of prelude music before the ceremony while guests arrive to set the atmosphere ● 3-5 Special request ceremony songs ● 1 hour of music for cocktail hour ● 1st dance song ● 1 hour of music for dinner Solo $2100 Duo $2600 Trio $3600
Contact Info:
- Website: MarcChristianCello.com
- Instagram: Instagram.com/MarcChristian.Cello
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MarcChristianCello
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@MarcChristianCello
Image Credits
Jakob Holmes Images
