btw…my D is 29 and supports herself as a teacher/performing artist. She has many friend who do too…so it’s not all gloom and doom with a music degree. She earns her income as:
a teacher (private studio, private teacher for talented students at 2 high schools, co-runs a Sat program at the city music school and is a teaching artist for summer programs at theaters) - she did not do an education degree but has an MM so she can teach. Almost all performing artists teach in some capacity. It’s your bread and butter.
a performer (opera, MT and theater) in her city and regional work
as talent for commercial work (on-camera industrial, commercial and voice over work)
She was able to quit her “survival” job about a year ago after building up her network and business. She is hired 6 to 12 months out on a regular basis.
Being talented and smart are important. But you also need to be highly organized, entrepreneurial and able to hussle. AND being multi-talented helps a great deal. You can get more work that way. My D’s on-camera work pays very well…and was not something she anticipated doing…but she heard about it from friends when she was “hungry”…got herself an agent…and made it happen. She did stumble, fall, embarrass herself…change agents and did better the second time.
If some day, it all ends…I’m sure she would do well in sales. She seems unable to “give up”.
Think carefully about your kids ability to hussle, be flexible and entrepreneurial. Make sure he understands that.
Of course, getting a traditional job and gigging in his free time would be a great option too (my D has friends doing this). A BM is a bachelor’s degree and there are plenty of jobs that simply require a college degree.
I hope that this helps in some way.