Patricia Lazzara: Full-Time Local Musician Who’s Making It Work

Ramsey, NJ: It’s the age-old question. Is it possible (or probable) to support yourself financially with a full-time career in music, the arts, or another “passion” without making it to fame and stardom? Do you really have to take up waiting tables or a “day job” or can a local musician really make it happen full time without living below the poverty line? Not having a “marketable skill” is a common fear of parents whose high school age sons and daughters announce that they want to pursue music as a career.

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But, Patricia Lazzara, flutist, is one local full-time musician who’s making it work. She has had a career full time in music for decades, supporting herself and her family without having to get a “day job”. And, she brings a glimmer of hope as well as some sound advice for young, local musicians who are looking to get started with their musical dreams and pay the bills at the same time:

  1. Integrity is key. You have to be who you say you are and do what you say you’re going to do. You must have a solid foundation of excellence in your art form, first. Then you must keep your promises to people.
  2. Be careful what you promise. Say “no” to opportunities that just don’t feel right and say a resounding “yes” to opportunities that make you light up inside. It sometimes doesn’t matter if you’re paid or not. Even now, after decades of playing and teaching music for a living, Lazzara will sometimes play a concert “pro bono” if it’s music she really wants to play, or if she will be making strategic connections.
  3. The show must go on. Be known as ultra-reliable. Even if you’re sick, you just don’t back out of an important rehearsal or Heaven forbid, out of a concert. Take medicine, do what you’ve got to do and get to the gig.
  4. Network, network, network. Always have business cards on you and be a good, friendly person everywhere you go. Be interested in others and what they are up to in their lives and careers. Listen to people genuinely, and you never know where the next opportunity will be.
  5. Stay positive. Don’t let negativity get you down. Work on yourself, read self-improvement and motivational books, attend seminars, work with a life coach. It’s too easy to get caught up in a negative mindset or absorb negative energy from other people’s mindsets. So, keeping your own spirits up is vital.
  6. Exude confidence with humility and honesty. People respond when you have faith in yourself and your ability to come through for them. Speak well of yourself and how you’ll be able to help. No need to go overboard and brag to the point of making the other person’s eyes roll in the back of their head. Confident people are sure of themselves, work hard at their craft and perform well. Period. No need to exaggerate anything including accomplishments or credentials. Be yourself, hold your head high and that’s enough.
  7. Don’t be afraid to charge what you’re worth. Be fair, but if you’re an accomplished musician, be careful not to undercut other’s prices just to get a gig or a student. You’ll exhaust yourself and that diminishes your ability to be helpful in the world.​

When Lazzara was in High School, she experienced the ignorance, fear and condescension adults often have with kids who “keep their head in the clouds” and want to pursue their passion in music. Her Geometry teacher once told her parents, “All Patty wants to do is tootle on her flute!” Truth be told, the teacher was correct, but the tone, context and words he used implied that Lazzara had a silly little hobby that she refused to put down for math class. It’s common knowledge nowadays that math and language arts are most often seen as “more important” than the arts as per the emphasis on testing in these subjects. However, the general demeaning of the arts in American school systems is nothing new, as Lazzara’s High School math teacher experience demonstrates.


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Lazzara stayed strong and true to her heart from high school onward.  She knew from the very beginning of her flute experience that this would be her life’s work.  Many people struggle with their purpose, but Patty is very fortunate in that she knew what she wanted to do in her life very early on.  

 What are the nuts and bolts of how she makes a living in music full time? 

  1. Teaching private students: Lazzara rents a studio space in Ramsey, NJ. She has a student base of over 30 men, women and children who take lessons in the daytime, after school and early evening. She also coaches the Flute Ensemble at Ridgewood HS. She stops teaching purposely at 7:00pm on weekday evenings to make time for performances, family and self-care
  2. Performing: In addition to a full teaching schedule, Patty is a very active performer and is always playing a solo recital, an orchestra gig or a wedding/funeral.  She will be traveling to Rome, Italy again for a recital in February and will again be performing at the Assisi Performing Arts Festival next summer in addition to many performances all over the area.   How did she get the gigs? From getting out there and networking, by developing a reputation for integrity and by being a good, friendly person to work with. 
  3. Recordings: Lazzara has made 9 albums including her latest called “Radiance” which features music written by current composers who are also “thriving in the music scene and making it work.”  She is excited to be recording two more albums in the next few months.

Listen to Patricia Lazzara’s recordings in her latest CD here!

For more information on Ms. Lazzara’s teaching, performing and recordings check out her website at www.patricialazzaraflutist.com