Preparing for a 'Sustainable Career in the Arts'

Marlia Nash ’24, a trombone performance major with a minor in arts leadership, is taking advantage of multiple opportunities at UMD.

By Jessica Weiss ’05

For sophomore Marlia Nash ’24, preparing for life as a musician means far more than honing her playing as a trombonist. As a student at the University of Maryland’s School of Music (SOM), she’s also sharpening skills in writing, leadership, entrepreneurship, advocacy and more.

Nash, a trombone performance major with a minor in arts leadership, writes about music and culture for the Diamondback, the independent student-run newspaper for the university. She’s a marketing intern at the Kennedy Center. And she plays in the UMD Wind Ensemble and a brass quintet. 

“I’m learning there are many ways to make a sustainable career in the arts,” said Nash. “Arts careers usually aren’t just one thing.”

Nash grew up as a “military kid,” never staying too long in a single place. When she took up the trombone in middle school, it quickly became a source of stability and a vehicle to build community. Plus, she found she was really good at it. During high school in Howard County, Maryland, she was part of the marching band and all-county orchestra, and took on leadership roles, such as president of her music honors society. The realization that most other low brass instrument players (trombone, euphonium and baritone horn, and tuba) were males only fueled her desire to improve as a musician.

Drawn to SOM’s “very talented faculty,” she entered the university in Fall 2020, eager to foster her artistry in professional music performance. While she enjoyed her classes and practice opportunities, the COVID-19 pandemic led her to reevaluate her plans. 

“Obviously I really wanted to be a musician but with COVID and everything virtual I realized I needed to have more practical skills besides just playing trombone,” she said. 

Last fall, she decided to add a minor in arts leadership, designed for students with an interest in arts entrepreneurship, administration and activism. In addition to learning skills such as grant writing, marketing and fundraising, students learn how to think strategically as artists. Her courses have confirmed she can “stick to trombone and make a career out of it,” she said.  

Thanks to the university’s expansive network and location advantage, she’s also held two internship opportunities at Washington, D.C.-based arts organizations. Last semester she was a marketing intern at the Boulanger Initiative, co-founded by SOM alumna Laura Colgate '18 D.M.A., which advocates for women and all gender marginalized composers. At the Kennedy Center, Nash is focused on writing and sharing messages about the power of the arts with broad audiences. 

She also writes about arts and culture for the Diamondback, including UMD students and performances. Part of her goal is to help students know and appreciate the art-making happening on campus, and take advantage of free tickets to shows. 

“Orchestral music is so powerful to me that I wanted to learn how to put it into words,” she said, adding that she likes to tell “stories of the student musicians and performers who are working so hard to put together moving and impactful performances.” 

But playing the trombone still remains her passion and focus. In addition to regular lessons and practice in the chamber music program, she rehearses three days a week with the UMD Wind Ensemble. Last month, she performed at the College Band Directors National Association Eastern Division Conference in Baltimore. She is hoping to continue discovering little known composers, including women and gender marginalized composers, and seeking out opportunities to play and promote their works. 

“I like writing about music, playing music, doing marketing around music,” she says. “And I can imagine myself continuing to do it all.” 

ARHU students can benefit from “Be Worldwise. Get Worldready.,” a career initiative that blends new and reimagined course offerings, integrated academic and career advising and access to internships, alumni networking and other opportunities across the region. Learn more.

Photo and video by David Andrews.