Episode 6: Music, Tenacity & Collaboration with Eric Salazar
Hosted by Katelyn Calhoun
In this episode of Crafted Connections, I’m joined by Eric Salazar—clarinet soloist, composer, teacher, and yes, the Clarinet Guy himself. Eric shares the real, raw story behind building his music career from the ground up: from being told he’d never make it as a professional musician to becoming a full-time artist whose work spans film scores, chamber ensembles, and entrepreneurial mentorship.
We talk about what it means to actually be a creative entrepreneur (hint: not everyone has to be the CEO), the power of persistence, and how collaboration has shaped his approach to both music and business. Plus, we get into the emotional science of music and why storytelling through sound hits us in ways we still don’t fully understand.
What You’ll Hear in This Episode:
🎵 How a childhood love of Tom & Jerry sparked Eric’s lifelong obsession with the clarinet
📚 The rocky (and inspiring) journey of getting into music school
🤝 Why collaboration—not competition—is at the heart of his business strategy
🎶 The hidden emotional power of music in storytelling
🧠 A fresh take on entrepreneurship (and why we need more project managers, not just visionaries)
🔥 The difference between experimentation and replication in creative work
You Can Find Eric:
🌐 Website: ericsalazarclarinet.com
📷 Instagram: @theclarinetguy
🎶 Follow his ensemble: @forwardmotionnewmusic
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📲 Instagram: @CraftedConnectionsPod
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Crafted Connections is lovingly produced by Calhoun Creative Consulting, a strategic storytelling firm helping people and brands tell stories that resonate.
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Keep creating. Keep connecting.
