Why does one pianist make a bigger career than others?
What does is mean to be "better"?
What decides about the status of a pianist?

Many great musicians assume that their talent and practice are sufficient in order to succeed and lead a happy and fulfilled professional life they dreamt of as a teenager. This is one of the most common misconceptions about the life of a successful human being. The reason for this misconception is that they have never been told and explained how the music world really works, or shall we say - how the world works in general. Many of the teachers who are sincere and kind, would like to help a young gifted musician to climb up the career ladder, but they can't do that simply because they don't know how to do it. However, those ones who know, don't necessarily want to help. What's even worse, there are also many wolves in sheep's clothing out there.

The power of every human being comes from within: from one's own mental strength, knowledge, one's determination, consequence and belief in oneself. This is a foundation that prepares the body and mind for a long-lasting journey full of happiness and satisfaction. In order to get this immense inner power to grow, a solid preparation is needed. The more you know, the better you handle stressful and new situations.

Having agile fingers, good memory and readiness to spend hours at the piano are not enough. It's just a beginning. The rest of your future path depends on your willingness to learn, understand and develop in other fields. This way you secure your economic power and realise that even in a world where you can't influence all non-music-related aspects that often are the key factor deciding about the position in the music world, you feel empowered and you are successful.

For more than a decade I've been working closely with Ingolf Wunder. This common journey of ours made me put the puzzle together and taught me in depth how music business works, how record industry works, how music competitions work, who are the key people and why, how music agencies work, how life of an active successful touring pianist looks like in its tiny detail. And most importantly it showed me: what are the DOs and DON'Ts of the music world. I'm one of very few people in the music business in the world who has been traveling together with a solo musician and participating in most of the meetings, observing people, analysing situations, making decisions, experiencing problems and actively solving many of them. I don't talk about theory. I do know how things work in practice. This wide field of expertise that covers competences of a manager, producer, creative writer and businesswoman combined with a very humane experience which is living 24/7 with a sensitive and sometimes vulnerable artist, made me fully understand the complexity of a musician's career and life.

I'm also being active in building startups. This experience have been giving me an additional amount of knowledge and wider understanding on how to create something out of a thought only and make it work.

I find important to share my knowledge and expertise with young talented pianists and help them equip with tools that will help them become stronger human beings not by playing dirty, but by simply becoming better versions of themselves and at the same time keeping their integrity and passion.

The more you know, the quicker you learn, the more creative you become, the more independent you are.

- Paulina Wunder

Music business

She fully managed and traveled with a touring artist for now more than 10 years and counting. She plans and organizes events, was involved in numerous Universal Music releases and also an executive Producer of a Deutsche Gramophone CD. Therefore she has all the skills needed to prepare the PPA students for the market.

Career mentoring

Paulina has a global network in the music business and over 10 years of experience as an impresario, manager, producer and Social Media expert (content creation, photography, video, writing). She uses this experience to give PA students a head start into the music business

Critical thinking

She takes on any challenge, she asks why, sees through people and problems immediately and always finds a way to make it work perfectly. These are the vital functions in her startups.

Entrepreneurship

Due to the richness and diversity of Mrs. Wunder’s life, it was always part of her to be an entrepreneur and to think outside the box. She founded already multiple startups and uses her experiences and skills to give the PA student a full pictures of what it needs to thrive in the music business.