Today we’d like to introduce you to Cass Wauben
Hi Cass, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
From Tanglewood to Peabody: My Journey Through Music, Fashion, and Finding My Why
My journey as a creative has taken a lot of twists and turns, but I’m always ready to pivot.
It all started in the summer of 2019, just before I went to college. I spent that summer at the Boston University Tanglewood Institute, where I first got a taste of classical music. That experience was incredible. I was surrounded by talented people and amazing teachers who really pushed me to refine my voice and learn what it takes to succeed in this art form. It was a pivotal moment in my development, not only as a singer but as a person.
After Tanglewood, I attended a liberal arts college, but something didn’t feel right. I was craving an environment that focused more on developing my craft as a performer and musician. So, when the pandemic hit, everything came to a halt, and for the first time, I had the time to really think about what I wanted. I realized I needed a fresh start, so I took a step back from my original plan. That break helped me rediscover my love for performing, and it led me to audition for conservatories. That’s when I decided to move to Baltimore and attend the Peabody Institute at Johns Hopkins. It felt like the perfect next chapter in my journey.
At Peabody, I had the privilege of working with incredible professors who shaped me not only as an artist but as a person. Professors like Randall Scarlata, Patrick O’Donnell, and Charenée Wade helped me develop both my musical and personal identity. I was able to study a variety of genres, from classical to jazz to musical theater. One of the biggest things I learned at Peabody was how to understand my “why”—why I love being a musician. For me, music is all about connection. You can reach people in a deeply emotional way, bringing them joy or making them feel less alone in the time it takes to sing one song. To me, that’s pure magic.
Baltimore also gave me opportunities beyond music. My first job here was with DIFFERENTREGARD, a sustainable luxury fashion brand. Working with Steven White and Dominick Davis pushed me to grow as both a business professional and a creative. It was here that I began diving into content creation and fashion. Steven, in particular, helped me challenge my limiting beliefs and pushed me to think bigger. He always encouraged me to keep going, even when things felt too challenging. I brought that same attitude back to my music and other creative pursuits, and it’s opened so many doors for me.
In 2023, I started my Instagram account @happywithcass. What began as a place to share the small joys and things I was grateful for during the pandemic quickly grew into something more. I began gaining a following and working with brands. Since then, I’ve had the chance to experiment with different types of content, but at the heart of it, I still love sharing the things that light up my world and make me smile.
Now, I’m focused on my future in both the musical theater and marketing industries. I’ve been interviewing and auditioning in New York City, forging a new path. But I’ll always be grateful for the experiences I’ve had in Baltimore. It’s such an incredible place to be a young person starting out, and it will always have a special place in my heart.
As I look to the future, I’m excited for what’s next. I’m ready to keep learning, growing, and pivoting toward new opportunities. The journey is just beginning, and I can’t wait to see where it takes me.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Figuring out why I wanted to be a musician took time. Classical music in particular is academically and technically demanding and it can be easy to lose sight of why you’re working so hard. Taking time to study Jazz really helped me to reconnect with the heart of music for me- conversation. That’s why we sing- connection.
My journey has been anything but linear, and I’ve learned to embrace the beauty of navigating multiple fields. From music to fashion to social media, I’ve discovered that the skills I develop in one area often translate into new, unexpected opportunities in others. Sometimes it is hard to balance everything- but learning how to use the skills I’ve learned in multiple fields and to get really disciplined with time management has improved my work.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
Fashion: As far as fashion, I think the things I share tend to be practical but centered around joy and whismy. Yes, I thrift a lot of my outfits but I really look for unique silhouettes, texture and colors. Affordable and everyday fashion doesn’t have to be drab. I love being inspired by the seasons- often I’ll base something around a flower that’s blooming or a fruit I’ve been loving. As silly as this is, it keeps life vibrant and helps me to stay present and appreciate the world around me.
In Music:
So what makes me different?I view every performance as a conversation- whether that’s with my pianist, band, duet partner, audience. Again, I learned so much about how to do this through my jazz training with Charenée. She’s just an amazing teacher who has really helped me to learn how to be present and vulnerable when performing.
My training in the operatic world has really given me the technical ability and precision to create such a wide variety of colors and sounds. Knowing and trusting my voice lets me sing across so many genres while still feeling like I am singing with my authentic voice.
Recently, I’ve been diving back into musical theater, which was really my first love in the world of music. I love that it combines challenging vocal music with complex characters and storytelling. The genre brings together my favorite elements from the classical world and the jazz world.
I’m really excited to see what the future holds as I explore this next path!
What sort of changes are you expecting over the next 5-10 years?
-More high tech fashion will come into the runway and daily life
-People will want to see more in-person connections and events again
-The arts are going to become more and more relevant as people burnout of social isolation
-We will see more and more mixing of musical genres and art into daily life
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/happywithcass/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cass-wauben-0890842b0/
