The WiMN’s Front and Center is a weekly column that showcases accomplished women who work in the music and audio industries. We spotlight successful female performers, manufacturers, retailers, educators, managers, publicists, and everyone else in between. Want to be featured? Learn how here

Front and Center: Stringletter Publishing Marketer, Claudia Campazzo

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Claudia Campazzo of Stringletter Publishing is a savvy marketing manager, a classically trained violist and violinist, a passionate educator, and the perfect person for her job.

Born and raised in Chile, Campazzo is based in the San Francisco Bay Area where she devises top-notch marketing campaigns for businesses seeking growth opportunities. Her work can be seen in three magazines under Stringletter Publishing – Acoustic Guitar, Ukuleleand Strings.

She is a graduate of the New England Conservatory in Boston, Mass., where she earned a master’s degree in viola performance, and also boasts a master’s degree in early childhood education from Antioch University in Keene, N.H.

When she is not plotting the next biggest music marketing campaign, Campazzo enjoys cycling, oil-painting and nourishing her floral and vegetable garden.

To learn more about Campazzo, visit http://claudiacampazzo.blogspot.com.

WiMN: Where are you from originally?

CC: I was born and raised in Chile. My paternal grandparents are from northern Italy, and my mother’s family is mostly Chilean with a bit of German somewhere down the line. I grew up bilingual Spanish-Italian, and now, after living in the US for over 20 years, I speak mostly English. People usually have a hard time figuring out where I’m from! Many times, often after a performance, I’ve been approached by people in the audience speaking to me in French or German. I just look at them with a blank stare since I don’t speak a word of either language.

WiMN: What instrument(s) do you play?

CC: My main instrument is viola. I love its deep, dark tone and rich sound. I also play violin, mostly when I play non-classical styles. Recently I’ve been learning to play mandolin.

WiMN: How long have you played music and where did you study?

CC: I started playing music when I was four years old. I have a B.A. in Music from Columbus State University and a Master’s in Music Performance from The New England Conservatory in Boston. Over the years I have also studied privately with teachers in Boston and New York City.

WiMN: Are you part of any bands? If so, which ones?

CC: At the moment I play with the Lestat Trio, which is a super fun group with my friends Rachel Dusenbury on clarinet and Paul McCurdy on piano. We play classical music, mostly obscure contemporary compositions. It’s a really funky combination of instruments and we get to play new music, which we love.

WiMN: How did you get started in the music business?

CC: When I relocated from New England to California I met Cindi Kazarian while playing a gig with the Mill Valley Philharmonic. She works at Stringletter and told me about this opportunity, and it seemed perfect. I had been a fan of Strings magazine for a while and I was excited to learn about advertising and marketing.

WiMN: What are some of your duties as the marketing services manager at Stringletter?

CC: For the past three years I’ve been helping businesses with their marketing campaigns for three music magazines – Acoustic Guitar, Ukulele, and Strings. My responsibilities include creating, negotiating, and implementing marketing campaigns, renewing advertising contracts, and attending trade shows. I also create and write marketing materials for seasonal advertising opportunities.

WiMN: What exactly is Stringletter?

CC: Stringletter is the publisher of Acoustic Guitar, Strings and Ukulele magazines. Our magazines, books, newsletters, and websites target acoustic musicians, teachers, and the music trade.

WiMN: Have you ever had any challenges for being a woman in music? How did you deal with them?

CC: The classical music world can be challenging, especially for young women, since it is not uncommon for musicians to abuse their power as private teachers. I’ve experienced some of that but for the most part I’ve studied and worked with very supportive people.

WiMN: What changes would you like to see in the industry?

CC: I would like to see the same changes I want everywhere, which means equality for women. It would be lovely to see more women in traditional male roles such as conducting, or playing brass and percussion instruments. At Stringletter I work with an all-woman sales team, which is pretty unusual. We are proud of the work we do, and love to do business with other women advertisers and marketers.

WiMN: What are some of your biggest achievements in music?

CC: In the past I have played orchestral music with the Boston Philharmonic, the New Hampshire Symphony and Emmanuel Music, in venues such as Carnegie Hall, Jordan Hall and Boston’s Symphony Hall. Here in California I’ve had a couple of opportunities to be a soloist with the Mill Valley Philharmonic.

WiMN: What hobbies do you have outside of music?

CC: I’m an avid cyclist (another male dominated field). It is hard to live in the San Francisco Bay Area and not ride a bike! I ride about 100 miles a week, and this past year I’ve started racing. I also like drawing and oil-painting, and I have a beautiful flower and vegetable garden.

WiMN: Have you ever taught? If so, share any compelling stories you’ve had being a teacher.

CC: Teaching has been a huge part of my music career. I’ve had a private studio for the past 15 years and have also taught at schools and summer festivals. I like teaching so much that five years ago I went back to school and got a second Master’s degree in Early Childhood Education. I can honestly say that my most important teachers have been my students–I’ve had so many wonderful moments as a teacher, both with children and adults, and I will always be grateful to them for all they have taught me.