Principal Clarinet of Norway’s Bergen Philharmonic, Andrea Scaffardi, is redefining what it means to lead a career that bridges artistry, education, and entrepreneurship.
Through The Practice Club and The Long Game, Scaffardi helps musicians decode the habits and mindsets that power a sustainable life in music.
What has serving as Principal Clarinet of the Bergen Philharmonic taught you about leadership?
The better you listen, the less leadership anyone needs. Leadership in a section is about listening. Playing is the easy part. Never breaking the flow is the art.
You created The Practice Club as a place where musicians think out loud. What motivated you to launch it?
I built The Practice Club because I wanted to create the space I wish I’d had. Most of us learn to play without ever learning how to practice. Somehow, you’re just expected to figure it out. The conversations within The Practice Club teach me that awareness is half the practice.
The Long Game is your creation. What need does it address for musicians?
We’re raised on the myth that if you play well, one day you’ll be noticed. Good luck. There are plenty of great players, and the industry still runs on scarcity. I created The Long Game to challenge the idea that auditions and competitions are the only approved paths.
“Excellence has never been the bottleneck.”
How do you guide your choices as an artist and entrepreneur?
Since I became a father, it all feels like a game. I follow my curiosity, and each project ends up strengthening the others.
What advice would you give your younger self about a life in music?
Trust that the answers are already within you. Look around and ask for feedback, but don’t lose sight of your own instinctsYou just have to allow yourself to make thousands of mistakes.
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