The Pear Duo, husband and wife musicians Curtis Brengle and Julie Ragins, presented their workshop, “The Business of Music” to Lehigh Valley Charter High School for the Arts students and parents at the Charter Arts campus Nov. 27.

Brengle and Ragins have nearly 30 years of experience in the music industry, recording, performing and touring with artists like The Moody Blues, Ray Charles, Barry Manilow, Engelbert Humperdinck, Sergio Mendes, the Pointer Sisters and others. Since forming as Pear Duo in 2015 they have been touring the country performing community, charity and house concerts. Their workshop is designed to give aspiring musicians the benefit of their experience, giving students and their families the tools needed to gain traction in a business that is ever changing and often challenging.

Pear Duo’s workshop at Charter Arts was conducted in a relaxed fashion which encouraged attendees to interact with them. Their workshop focused on establishing goals, “recognizing and creating opportunities,” branding oyourself and then marketing yourself, creating a resumé, and the skills necessary to get a gig (or lose it).

Ragins explained that as supporting musicians, they rarely have a signed contract; rather “it’s kind of an honor system … We each know our part and do our homework; it’s pretty much a kind of language.”

Questions about breaking into the industry prevailed. “Start recording your music,” Brengle said, “and ask people what they think.” Both artists urged students to copyright their music. “It’s a free-for-all if you don’t,” Brengle added.

Brengle also told the attendees to “keep their stuff in the public’s eye,” because “you’d be surprised at who knows who” in the music business.

Ragins explained that people don’t listen to music much. “They watch it,” she said. “You have to start thinking visually. Mailing lists are king; keep yourself in their thoughts.”

Perhaps the key to making it was in one of the final questions posed, “What was essential to your success?”

Ragins replied, “I said yes to everything.”