The Maestro’s Mission: Grammy Winner Luke McEndarfer on Leading with Purpose, Passion, and the Power of Music

I often tell people that each day in my role as Artistic Director and Chief Executive Officer is usually unrecognizable from the day before. With innovation and creativity at the heart of what we do, there is no shortage of new projects to pursue, people to meet, and places to go. I don’t feel, though, that this ever-changing backdrop is specific to nonprofit corporations, nor do I feel that being national is a root cause. Rather, when world-class artistry, performance, education, mentorship, collaboration, marketing, fundraising, and rapid business development combine with a highly-driven and trailblazing team whose mission it is to reshape an industry, whoever is in charge of leading that team had better buckle up and hold on tight. Based on all that, I would say “a wild and unpredictable ride” pretty much sums up a day in the life of my work!

That being said, while my days may be starkly different, in contrast, it’s the mornings that I insist be exactly the same. Every CEO knows that once the business day starts, you will be called, texted, pinged, and pulled in multiple directions simultaneously, all probably during a meeting, since meetings are what you will spend most of your time doing. While there are stellar approaches to time management and maximizing productivity, I’ve come to learn that the holy grail of CEO survival undoubtedly lies in the early morning hours. While CEO’s can never predict what happens after 9:00 AM, the quiet time alone before the sun rises provides space for a crucial ritual that for me includes exercise, nutrition, and mindfulness. I have discovered over time that when you are well-rested, healthy, and laser-focused on your purpose, the rest of the day may play out as it will, and success is guaranteed. This is because when you are in a centered state of preparedness, you will confidently build on opportunities and respond wisely to challenges. I’m a firm believer in the CEO adage: “Win the morning, win the day!”

How do you manage running so many chapters across the country, plus international performances?

The organization’s team of more than 100 skilled employees is quite extensive. Our staff members are detail-oriented, highly capable, and powerfully committed to the impact music makes in the lives of those we serve. This includes our international appearances. As CEO, I actually do not run or manage our operations anywhere. That being said, it is very important to me that everything across the organization runs superlatively, and I am therefore in constant contact with the individuals who lead our various departments. Though much of my energy and focus is spent on big-picture strategic planning for long-term growth, I do make sure to randomly zero in on smaller processes from time to time, just to get a pulse on how things are being done. While micromanaging is never a good managerial approach, I do feel strongly that a CEO must never disengage entirely from any portion of the company.

You recently celebrated 20 Years leading the NCC. What is the biggest lesson you’ve learned? 

Over twenty years, the lessons are surely countless. But perhaps the biggest one I’ve learned is that making the right decision is not always easy, nor popular. And yet, if you are going to be an effective leader in any capacity, making great decisions will need to be your gift. Even so, I’ve noticed that when we are younger and less experienced, we are more prone to silencing our inner voice–you know, that soft whisper that seems to consistently tell us the truth? Sometimes we suppress it because we allow others to convince us they know better. Other times, we silence ourselves or fail to act in our power because we are afraid of offending someone.

One of the best business coaches I’ve worked with said something to me about 12 years ago when I expressed trepidation at one of her directives. I interrupted and explained to her that someone much older than I, who was pretty intimidating, would be very angry with me if I implemented her solution to a current problem. The coach, sitting across the table in New York, put her pen down and looked me dead in the eye. She said, “In your best judgment, do you agree that my solution to your problem is correct?” I said, “Yes.” Then she said the words I’ll never forget: “Luke, as CEO, you need to be liked must never stand in the way of what the organization needs.” That statement blew my mind because it was so blunt, yet so true. Later that week, I did as the coach had said. And guess what? That older person indeed got very angry with me, and I had to accept that. But I also noticed the organization and multiple staff immediately benefited from the action I took, which made it so clear to me which outcome was the most important. So there you have it–staying true to yourself and aligned with what you know is right. That is the biggest lesson. So big, in fact, that once you see it, you never stop working to become even better at it.

What do you hope the students take from their experience at NCC?

Our goal at the NCC is to guide each student in realizing their potential for greatness in this world–whether in the music industry or any other field. We have seen over the years that when young people engage in the process of learning and performing music, something transformative happens. They begin to see themselves in a new way–in an unlimited way–in an empowered way. This creates an extraordinary mindset that cultivates an abundant life of possibility, fulfillment, integrity, connection, and community. Our graduates are a testament to these claims. For as it turns out, commitment to excellence, a strong work ethic, and diligent teamwork–all required in order to rehearse and perform music well–also apply to all other areas of our lives where we want success, both personally and professionally. I believe that science is only beginning to prove the unmistakable benefits of music education, particularly when delivered within a holistic, world-class arts program like the NCC. The most important thing students bring to the NCC when they first join is “who they truly are.” We tell them that because it’s true. And the most important thing we want them to leave with when graduating is “even more of who they truly are.” NCC’s motto of “Discover your voice!” was created so there is no confusion regarding NCC’s role within the students’ educational journey with us. Meaning, at the NCC, we do not give students their greatness! Through strengthening their voices and mentoring their progress, we simply help reveal the greatness that was always there.

You’re already a Guru, but where do you see yourself in the future?

Just as the organization grows and evolves, I also do along with it. We certainly have many big plans in expanding our work and deepening our impact within the communities we serve. Each year, however, I further seek to understand what people need from music in this day and age, and how music’s uplifting, unifying, and healing properties can further and more emphatically improve our lives. Most people think of music just as entertainment, or a skill, or an art form–and music is definitely each of those things. But I think that’s just scratching the surface, and we are just beginning to tap into what music really does to us on a psychological, therapeutic, and even cellular level. For thousands of years, we have read, seen, and heard the human benefits of listening to music, performing it, and being part of it. We know in our lives how it can stir our emotions, move our hearts, and encourage the expression of our highest selves.

We know that music brings us great joy and can strongly elicit many other feelings. Yet there is much to quantify and understand, and I’m particularly interested in this because I feel the importance of music’s role in the world will grow and deepen significantly in the years ahead. Accordingly, I always want our organization’s programs to reflect what people need to gain through music. What do their minds, hearts, and souls need from music right now? Across the world (and at the GRAMMY Awards each year), musicians constantly say, “We (the artists and the industry) are here creating music to make this world a better place.” I fully agree and stand by that sentiment in the work I do each day, holding high the intention of a better world with each new step the NCC takes.