We've all heard about the Youtube phenomenas, talent show prodigies and overnight sensations of the music world. But what about the rest of us? In this talk Adam Burns presents an alternative path to artistic satisfaction and financial independence in the world of music.

Adam Burns is a musician and educator based in Mariposa, California. Adam combines rock, folk, ska and eastern European influences to create music that is both energetic and richly melodic. He performs regularly around California with his band, Bootstrap Circus, and teaches music in El Portal and Mariposa.

Adam grew up in rural England and moved to California in 2004. He worked as a Field Science Educator for NatureBridge in Yosemite for seven years before transferring his education skills to music. In 2010, Adam launched the Beat Harvest music education program with a mission to inspire people to make music and teach them the skills they need to do so. In his teaching, Adam focuses on unleashing creative potential and collaboration with other musicians. His goal is to teach his students not only to play their instrument, but also how to use music to express themselves and build community.

This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at http://ted.com/tedx