CV, biography, portfolio and EPK: the differences
MusicianCV editorial draft · Updated 24 October 2026. Examples are illustrative; this guide does not independently verify qualifications or music rights.
Four different questions
These materials are related but have different jobs. A CV presents experience and roles, a biography tells an artist’s story, a portfolio selects works, and an EPK assembles promotional material. Instead of repeating one text under four headings, consider the reader’s question. Unnecessary repetition can bury the important listening example.
CV and résumé in context
The word CV can refer to different document lengths in different application contexts. A concise career résumé and a detailed academic record have different scope. Do not assume MusicianCV’s A4 career document replaces a requested format or extensive academic record. Present education, roles and experience at the level the application asks for.
Biography and portfolio
A biography explains your work and artistic context. A portfolio selects examples the reader can hear or inspect. If you work in several roles, identify your contribution to each work: composition, arrangement, performance or another task. A bare list of links may not explain what you did, while a biography alone provides no listening example.
What does an EPK combine?
An EPK brings a short introduction, selected links and suitable visual or stage information together for a promotional task. It need not reproduce every CV detail. A stage conversation may prioritise a live example and stage requirements; a career application may prioritise experience. Make the purpose clear in the title and opening section.
The same information, a different selection
Keep profile information current and choose relevant sections for each output. Work names, dates and credits should remain consistent even when the emphasis changes. Profile publication, CV access and search-engine visibility are separate choices. Decide what to send by checking the recipient, purpose, sharing scope and access to source links together.
Use the relevant tool
CV · EPK · Profile / portfolio
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Sources and scope
These sources provide general context. Product instructions refer to MusicianCV; the examples and explanations here are original.