We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Eric Schultz a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Eric, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Can you talk to us about a project that’s meant a lot to you?

After years in the making, I am beyond thrilled to announce the release of my debut album this month. This project is incredibly close to my heart for many reasons, but most importantly, because it’s built on a foundation of showcasing brand new music by living composers. The entire album was intentionally designed to highlight these fresh voices in contemporary music—voices that are often underrepresented in mainstream classical recordings.

There is so much music in the world waiting to be heard, music that hasn’t been recorded or shared widely with audiences. There’s a kind of magic in hearing something brand new, something that has never existed in the world until that moment.

What made this project especially meaningful was the time, dedication, and collaboration that went into it. Over the course of several years, I worked with a number of talented composers, performers, and producers to bring this vision to life. Each piece on the album represents not just the composer’s voice but the collective effort of everyone involved. It was a process of discovery, both in terms of the music and the community we built around it.
Of course, this journey wasn’t without its challenges—everything from securing funding, coordinating recording schedules, and navigating the complexities of producing an album. But these hurdles only made the end result more rewarding. When I listen to the final product, I hear not just the music, but the story behind each piece and the journey that brought us here.

This project is meaningful to me because it embodies my deepest values as an artist: innovation, collaboration, and a commitment to championing new voices. I believe in the importance of giving living composers a platform, of fostering creative relationships that push boundaries, and of offering audiences something fresh and unexpected.
I’m hopeful that listeners will experience the same sense of excitement and discovery I felt throughout this journey. Whether you’re tuning in for the first time or putting the album on repeat, I hope this music inspires you as much as it has inspired me.

Details and streaming links on album website: https://www.navonarecords.com/catalog/nv6655/
Thank you for supporting new music and helping me share these incredible works with the world.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

I’m Eric Schultz—a musician and passionate advocate for contemporary music. My journey into this craft started with a love for classical music, but over time, I became captivated by the vast potential of new compositions. It felt like there was an entire world of music that hadn’t yet been explored, and I wanted to be a part of that discovery.

What sets me apart is my commitment to the new and the unknown. While many musicians focus on established works, I aim to expand the repertoire by embracing the creativity and diversity of living composers. My work is a blend of collaboration and innovation, where I build meaningful relationships with composers and performers to ensure that the music speaks as authentically as possible.

I believe in championing the voices of today, giving audiences the chance to hear something completely new and offering composers a platform to share their work with the world.

I’m most proud of the community I’ve built through this work. It’s been a long journey to bring my debut album to life, but every step has been meaningful. From collaborating with talented composers and performers to creating something that hasn’t been heard before, the process has been incredibly rewarding.

Thank you for being a part of this journey, and I look forward to sharing more music with you all in the future.

How did you build your audience on social media?

Building an audience on social media has been an evolving process for me, one that’s required time, experimentation, and a lot of learning along the way. When I first started out, I knew that having an online presence was important, but I wasn’t sure exactly how to approach it. Over the years, I’ve come to see social media as a powerful tool—not just for promoting my work, but for creating meaningful connections with people who share my passion for music and creativity.

In the beginning, like many others, I wasn’t sure what my social media “voice” should be. I knew I wanted to share my musical journey, but I didn’t want to feel like I was just promoting myself all the time. So, I started by focusing on authenticity. I shared not just the polished final products, but also the behind-the-scenes moments—practicing, collaborating with composers, even some of the struggles along the way. I think that honesty resonated with people because it showed the reality of the artistic process.

For anyone starting out, my first piece of advice is: be yourself and share your journey honestly. People can tell when something feels authentic, and that connection is much stronger than if you’re just posting for the sake of promotion.

What can society do to ensure an environment that’s helpful to artists and creatives?

Imagine a world where every voice, every story, every creative spark has the chance to shine. Where the arts aren’t reserved for the few but embraced by the many—a living, breathing reflection of the diversity of our experiences. That world is possible. To build a truly thriving creative ecosystem, we need to expand our vision of who can create, who can be heard, and who can be part of the conversation. The arts, after all, are for everyone.

The first step to supporting a thriving creative ecosystem is to ensure that the arts are accessible to everyone, regardless of their background or resources. Art shouldn’t be a privilege—it should be an open invitation to participate, to express, to transform. This means investing in programs that give all communities the chance to explore their creativity. It means supporting free or affordable arts education in schools, after-school programs, and community centers, so that young people—no matter where they come from—can experience the magic of creation.

Think of the untapped potential that lies in our neighborhoods, in voices we haven’t heard yet, in artists who just need the opportunity to flourish. If we make space for everyone in the arts, we’re not just supporting creativity—we’re expanding what creativity can be.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.ericschultz.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ericschultzclarinet
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ericschultzclarinet
• Twitter: https://x.com/clarinetprof
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@ericschultzclarinet
• Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@ericschultzclarinet