We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Kaitlin Booth. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Kaitlin below.

Kaitlin, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Are you happy as a creative professional? Do you sometimes wonder what it would be like to work for someone else?

I am happy working as a musician, but getting here wasn’t a straight path. There have been many moments when I questioned whether or not I was on the right track. After I graduated with my Bachelor’s degree from UVU, I decided to try exploring other (more profitable and stable) career options. Working as a freelance musician is incredibly rewarding, but it’s also uncertain. One month you’re overwhelmed with gigs, and the next, you’re wondering where the next paycheck is going to come from.

For a year, I worked in marketing, thinking maybe a “regular” desk job would provide me with more stability and structure. It was a safe space, with set hours, a consistent income, and a nice sit-stand desk. For a while, I convinced myself it could work long-term. I enjoyed having benefits and being done after 5 PM every day. But every day, there was this itch I couldn’t scratch—the feeling that I was missing something and giving up on a big part of myself. There’s a unique energy in pursuing the arts, something that drives you even in the uncertain, feast-or-famine phases.

I remember one particular moment when I was sitting at my desk staring at marketing plans and Google Ads accounts. I turned on a classical music playlist on Spotify and felt a huge sense of regret that I wasn’t practicing or performing anymore. It hit me how much I missed having a connection to music. I started thinking, “I love my job, my company, and the things I’m learning in this season… but is this really what I want to do every day for the rest of my life?”

I’m grateful for that detour in my journey because it taught me a lot of important skills, and also gave me some much-needed clarity and confidence. It confirmed that working in music is exactly where I want to be!

Kaitlin, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

Yes, hi! I’m Kaitlin Booth, a cellist, teacher, and performer with a deep love for music and the arts. My journey into the music world started when I was 11, and over the years, I’ve had the honor of studying with some of the most incredible cellists and mentors, like Nicole Pinnell, Cheung Chau, Walter Haman, Pegsoon Whang, and John Eckstein. My early experiences in orchestras and masterclasses with world-class musicians helped me fall in love with the instrument, and that passion has driven me throughout my career.

As a full-time working musician, I offer a variety of services. I teach cello to students of all ages through my studio, Thrive Music Studio. Watching students develop their skills and musical expression is so fulfilling—whether it’s a young beginner learning their first notes or an advanced player getting ready for college auditions and polishing their technique. I also perform as a soloist, chamber musician, and multi-style cellist, and I’ve had the privilege of performing in venues across the U.S. and internationally.

My philosophy as a musician and studio owner is that it’s important to meet students and audiences where they are. In my studio, I provide a structured but personalized path, helping each person to grow in confidence and skill in a way that’s fun and inspiring. In terms of performance, I thrive on versatility in repertoire and genre—I love shifting between classical, contemporary, and multi-style genres, which has allowed me to collaborate on projects ranging from classical recitals and concerto performances to recording sessions with popular artists.

One of the things I’m most proud of is my recent performance of the Schumann Cello Concerto with the Sinfonietta Vidin in Bulgaria. I was able to fly out to Eastern Europe this past July to make my international solo debut and connect with a global audience. I was deeply proud of the opportunity I had to visit a foreign country (I’d never been to Bulgaria before!), present a wonderful piece of music, and collaborate with such fantastic musicians.

I’m also thrilled about the work I do with Artiva Strings, the string quartet I founded in 2021, which has recently become part of WIPA Utah Chapter for wedding industry professionals. My quartet and I specialize in creating beautiful, tailored performances for weddings and events, and have had a lot of fun performing in venues all across the state of Utah. Last year, we even won an award from Utah Valley University for our business innovation and expertise!

For anyone considering working with me—whether you’re a student, a fellow artist, or someone looking for music for a special event—I want you to know that my approach is all about creating connections. Music has the power to tell stories, evoke emotion, and bring people together, and that’s what I’m all about.

How can we best help foster a strong, supportive environment for artists and creatives?

In my view, one of the best ways we can support a thriving creative ecosystem is by valuing and investing in the arts as an essential part of our educational foundation. Rather than viewing the arts as mere entertainment or luxury, we can view them as opportunities to learn more about ourselves and the people around us. This all starts with arts education—ensuring access to creative programs in schools and communities so that future generations can develop their talents from an early age. Public funding for the arts, grants, and scholarships can also provide much-needed financial support for college students, allowing them to focus on their work rather than constantly worrying about how to sustain their careers. Additionally, fostering more opportunities for collaboration between artists and local businesses, educational institutions, and community organizations can strengthen the role of art in everyday life, making it more accessible and appreciated.

On an individual level, we can all support artists by showing up—attending their performances, exhibitions, and workshops, purchasing work from local creatives, and spreading the word about the importance of art and music. Speaking from experience, I know that engaging with musicians directly—whether by learning more about their work or hiring them for special projects—can go a long way in building a vibrant creative ecosystem. When artists feel valued and supported, they are empowered to take risks, push boundaries, and create work that enriches culture for everyone.

Learning and unlearning are both critical parts of growth – can you share a story of a time when you had to unlearn a lesson?

One lesson I had to unlearn in my early years as a cellist was the idea that success was defined by external validation—things like winning awards, receiving praise, or getting recognition from others. For a long time, I believed that if I wasn’t constantly being validated by others, I wasn’t truly succeeding. This mindset crept in especially during my early years of studying music in college, where performing difficult recitals, winning competitions, and receiving praise for practicing 6 hours per day seemed to be the main markers of success.

Over the years, I have participated in many competitions that I ultimately didn’t win. It is hard working toward something for so long, only to get the news that you won’t be advancing on to the final round. There have been times I’ve questioned my abilities, comparing myself to others and thinking there’d never be a place for me in this industry. I used to think that I might’ve been successful if I’d started playing cello when I was 3 years old, like everyone else—but that wasn’t my story, and now my chances at becoming a professional musician were over.

Thankfully, I had lots of people along the way who encouraged and believed in me. Plus, I could never quite get over the thrill of learning and performing cool new pieces of music…

Today, I’m not just doing this job for applause or a gold medal—I’m doing it because I love it! There is so much joy in the creative process and the personal fulfillment that comes with it. I’ve learned that true success is measured by my growth, passion, and connection to my work—not just by external markers or recognition.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.artivastrings.com; www.thrivemusic.co; www.kaitlinboothcello.com
• Instagram: @artivastrings @thrivemusic.co
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kaitlin-booth-569973216/