Calling All Independent Musicians Who Know They Deserve Better
Reclaim Your Artistry.
What if you could empower yourself with a holistic approach to your career with the clarity, confidence, and control to succeed as an independent musician on your own terms?
CIAR: The Complete Independent Artist Roadmap.
In a crowded sea of information, C.I.A.R. is your guide.
Designed for the serious musician looking for timeless solutions.
Featured in:
Are you as lost as most musicians are?
❌ You've been pouring your heart at gigs and rehearsals for very little in return.
❌ You want to immerse yourself in creativity but feel exhausted in the hustle to make ends meet.
❌ You want to be 'successful', but the industry feels demoralising.
❌ Your 'collaborations' don't deliver what they promise, leaving you feeling exploited.
❌ Communication feels frustrating: nobody 'sees' you.
❌ You have invested in your music-education to get better at your art but are clueless what to do next.
❌ You keep doom-scrolling social media as your peers highlights keep amplifying your self-doubt.
❌ Meanwhile, your physical and mental health is being collateral damage to all of the above.
And start taking control of your music career!
This is where you ask yourself..
'will this course really work for me?
Can I truly succeed as an independent artist if I do it?'
So here's the truth: CIAR is not a magic pill.
But it's a proven roadmap.
It's built on the real-world experiences of successful, active independent musicians who have faced the same doubts and challenges you have.
You are not alone....
Unlike other courses though, it starts with the one theme musicians need to master before anything else.
Inner Work!
Learning to master your inner lens, is the only way you will ever actually make your vision a reality.
You want to identify the blindspots that stand between you and your dreams,
and define success on your own terms.
(Unless you're looking to be a viral sensation nobody remembers, or a generic number churning out fish-food for the algorithms whim).
If you are anything like me, these are some of your non-negotiables.
If you are anything like me, these are some of your
non-negotiables.
You won't abandon your dream
You have devoted time and resources to honing your art. And have the dedication you need to make your dreams come true.
You hate the 'Helpless Artist' Cliche.
You don't buy the stereotypes about artists being victims unable to take care of themselves. Your resourcefulness is a super-power.
Your integrity is not for sale.
Spammy marketing tactics and social media gimmicks don't align with your values. You seek genuine engagement with your audience.
Self-care is
Priority 1.
Neglecting your health in the name of martyrdom is not your idea of a musicians life.
You want to give yourself the attention you deserve.
Otherwise put, you won't settle for a life of mediocrity and regret, but also want to build something sustainable that represents you authentically!
And you keep wondering if you're the only one who feels that way. Right?
Well, you're not!
I agree with you.
And so do all the clients & students I work with.
Hi, my name is T.L.
Im an Independent Musician & Educator based out of Berlin and Asia.
When I was 17, I asked my mentor what I needed to do to be a professional musician.
All he gave me was this:
'No matter what'
So I did that.
And over the next 20 years, I played the quintessential immigrant, took off with 2 suitcases to a new country,
ate into my mum's tiny college fund to invest in conservatory education, learned a new language, dealt with toxic pedagogy that almost broke me and navigated beaureaucracy between countries to establish my self as an internationally active artist and educator.
All while healing my body and mind from morbid obesity, heart disease, eating disorders and critical mental health that almost killed me as a teenager.
Sound unreal? It does to me too, even today.
My 'why'
Hi, my name is T.L.
Im an Independent Musician & Educator based out of Berlin and Asia.
When I was 17, I asked my mentor what I needed to do to be a professional musician.
All he gave me was this:
'No matter what'
So I did that.
And over the next 20 years, I played the quintessential immigrant, took off with 2 suitcases to a new country,
ate into my mum's tiny college fund to invest in conservatory education, learned a new language, dealt with toxic pedagogy that almost broke me and navigated beaureaucracy between countries to establish my self as an internationally active artist and educator.
All while healing my body and mind from morbid obesity, heart disease, eating disorders and critical mental health that almost killed me as a teenager.
Sound unreal? It does to me too, even today.
Left: me at 21: 110 Kgs, Hypertensive, Depressed, critical mental health, eating disorder,NDE due to heart disease, can't walk up stairs without gasping.
Right: My 40th birthday. Professional musician, reclaimed my health sans any surgery or meds, working on my own terms for 20+ years internationally.
Music saved my life. Healed me. That's my reality.
It's not a 'theory'.
I have experienced its power to heal. I would not have been alive without it.
So making helping my co-practitioners tune into this power is a calling.
I used to be a tenured music-educator & coach for the German government.
But I wanted to educate in a way accessible to more people in the world.
Spend my time and energy in helping people like you.
No matter where you are.
Music saved me.
Healed me.
That's my reality.
It's not a 'theory'.
It was the guiding light that gave me hope and helped me crack the code between
→ Mindset
→Physical Health
→ True Success.
So making helping my co-practitioners tune into this power is a calling.
I used to be a tenured music-educator for the German government.
Until I realized that education needs to be accessible to more people in the world.
So now, I spend my time and energy in helping people like you.
No matter where you are.
If you are here, it's because you care deeply about making an impact with your art but are...
❌ Unsure where to start.
❌ Struggling to define your unique artist identity and brand.
❌ Neglecting your self-care amidst the chaos of the music industry.
❌ Dealing with self-doubt about achieving 'success' as a musician.
❌ Feeling overwhelmed by the complexities of PR and marketing.
❌ Yearning for meaningful collaborations and connections.
❌ Seeking balance between your music career and personal well-being.
❌ Facing challenges in monetizing your music.
Sound familiar?
You're in the right place!
I've gone through a lot of heartbreak and detours on my musical journey.
The good news?
You don't have to.
Let my framework help you figure out what is holding you back.
CIAR: The Complete Independent Artist Roadmap
→ Learn to define 'Success' on your own terms.
→ Learn the timeless fundamentals of being an 'artist'.
→ Build your artist brand authentically.
→ Build relationships with your ideal collaborators and partners.
→ Strengthen your stage presence and performance skills.
→ Integrate self-care into your artist-lifestyle.
Build a holistic work-life system where your goals manifest as a natural
side-effect of the process!
This Could Be Your Future Music Career
That's me onstage here at one of Europes's
most respected Jazz festivals.
I ''made it''.
I believe you can too.
✔️ You've crafted an authentic artist identity that resonates with your audience.
✔️ You're constantly building genuine and meaningful connections with collaborators/fans.
✔️ You've achieved financial stability through diverse revenue streams.
✔️ You're maintaining balance and wellness as you pursue and practice your art.
✔️ You're navigating PR and Marketing with confidence and authenticity.
✔️ You know exactly what you're doing, and more importantly, 'why'!
This Could Be Your Future Music Career
✔️ You've crafted an authentic artist identity that resonates with your audience.
✔️ You're constantly building genuine and meaningful connections with collaborators/fans.
✔️ You've achieved financial stability through diverse revenue streams.
✔️ You're maintaining balance and wellness as you pursue and practice your art.
✔️ You're navigating PR and Marketing with confidence and authenticity.
✔️ You know exactly what you're doing, and more importantly, 'why'!
That's me onstage at one of Europes's
historical jazz festivals.
I ''made it''.
I believe you can too.
You can make all of this happen!
Except, nobody's telling you how.
Cos' right now, it's
''Business Coaches 🤑🧑💼''
vs
''Music Teachers 🎹 👨🏻🏫''
out there.
And they seem to live in different worlds .
This is where C.I.A.R. comes in.
This isn't just another 'music course'.
It's your timeless guide to clarity, confidence, and control in your music career.
Based on emprical research and collaboration with artists just like you, and my own experiences as an independent artist for
25 years.
Imagine the freedom of expressing your authentic voice, the confidence to navigate the industry, and the control to turn your passion into a sustainable livelihood.
With CIAR, you get research-based tools to empowerment, and define success on your terms, closing the gap between your dreams and reality.
The Course Breakdown
Module 1: Definitions
Most artists are just swallowing society's definitions without questioning them.
This research-based module helps you define your own.
You will:
✔️ Do a deep dive on 'trends'.
✔️ Realise how you've been brainwashed.
✔️ Build your own definitions.
Module 2: Mindset
Not just a 'buzzword'. This actually makes or breaks a career.
Now you don't have to guess what it means for a musician anymore.
This module will explain the exact implications of the ideal mindset in the musicians context.
You will understand:
✔️ The Performance Mindset.
✔️ The 'Artist-preneur' Mindset.
✔️ The PR Mindset.
Module 3: Creativity
Musicians depend on being creative. But have vague concepts on what that even means!
This module gives you tools to build a system to rely upon.
Get clear on how to be creative consistently.
You will learn to:
✔️ Use a time-tested framework for being creative.
✔️ Build a functional workflow.
✔️ Learn to align your profile with your art.
Module 4: Collaboration
Have you ever really asked what 'collaboration' means? Who are your collaborators? Can you choose? How good a collaborator are you?
This module explains all of this.
It explains how you're collaborating right now without even realising it.
And how to be the best collaborator yourself.
You will understand:
✔️ Legalities
✔️ Profiling your Collaborator
✔️ Learn professional communication skills.
Module 5: Performance
You will understand:
✔️ Pre-performance.
✔️ Performance Etiquette.
✔️ Performance Artistry
Module 6: Self-Care
Self-care has been one of the most underrated topics for artists in history.
This module will help you build your own self-care routines. And explain how it co-relates to your artistic practice.
You will understand:
✔️ Physical Health for the artist.
✔️ Mental Health for the artist.
✔️ Spritual Health for the artist.
Bonuses
Worksheets
Curated assignments. You're not just studying, but actually doing the work with this course! With actionable steps to implement.
Ask questions on discussion panel on each module and get my personalised replies with 72 hours. It's like having me as your
personal coach.
What you're getting, are a stack of interlinked Masterclasses to serve you for years to come.
✔️ Unpacking Mindset (99,00€ Value).
✔️ Unpacking Creativity (99,00€ Value).
✔️ Understanding Collaboration (99,00€ Value).
✔️ Understanding Performance (99,00€ Value).
✔️ Unpacking Self-Care (99,00€ Value).
✔️ Additional Bonus 1: Worksheets for implementation. (99,00€ Value)
✔️ Addtional Bonus 2: Personalized feedback to your questions. (99,00€ Value)
TOTAL VALUE:
7̶9̶2̶,0̶0̶ €
MY OFFER TO YOU:
297,00 €
Not Just Another 'Online Course'
You get
✔️Customizable strategies.
✔️Worksheets to implement your strategy.
✔️ Constant support throughout.
How is CIAR different from other courses out there?
1. Timeless Tools.
This course is meant to last you decades. Not weeks or months.
2.Inner Work.
Nobody's talking about the first step!
Your career is not about jumping hoops through music-industry trends.
It's about digging deeper to define your needs and goals first.
And align your career to those.
C.I.A.R shows you how to choose yourself first, not goldfish industry trends.
3. Research-based implementation.
I have been using these strategies with my clients and students for decades now. This is not overnight 'get-rich' fad. It shows you what you need to work on, how to go about it, and most importantly, why!
4. Tried and tested methodolgies.
These are concepts I have used with students, clients and workshop participants for years at some of the most prestigious institutes around the world. And it's worked for them already!
COLLABORATORS IN EDUCATION: SOME PEOPLE I HAVE WORKED WITH
What this will do for you:
✔️ Be your guide to clarity, confidence, and control in your music career for years to come.
✔️ Give you the the freedom to find and express your authentic voice.
✔️ Give you the confidence to navigate the music industry.
✔️ Give you the control to turn your passion into profession.
Testimonials
'Fantastic content. I just started the first module on the C.I.A.R. course--the words are spot on and speak to my heart. This has gotten me to dig deep into themes that I really needed to for a while. I've done a lot of work on myself but T.L.'s insights and questions bring a whole new dimension to it all with an additional depth and wisdom. It's given me a major boost in my artistic practice.'
Johannes Stange
Award-winning Jazz Trumpeter & Composer.
Mannheim, Germany.
This is sooo beautiful!! Felt the authenticity and honesty of every word you spoke!! Thank you TL for making this self-paced course. The sessions are soooo sooo good !! I'm really enjoying it so much and I value every bit of research, energy and personal touch you have put into this!!
Sharanya Natrajan
Studio/Live Vocalist & Vocal-coach.
Mumbai, India.
'..a lot of space cleared up as I understood where to channel my efforts, and what is not worth wasting energy on.'
Tim Sensbach
Studio Musician/Artist & Producer.
Berlin, Germany.
'..zeroed in on the themes I was struggling with and came up with ways in which I could overcome them. Blockages cleared.. and a lot of misnomers I had used to define myself were debunked'.
Madhura Talluri
Studio/Live Vocalist & Singer-Songwriter. Music-therapist.
Chennai, India. (A.R, Rahman/Berklee Ensemble)
Something that really resonated with me strongly was how the interconnections between apparently separate topics like 'self-care', 'being authentic', 'finding your core', 'the why' or even spiritual aspects of music were addressed during the course. And all of it in context to the artists practice.
Ferdinand Kavall
Award-winning Producer & Composer.
Berlin, Germany.
'This is so good, unlike any music education platform I've ever tried. The anxiety sublimes within 5 minutes of the first video'.
Aakarsh Sharma
Multi-Instrumentalist.Audio Engineer. Studio Musician.
Chennai, India.
My biggest challenges were learning to say 'no' and prioritising my mental health. We discussed mindset, getting over writers block, strategies to work with fellow artists and collaborators, performance etiquette and most importantly, self-care.'...gave my eye-opening views that helped improve my overall personality as a musician.'
Sarah Shipchandler
Singer-Songwriter/Producer
Pune, India.
ABHAY JODHPURKAR
CELEBRITY STUDIO VOCALIST /ARTIST
(MUMBAI, INDIA)
AASHIMA MAHAJAN
MULTI-DICIPLINARY ARTIST
(MUMBAI, INDIA)
Benny Rietveld
Bassist/Composer
(Santana band/Miles Davis/Sheila E)
ROLLING STONE INDIA
READ THE ARTICLE HERE
Your Investment Options
Boutique Independent Artist Path
Self-paced course with assignments, perfect for independent musicians to develop their skills at their own pace.
Pay in Full
297.00€
1 x Payment
- 1 payment
- 1 user
- Lifetime Access to course material
- Access Course Forum Discussion
Pay in 2 instalments
149.99€
2 x Instalments
- 2 monthly payments
- 1 user
- Lifetime Access to course material
- Access Course Forum Discussion
Pay in 3 instalments
109.99€
3 x Instalments
- 3 monthly payments
- 1 user
- Access to all course material
- Access Course Forum Discussion
Still not within your budget? Consider the Membership-to-own option.
12 monthly payments of 30.00 €
But you want more?
Platinum Artist Mentorship Plan
Includes 2 x 60-min 1-on-1 coaching sessions/ month for an entire year, providing comprehensive support and personalized guidance.
Pay in Full
3997.00€
1 x Payment
- 12 months of personal mentorship
- 1 user
- Lifetime Access to course material
- 2 x 1-on-1 coaching sessions
Pay in 2 instalments
1999.00€
2 x Instalments
- 12 months of personal mentorship
- 1 user
- Lifetime Access to course material
- 2 x 1-on-1 coaching sessions
Pay in 3 instalments
1333.00€
3 x Instalments
- 12 months of personal mentorship
- 1 user
- Access to all course material
- 2 x 1-on-1 coaching sessions
Still not within your budget? Consider the Membership-to-own option.
12 monthly payments of 334.00 €
What happens once you purchase:
Once you join you'll get:
✔️ Access to Support & Course Discussion.
✔️ Personal interaction with me.
✔️ Lifetime Access to all course material.
✔️ Bonus worksheets and Discussion on Course Q & A
Frequently Asked Questions
Is this course entirely online?
Yes! This course is completely online, allowing you to study from any location around the globe
What credentials does the coach have?
I have a background in Jazz, with a Conservatory Diploma in Jazz Piano Performance, a Bachelor's Degree in Music Production and Arrangement from the Pop Akadmie BW, Germany, and a Master's Degree in Popular Music Performance from the London College of Music. I also have additional certifications in Psychotherapy, Nutrition and Physical Education.
Does this course come with a community?
This course is a very small group to ensure quality. The community feature is currently limited to Q & A relevant to the course material only, which will be answered directly by T.L.
Can I stack lessons/packages/plans on top of this course?
This is one of the best courses to start with for those who can't afford 1 on 1 coaching with me. Get in touch with T.L. directly for enquiries if 1 on 1 customized, indivdual coaching is what you are looking for.
What will you walk away with?
This is how you will feel when you're done with CIAR!
✔️ Confidence in your path: Navigate the complexities of the music industry with assurance and purpose.
✔️ Understand Connection: Learn to build meaningful relationships with like-minded musicians and collaborators.
✔️ Understand PR and audience-nurturing: Promote your music authentically and reach your ideal audience.
✔️ A balanced approach: Maintain your well-being while pursuing your music career.
✔️ Understand monetization: Untangle the 'mystery' myths surrounding a musicians financial identity.
Let's get you from 'Helpless Starving Artist'
To
'Empowered Independent Artist' .
Save Time, Energy & Well-Being: Your Most Precious Resources.
Worried About the Investment?
Then consider the cost of continued struggle and missed opportunities.
CIAR is an investment in your future, designed to save you time, effort, and the frustration of trying to figure it all out on your own and.
You could either:
Keep scrolling social media and experimenting with random free tutorials until you're exhausted, and back to square one, feeling the same frustrations and setbacks.
or
Finally make a commitment and get this thing done. Take the first step towards owning your music career.
With proven, research-based methods.
The choice is yours.
Case Study: Meet Katja McKinlay
I was struggling with taking myself seriously as an artist.
Feeling frustrated with my lack of progress.
T.L. helped me take the pressure of myself and navigate the elusive expectations from society and the music industry. I feel much more comfortable within myself now as a singer and musician, and my respect for my individual journey has developed considerably.
T.L. has also helped me see that I am not alone with my struggles, which has felt like a LOT of weight lifted! I had my first gig in years during my mentoring with T.L.. I went in with such excited confidence.
But the best part was I was able to celebrate my achievement after the performance instead of criticising myself, which is HUGE.
I felt supported, seen, encouraged, guided, expanded and beautifully taught throughout the sessions.
T.L. has a wonderfully compassionate demeanour and alongside his wisdom and knowledge of the music industry. I thoroughly enjoy his ability to mix practical action steps with philosophical and emotional discussions.
I really benefitted from the holistic style, and can honestly say his mentorship is exactly what I needed to grow as an artist.
Thanks T.L.!
Katja McKinlay (UK)
Independent Singer-Songwriter/Performer
Pay in Full
297.00€
1 x Payment
- 1 payment
- 1 user
- Lifetime Access to course material
- Access Course Forum Discussion
Pay in 2 instalments
149.99€
2 x Payments
- 2 monthly payments.
- 1 user
- Lifetime Access to course material
- Access Course Forum Discussion
Pay in 3 instalments
109.99€
3 x Payments
- 3 monthly payments.
- 1 user
- Access to all course material
- Access Course Forum Discussion
I am here to support you.
This course is my life's work, and I am confident it has the power to transform your life.
If for any reason you finish it and are not satisfied, I offer a full refund within 30 days.
This is for you if...
✔️ You are ready to define and communicate your unique artist identity authentically.
✔️ You're committed to balancing your music career with personal well-being and self-care.
✔️ You're serious about building meaningful connections with your collaborators and audiences.
This is NOT for you if...
❌ You're not willing to invest into developing your career.
❌ You're satisfied with your current progress and don't feel the need for change.
❌ You're not open to being coachable and receiving feedback to grow.
Final Call
Real Talk
A lot of times, we often think of 'doing something' as risky.
The truth is, it's not doing something which is risky.
It's not doing something which really kills our dreams.
The embryo of regret.
If you don't do this now, what you risk is far greater than taking a chance.
You risk continuing to feel overwhelmed, stuck, and frustrated in your music career.
Chances are if you could have really done this completely on your own already, you wouldn't be here.
So my question to you is: how much more time do you think you can afford to lose before you start doing the real work?
P.S. Don’t forget that when you join C.I.A.R you are joining risk-free. You have an entire 30 days to do the course, study the material, go through the work-sheets and see if you feel a shift in your mindset.
I know how intimidating it can be when we’re trying something new. A career in music never came with the kind of 'guarantees' a lot of other professions do. So it can feel overwhelming to gauge. Especially on those bad days.
All I can tell you that for what it counts, I went from a guy who had given up hope on life entirely, to someone who not only found healing in music, but also built a sustainable living pursuing it.
The journey to get there came with some of the darkest and fearsome moments on my life. And I promised myself if I made it to the other side, I would do what I can to help others do the same.
Without the unnecessary pain, heartbreak and fear.
The beauty of C.I.A.R. is that you get complete, holistic system that interconnects all the aspects of being a musician that can threaten to confuse and overwhelm us.
The secrets I share are things you can implement in your own time, fine-tune, deepen and master for the rest of your life.
This is not the latest ‘music-industry’ trend.
It’s that part of being an artist that comes first before we even engage with the external world. The most important part that nobody is talking about.
I learned all of this the hard way. But you don’t have to.
Your future self is thanking you right now for being here.
Take that next step.
Invest in yourself!
Get coached in something that is proven to make a difference.
And build your career based on your definition of success, and your own terms. Not someone else's.
May the journey be a healing one.
I hope to welcome you inside C.I.A.R soon.
T.L.