Brand in the Making by ThinkTank Thought Leadership

Keith Elder, CEO of the Grand Rapids Symphony, shares how innovation, risk-taking, and community connection are keeping classical music alive and thriving. From orchestras collaborating with hip-hop artists to Beethoven in a ballpark during COVID, Keith reveals the bold moves redefining what a symphony can be—and why music is essential for healing and unity in every community.

Chapters:
(00:00) From Tuba Player to Symphony CEO
(04:15) Reinventing Orchestras Through Innovation
(09:05) Beethoven in the Ballpark During COVID
(15:30) Risks That Flopped and Risks That Won
(21:45) Expanding Reach and Partnerships Across Michigan
(28:00) Balancing Tradition and Modern Creativity
(35:40) Music’s Power to Heal and Unite Communities

Creators and Guests

Host
Jonathan Tasman
Jonathan Tasman is a high-performance growth marketer, content strategist, and founder of the Side Quest Book Club podcast. As Director of Growth Marketing at City Innovations, he builds and operationalizes full-stack content engines across multiple brands, driving traction for startups, corporate ventures, and thought leaders. Jonathan also leads strategic initiatives for ThinkTank, Traction Lab, and Beacon Services, while producing weekly podcast content and managing audience growth systems for clients. By day, he scales early-stage ventures. By night, he ships content, builds frameworks, and reads speculative fiction with a mic in hand.

What is Brand in the Making by ThinkTank Thought Leadership?

Behind every brand is a person.
We share their unheard stories as their journeys unfold.

Brand in the Making is a raw, unscripted podcast featuring founders, creators, and thought leaders who are building something meaningful. These are the voices you haven’t heard yet—captured in real time, before the headlines.

Each episode takes you inside the process: the sparks, the setbacks, and the strategies that shape personal brands and breakout businesses.

If you're curious about what it takes to build a brand that matters, this is your front-row seat.

Presented by ThinkTank Thought Leadership — the content engine for ambitious leaders.