Are you a musician dreaming of carving your own path — one where creativity and a stable paycheck don’t have to be mutually exclusive? This week’s guest on the Female Entrepreneur Musician Podcast, Marc Christian, has done exactly that. A talented cellist based in Southern California, Marc has grown his special events business from scratch into a sought-after, in-demand enterprise serving luxury weddings, corporate events, private parties, and more.
Below, I’m unpacking Marc’s insights for fellow musicians who want to tap into the lucrative world of private events, build lasting relationships, and leverage social media (without burning out).
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From Drums to Cello — Marc’s Musical Journey
Marc didn’t set out as a classical cellist—he first gravitated toward drums and piano as a child, then picked up cello at age 10, jamming with his siblings in a home-schooled trio. After studying cello performance at Cal State Northridge and gigging with bands in L.A., he discovered his true niche: delivering elevated experiences at weddings and private events. Five years ago, he made the leap to launch his own business—and hasn’t looked back.
Breaking Into the Private Events Scene: Marc’s Advice
You Don’t Need a Huge Network to Start
While Marc’s background with big-name performances and Grammy events gave him skills, he began booking weddings on platforms like The Bash and The Knot—without an established network. His strategy? Set lower introductory rates, book volume, and focus on building stellar relationships. “The first year, I probably did 100 weddings,” he says.
Referrals Are Gold
The real growth happened as Marc built relationships with coordinators, planners, and venue staff—with each event expanding his circle. Don’t discount word-of-mouth: “A lot of referrals come from those connections, and online clients who find me from videos.”
Invest in Your Gear & Image
Marc reinvested his early profits into professional gear and—smart move!—hired content creators to capture video at every gig. This constantly fresh content fuels his social presence, sets him apart, and keeps him top-of-mind for planning couples and industry pros alike.
Social Media: The Secret Weapon
Marc’s Instagram is at the heart of his marketing—filled with wedding reels, performance clips, and pro networking. Rather than spreading himself thin, he focuses on Instagram and collaborates with other pros in his niche.
His key tip: Let couples see you in the environment they’re hiring you for. That means real wedding footage, not just studio shots. “People want to imagine what it would be like to have you at their event,” he emphasizes.
Pro tip: He uses simple, clear direction for his content helpers, and pays them for a few hours—a small investment with a huge ROI, since videos can lead to multiple high-value bookings.
What Does a Wedding Cellist Actually Play?
Marc has a vast repertoire (about 200 songs), but for ceremonies, he urges couples to request 3–5 special songs—he’ll learn new material when needed, but keeps most in his repertoire. Increasingly, people want fresh takes on pop, R&B, and hip hop classics—Marc loves surprising guests by playing Kendrick Lamar or movie soundtracks on cello.
Growth, Expansion, and Service
Now, about 80% of Marc’s business is weddings, with the rest split between private parties and select public/festival gigs on off-days. He’s also fielding requests for destination weddings and corporate events as far as New York and New Orleans. “I see myself as providing an experience, not just background music—I want people to remember how it felt.”
Advice for Up-and-Coming Musicians
Marc’s hard-won wisdom:
Give Your Best, Every Gig. “People remember how you make them feel, not just what you play. Take pride, even at the smallest events—you never know who’s listening.”
Find Your Niche of Service. Focus on where your talent meets the needs of a specific audience. For Marc, it’s the emotion, experience, and “moment-making” of weddings and private events.
Stay Top of Mind. Use content and a professional-looking website to elevate your brand. Keep relationships warm—even if you’re not building a traditional “fanbase,” your clients are your best ambassadors.
Important Links
Wrap-Up:
Marc’s journey is proof that building a lucrative, meaningful music career is within reach for instrumentalists and singers alike. “Success comes from giving your all, focusing on service, and consistently putting yourself where the magic (and the clients) are,” he says. Ready to step into your own profitable music niche? Let Marc’s story inspire your next move!
If you found Marc’s tips helpful or want more behind-the-scenes insights from female and underrepresented music entrepreneurs, make sure to subscribe to the Female Entrepreneur Musician Podcast and follow us on your favorite platform!