An Interview with Dan Cavanagh
Here’s our first profile on working schedules and routines, featuring our department chair, Dan Cavanagh. Mr. Cavanagh has been at UTA since 2005 and has served as Assistant Professor of Jazz Studies, Director of the Music Industry Studies program, and now as Chair of the department. Mr. Cavanagh shares how he approaches his daily routine, which involves taking care of his three children, administering the department, and musicianship. [Mr. Cavanagh’s interview has been edited for concision.]
What do you do when you wake up?
I generally make coffee the first thing for my wife and I, and then spend a bit of time looking at my schedule for the day. I also help the kids get going.
What is your exercise routine like, and when do you do it?
We take lots of family walks, we bike ride as a family, and we jog around the neighborhood sometimes. We also are fortunate to have a pool, [which creates] movement and activity during the summer.
Are there any foods you eat every day?
Coffee for sure. I love cooking and love Italian food, so lots of Italian food in our house. I also bake bread, but we don’t eat that every day.
When do you usually start working?
Right now, sometime between 8:30 and 9:30am. [Also,] I still have a jazz musician’s brain, so I often work and stay alert later in the day.
Are you a single-tasker or a multi-tasker?
I try to block out my calendar so that I only work on one thing at a time. Throughout the day I am able to switch between different tasks, but I focus on one at a time, to get all the things done that I want to, both administrative and musically.
Are there any habits you’ve developed for productivity?
Using a calendar and blocking time off for each thing I need to get accomplished. This includes meetings, class times, etc. but also blocks of time where I work on something as a musician, like composing or practicing.
What do you do on a work break, and for how long do you typically take a break?
I have learned how to play video games with my kiddos. (My 12-year old son taught me how to play Fortnite). During the workday [breaks are] not usually more than about 15 minutes or so at once. Getting outside to walk or just enjoy fresh air is important too.
What kinds of chores or household responsibilities are you in charge of?
In general, I am responsible for routine yard work outside, doing any maintenance on cars or organizing that stuff, bill paying/finances, and taking kids to doctors appts, etc.
How do you set goals?
I often think of the future, both for myself, my family, and my department, college, and university. I write my thoughts down. I have come to the point where I enjoy working on things that take a long time to accomplish. So, I break those things up into smaller goals and milestones and tick them off as I get there.
When do you take stock of whether you’ve achieved your goals?
All the time, probably every day.
Do you participate in any working groups, or have regular meetings over the summer?
As chair, there are many things to work on over the summer, and chairs get paid over the summer, unlike full-time faculty who are paid only when the regular 9-month school year is in session. I work with colleagues on planning for the next year, strategic goals and planning for the department, budgeting work with our staff colleagues, and lots of other routine things./p>
Do you usually work every day, or do you take one or both weekend days off?
There’s rarely a day when I don’t at least check email and write one or two responses, or talk to a colleague, or work on piano or composing. Music is simply part of my framework. But I have gotten much better spending time on the weekends with my family and my hobbies outside music (yes, it’s possible!).
Anything else you’d like to share?
The only other thing I’d like to share is that all of these answers are a snapshot in time for everyone who you interview. There was a long time in my career when I was nearly 100% laser-focused on composing and teaching. That has changed for me, and I suspect it will change again in my life further down the road.
Thanks for reading, and stay tuned for more habits and routines!