Alvin Hough Jr.: From Dollar Pizza to Broadway
Alvin Hough Jr., Associate Music Director of The Lion King on Broadway, shares his journey as a musician, his financial strategies throughout his career, and behind-the-scenes insights into the life of a Broadway music professional. From childhood piano lessons to financial planning for a family in New York City, Alvin offers a refreshingly grounded perspective on artistry, work ethic, and money management. Below is an insight into some of the topics covered in this Podcast.
How did you get your start in music and what led you to Broadway?
Alvin Hough Jr. started playing piano at age 5 by accident—he was simply placed in an after-school program and gravitated toward the piano. His teacher encouraged his parents to get him lessons, which led to a classical foundation. At 13, he was pushed into church performance, where he learned improvisation and how to accompany singers. Later, he became involved in musical theater through summer camps. Despite having degrees in meteorology from Harvard and Georgia Tech, he ended up pursuing music professionally, landing in New York after the 2008 recession.
What was your “big break” in the industry?
His first major break came in 2009 when he was hired as a last-minute keyboard replacement for the Dreamgirls national tour. He got the gig through a word-of-mouth recommendation, showcasing the importance of relationships in the industry. This job exposed him to the reality of life on the road and led to more stable work in New York.
How do you handle personal finances, especially with a family and a Broadway job?
Alvin Hough Jr. describes himself as a saver, not a spender—an attitude instilled in him by his Aunt Diane. He began investing in his early 20s and has consistently budgeted, tracked income/expenses in spreadsheets, and paid off credit cards monthly. He and his wife, a pediatric ICU doctor, now maintain a family budget. He bought an apartment in Manhattan, which he pays off through a mortgage. He also credits a crew member on tour with teaching him to live off per diem and save his salary.
What’s the reality of working in music on Broadway?
As Associate Music Director, Alvin’s work extends far beyond show calls. He conducts, rehearses new cast members, teaches parts, and preps actors linguistically (like Zulu pronunciations for The Lion King). He might rehearse from 10–6 and then play the evening show. His work is both administrative and performance-based. Keyboard players, in particular, often serve multiple musical roles through programming and patch changes.
What financial advice would you give to someone starting out in theater?
Ask questions. If you don’t understand something about money—how to budget, save, or invest—ask someone who does. Start saving as soon as possible. Alvin emphasized building an emergency fund of 3–6 months of expenses, and never relying on the assumption that work will last forever. He also stressed the importance of tracking all your income (especially 1099s) and paying taxes on time.
Key Takeaways from the Episode
- Start Saving Early
Alvin began investing in his early 20s on advice from his aunt and has stayed consistent ever since. - Live Below Your Means
While touring, he lived entirely off per diem and saved his salary—advice from a seasoned crew member that changed his life. - Track Everything
He keeps detailed Excel sheets for budgeting, taxes, and payments. DTA—Don’t Trust Anybody—to get your money right without double-checking. - Show Up & Be Reliable
Alvin’s success came from saying yes, showing up consistently, and maintaining a strong work ethic. - Ask Questions
Whether it’s about money, contracts, or pay—ask. If you don’t ask, the answer is always no. - Unions Help
As a union musician, Alvin benefits from set rates and protections, but you still have to stay alert for payroll mistakes. - City Life by Choice
He chose to raise his family in NYC to give his kids a diverse, vibrant upbringing, despite the high cost.
Listen to this Episode on:
Website / Spotify / Apple Podcasts / YouTube
This episode of the Artistic Finance podcast is hosted by Ethan Steimel.
Editor's Note: At StageLync, an international platform for the performing arts, we celebrate the diversity of our writers' backgrounds. We recognize and support their choice to use either American or British English in their articles, respecting their individual preferences and origins. This policy allows us to embrace a wide range of linguistic expressions, enriching our content and reflecting the global nature of our community.
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