Episode 31 Stephen Selman, musician, educator, amateur astronomer, entrepreneur

My guest today is Stephen Selman. Stephen is a musician, educator, amateur astronomer and entrepreneur. He studied guitar and songwriting at Berklee College of Music in Boston, appreciating not only the other musicians he befriended there, but how the confidence to create was instilled in him. Stephen embraces the philosophy of his work place, Brooklyn Music Factory, which believes that music is for everybody, music is FUN, and music is a social art form that is best enjoyed with others. Stephen has taught guitar and ensembles at Brooklyn Music Factory for the last 8 years, and recently took on the title of “Director of Big Music Games”. He created an app that kick starts the universal language of music, making it accessible to young children. He has loved that this exciting app project has stretched him, allowed him to collaborate with music teachers around the country, while integrating his love of computers with his passion for music!

Stephen recalls a camping trip on a beach in Cape Cod, 10 years ago, watching Orion rise out of the ocean, that ignited his fascination with astronomy. As a member of the Amateur Astronomers Association of NY, Stephen happily star gazes throughout NYC.

He describes the ingredients he values in his grounded, healthy, loving relationship with his wife, Kat Selman, who was a recent guest of mine. We discuss his courage to explore diverse interests, expand his identity, follow his curiosity, and the inspiration he finds in people who take risks.  Check out the show notes for links to Stephen’s new app Big Music Games. Enjoy the podcast!

Links:
Brooklyn Music Factory (Instagram)
Brooklyn Music Factory (Web Site)
Big Music Games
Amateur Astronomers Association of NY