Music & Performing Arts
Music and performing arts create live and recorded work across performance, composition, production and arts management. Income is often portfolio-based.
Careers
18
Salary range
R130k – R840k
Demand
Competitive; steadiest in production, teaching and live events.
Why this industry matters
Culture is both intrinsically valuable and a significant employer.
Major career pathways
- Performer
- Music producer
- Sound engineer
- Music teacher
- Arts manager
Career map
Study
- Music
- Performing Arts
- Sound Engineering
Entry roles
- Performer
- Music producer
- Sound engineer
Specialise
- Performance
- Composition
- Audio production
Lead
- Music teacher
- Arts manager
Typical employers & featured organisations
Orchestras and companies
Hires across music & performing arts roles at graduate and experienced level.
Studios
Hires across music & performing arts roles at graduate and experienced level.
Labels
Hires across music & performing arts roles at graduate and experienced level.
Schools
Hires across music & performing arts roles at graduate and experienced level.
Event promoters
Hires across music & performing arts roles at graduate and experienced level.
Qualifications & certifications
Required qualifications
- Music degree or conservatoire training; auditions and portfolio decide
Professional certifications
- Graded music examinations
- Pro Tools certification
Skills that get you hired
Technical skills
- Performance
- Composition
- Audio production
- Self-promotion
- Discipline
Soft skills
- Communication
- Problem solving
- Teamwork
- Adaptability
- Time management
Salary progression
Entry level
R130k – R210k
Mid level
R240k – R460k
Senior level
R490k – R840k
Career progression timeline
Years 0–2
Learn the fundamentals in an entry role such as performer.
Years 2–5
Specialise. Depth in performance and composition is what moves your salary.
Years 5–10
Lead projects or teams, or move into arts manager.
Years 10+
Senior specialist, management or independent consulting — the pay bands diverge sharply here.
Future trends & emerging technology
- Streaming economics
- Sync licensing
- Home studio production
How AI is changing this industry
AI generates background and demo audio; live performance and artist identity keep their value.
Where to study
University degrees
- Music
- Performing Arts
- Sound Engineering
TVET & vocational
- Live sound certificates
- Studio production diplomas
Online learning
- Berklee Online
- Ableton and Logic courses
Internships, apprenticeships & graduate programmes
- Graduate programmes at large employers
- Structured internships (3–12 months)
- Apprenticeships and learnerships
- Volunteer and community projects