Of course, one of the primary benefits of going to conservatory is that you will meet lots of professionals who can make those initial connections and recommendations for you, but that doesn't mean it's impossible to do on your own. If you can do that, while also being amicable, presentable, and showing up on time, you're already doing better than a lot of working musicians! Lol You have to be able to sell yourself, and then actually deliver what you promised. I haven't listed one of my profs as a reference on anything since before I graduated. A good demo/audition, or a glowing endorsement from a musician who is already established/respected, means a thousand times more than a music degree. It doesn't hurt to have a diploma with a good name on it, but ultimately it's about what you can do and who you know. I don't know that going to conservatory is strictly necessary for becoming a respected/professional pianist. You could be an amazing classical chamber pianist but not have the first clue how to read the lead sheet for a jazz standard, and vice-versa. It probably sounds like I'm arguing semantics but it's an important distinction to make because depending on what kind of work you're aiming for, necessary skills, expectations and goals can be dramatically different. Jazz and musical theater singers need accompanists too, so do ballet classes. "Accompaniment" can mean everything from plunking out hymns for an amateur congregational choir, to playing the Brahms violin sonatas with a pro string player in a recital hall. "Accompanist" is such a broad category, I know people use it in a general sense a lot but I wish they wouldn't.
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