If you are interested in building a career around your artistic talents, head to this section for inspiration on the working lives of prominent modern artists.

If selling and persuading are not your thing - it could be you’re more the expressive type. Musicians, composers, producers, actors, animators, graphic designers, dancers, filmmakers, sound designers and photographers tend to pursue careers marked by original expression and creativity. If you are interested in building a career around your artistic talents, head to this section for inspiration on the works and lives of prominent modern artists.

Rip, Mix, Burn, Tweet

M.I.A.

English Singer-Songwriter, Fashion Designer, Graphic Designer & Founder of N.E.E.T. Records

Maya Arulpragasam, otherwise known as M.I.A., is carving out a career that encompasses singing, songwriting, record producing, fashion design and graphic design. This Sri-Lankan born, English-raised poet is experiencing global influence across multiple genres. From incorporating huge African beats or booming Indian drums to Australian Aboriginal rappers in her music into her record label N.E.E.T., she transposes her passion for tribal cultures into political activism for Sri Lankan refugees and human rights in Liberia, all the while using the microblogging platform Twitter to share her spirit with the world.

The Mozart of Madras

A.R. Rahman

Indian Film Composer & Founder of KM Music Conservatory

A.R. Rahman is the man behind the frenetic score of Slumdog Millionaire. A godlike-figure among India’s youth, Rahman has brought Hindustani and Qawalli (traditional Sufi) music to the West through collaborations with Andrew Lloyd Webber, Baz Luhrmann and Michael Jackson. Having sold over 100 million records and 200 million cassettes, he is one of the world’s all-time top selling artists. A veritable Pied Piper, the ‘Mozart of Madras’ has the world tapping along to his tune.

Orchestrating a Movement

José Antonio Abreu

Venezuelan Pianist, Economist & Founder of El Sistema Children’s Orchestra

Music and economics are domains that evoke an unlikely partnership, yet in the highlands of tropical Venezuela, a PhD economist and pianist is orchestrating a musical movement known as El Sistema. In El Sistema, abandoned, poverty-stricken children unearth hidden musical talents and find economic salvation in Abreu’s world-renowned orchestra. This maestro has transformed the lives of tens of thousands of children, and El Sistema is expanding around the world.

Gustavo’s Symphony

Gustavo Dudamel

Venezuelan Conductor and Violinist, Principal Conductor of Gothenberg Symphony & Music Director of Los Angeles Philharmonic

At age 28, Gustavo Dudamel accepted a post to become the youngest ever Musical Director of the Los Angeles Philharmonic - a position typically reserved for esteemed conductors entering their twilight years. This Venezuelan conductor and violinist emerged from youth orchestra El Sistema (see above), where his natural talent was trained and has carried his conducting career through the Israel Philharmonic, Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra, Gothenberg Philharmonic and now the prestigious Los Angeles Philharmonic.

Envisioning Future Sounds

Raul Midón

American Singer-Songwriter & Guitarist

Born to an Argentinian folk-dancing father and an African American mother, Midón lost his eyesight at age 4, but nothing would prevent his musical career from flourishing. Performing alongside a calibre of artists including Shakira and Julio Iglesias, Midón mixes jazz, blues and R&B, shattering genres and creating new ones. He has gained prominence for his distinct voice, uncommon strumming style and vocal trumpet. Despite his blindness, Midón is a musical visionary forging new and innovative styles of music.