We recently connected with Raina Murnak and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Raina, thanks for joining us today. What’s been the most meaningful project you’ve worked on?

One of my most meaningful projects is something I’m currently working on which is a book called Positive Psychology for Music Professionals- Character Strengths. This was borne of a wonderful relationship and collaboration with psychologist Dr. Nancy Kirsner and was the result of my own artistic soul searching. As a college professor and musician, I have often coached my students (and myself!) in elements of their own worth and uniqueness. Discovering that there was a whole field with very specific science and language to support that which I was just intuitively ‘doing’ was a game changer for me! First discovering my own character strengths, I was able to ‘double down’ on my own uniqueness and from that moment on, my career blossomed in every which way. It was like suddenly there were no more self-limitations, second guesses or apologies for me being exactly who I am. This was so transformational, it led me on a journey to help as many students and colleagues as I could and the book idea was born! Nancy and I have taken the work we have done with musicians and made a practical guide through character strengths. It will be published in the next year by Routledge.

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 am a professor at the University of Miami’s Frost School of Music and the Director of the Contemporary/Popular voice program. For years, I have developed innovative performance and music theory curricula and have been at the forefront of online educaiton. My superpower however is unlocking musicians- I mean that in every way: physically, emotionally, spiritually. As an empathic teacher, I quite literally ‘feel’ my students and can very quickly make suggestions and corrections that are immediately game-changing. I have worked with singers and students for over 20 years on voice, music theory, song writing, stage presence, choreography, and creative direction. I am brought into live and studio scenarios to help transform performances. I pride myself on bringing great energy into a room and I believe it is important to pay a lot of attention to this aspect of working on any project. I bring joy and color to all I do as I believe it is so important to keep a sense of the whimsical in the every day.

What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?

I had to unlearn that ‘women must do everything twice as good for half the pay’ or the Ginger Rogers adage ‘backwards and in heels’. While that may be true, I believe it is damaging to pass that on or take it in as gospel. This is exactly the kind of thinking that perpetuates inequality in the workplace. I didn’t realize how drilled in this was until I started paying attention to ways my female colleagues were equivocating unfair situations with their language of resignation. They didn’t expect things to be different so they didn’t insist upon it. I am inspired by younger generations of women who come to this fight without the baggage of the past and do not hang these damaging sayings their hearts.

What do you think is the goal or mission that drives your creative journey?

I recently wrote and the music for and performed in musical that had an off-Broadway reading. I last left my dreams of doing this kind of thing on the doorstep of age seventeen, when I didn’t get into my dream schools for musical theater. So many years later, to have this dormant dream awake reminds me that everything in our hearts and souls is valid- every yearning, every day dream, every vision of yourself is achievable. The journey almost never looks how you think it will but with hard and continuous work, an unstoppable spirit, and the courage to connect with others, you can put your dreams on the map. My mission is to fully realize all of the beautiful things I see for myself as a creative. I want to leave behind beautiful music, art, poetry, performances, and wisdom.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.rainamurnak.com
• Instagram: www.rainasiforbeauty
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/raina.murnak
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/raina-murnak-6361a2130
• Youtube: www.youtube.com/rainamode and www.youtube.com/rainastage

Image Credits
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