Meet Rebecca Gladstone | Board Certified Music Therapist, Professional Musician, Cantorial Soloist, and entrepreneur

We had the good fortune of connecting with Rebecca Gladstone and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Rebecca, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
I started to feel really burnt out last November. Looking back now I can see this was because my career was lacking direction, it was not exactly what I wanted to be doing, and I was not being payed enough for my time. By creating my own business I am able to work with whoever I want to work with, charge what will enable me to do great work without burning out, make my own hours, and do things the way that I know to be most effective rather than the way someone else tells me it needs to be. I get to do the hands on clinical music therapy work, while also focusing on creative parts of business like creating my website, coming up with new ideas, managing social media, outreach, and selling my creative projects such as stickers and resources. I am currently working toward publishing a children’s book! Creating my own business has been exactly what I needed to stop burnout and make sure every day is exciting. I actually look forward to week days now!!

What should our readers know about your business?
My business, Gladly Music LLC, currently offers music therapy, music lessons, and live music entertainment. I also sell products such as music/music therapy stickers and music therapy resources on my website www.gladlymusic.com. I am expanding to begin offering consulting for schools or businesses that want to learn how to incorporate music into strategies to increase productivity, improve mood and wellness, and work toward whatever goals they may have. I am also now offering one-one music wellness coaching to people who want to deep dive into using music to improve their well-being. A fun part of my business is that I get to carry out creative projects. I am currently working on producing a course on music for wellness, authoring a Jewish children’s book, creating a podcast with a music therapy entrepreneur friend, and creating and selling music! I am constantly learning new skills, lessons, and strategies. The most important thing I have learned is to do what feels right to me and to change what feels wrong even when other people might tell me its the ‘right’ thing. I am learning about being confident, focusing on myself, and allowing myself to embrace my creative ideas. This allows me to be the best possible therapist and business owner.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
My friends and family are ALWAYS visiting from New York so this is an easy one! I always take them to the beach- my favorite is South Pointe Beach. I would then take them on a walk around Miami beach to try some fun bars and restaurants nearby. I live in Downtown Miami so I always love to show my visitors Bayside Market Place and Bayfront Park to see the pretty views. I also love to go to restaurants on the water. I most recently went to Rusty Pelican when my mom came to visit and we loved it!

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I am so grateful to the books that I have read in the last year that have really inspired my entrepreneurial journey and encouraged me to be confident and creative. Especially “You Are a Badass” and “You Are a Badass at Making Money” by Jen Sincero, and Infinite Possibilities by Mike Dooley.

I also want to thank my amazing mentors Cantor Rachelle Nelson and Cantor Debbi Ballard who are guiding me as I explore the next phase of my career as I study to become a Cantor. I am so excited to continue learning from these incredible women and I look forward to welcoming more Jewish songleading, teaching, and officiating life-cycle events such as weddings and b’nai mitzvahs into my career.

Website: www.gladlymusic.com

Instagram: @gladly.music

Facebook: Gladly Music

Youtube: @gladly.music

Image Credits
Michelle Nicole Photography, PBS Kids South Florida