This study examines women's experiences in pursuing careers in the arts or music. Data for the study was gathered through a survey mailed to a random sample of women graduates (n=73) from an internationally known school for music and art. While most survey questions were closed-ended and focused on demographic information, the most revealing information was found in participants' responses to open-ended questions which asked about specific events and college experiences that had encouraged or discouraged them from pursing careers in their majors. Grounded analysis of the data revealed connections between the messages women received and how such messages affected their careers. Messages were grouped according to the following characteristics: tone (positive or negative); whether the message applied only to women or could be equally applied to men; the sender and the sender's relationship to the woman. The study notes that the fields of music and the arts are almost devoid of cultural diversity and concludes that neither education nor society encourage women to freely develop their talents and creativity. It finds that in order for women to succeed in music and the arts, they must develop a strong self-esteem and the skills to contradict negative messages. (CH)