What If We Recruited Musicians Like We Do Athletes?

In this episode of EdTech Connect, host Jeff Dillon sits down with Eytan Wurman, founder of Common Time Pathways, to explore the untapped potential of music in college admissions. A former music teacher turned entrepreneur, Eytan reveals how his platform is bridging the gap between student musicians and $5 billion in overlooked scholarships—more than athletic scholarships combined.

From debunking myths about music careers (“You don’t have to be Yo-Yo Ma to succeed”) to leveraging AI for music education (without replacing human artistry), Eytan shares how Common Time Pathways is creating athlete-style recruitment pipelines for musicians. Discover why colleges are prioritizing students who retain music as part of their identity, how harmonic resonance connects cultures, and why the future of education needs more creativity—not less—in an AI-dominated world.

1. Music Scholarships Outpace Athletics

• Over $5B in performing arts scholarships are awarded annually—more than D1/D2 athletic scholarships—but people are aware of this due to lack of awareness and networking opportunities.

10,000 Hours

• Professional musicians aren’t born; they’re made through persistence. Like doctors or engineers, mastery comes from practice, not innate talent.

Why Music is Higher Ed’s Secret Retention Tool

• Post-COVID, musicians returned to campus fastest because ensembles gave them identity and community—key to combating student burnout.

AI Can’t Replace Human Artistry (Yet)

• Tools like Songscription.ai automate notation, but live music’s emotional power remains irreplaceable. “AI won’t make us cry like a human playing Beethoven.”

The Networking Gap

• Athletes are recruited at age 5; musicians are told “figure it out.” Common Time Pathways connects students directly with professors and recruiters as early as 13.

Cultural Shift Needed

• Counselors often lack tools to guide musical students. Changing the narrative from “music is nice” to “music is economically viable” is critical.

Global Harmony

• Music transcends language and culture. Eytan’s work with international educators aims to redefine conservatory pipelines beyond Western classical traditions.

Advice for Entrepreneurs

• “Talk to everyone—even your third-grade teacher.” Building a business hinges on relentless networking and seizing small connection opportunities.

 

Listen Now to learn how CommonTime Pathways is turning musicians into higher ed’s most valuable recruits!

 

Find Eytan Wurman here:

LinkedIn                              

https://www.linkedin.com/in/eytanwurman/

CommonTime Pathways

https://www.ctpathways.com/

 

And find EdTech Connect here:

Web: https://edtechconnect.com/

 

Chapters

• (00:00:00) - EdTech Connect: The Need for Musicians
• (00:01:13) - Introducing Eitan Wurman
• (00:02:17) - Common Time Pathways: How to Get a Scholarship
• (00:09:12) - Music's Key to More Human Society
• (00:11:33) - What Is It About Music That Makes People So Empathetic?
• (00:14:17) - There's 10,000 Hours of Mastery
• (00:15:26) - Is it nearly impossible to have a career in Music?
• (00:20:03) - Are college and career counseling practices failing to identify our kids?
• (00:22:00) - Common Time Pathways: How to Get a Music Scholarship
• (00:25:40) - What Does Success Look Like for Musicians?
• (00:27:45) - How Is Music Tech Affecting the Community?
• (00:29:47) - How to Start a Business With a Passion
• (00:31:50) - Eitan on EdTech Connect