I have played in jazz clubs for an audience of 20 where the inspiration and creative energy were palpable. At the same time, I have played gigantic venues for thousands of people with some of the most famous artists where the over all feeling was sterile and uninspired. What is “big” and what is powerful has much less to do with external circumstances than we are led to believe. If you are called to do something “small” and inspired, then the satisfaction that you get from that will be greater than what a more prestigious and “valid” position will offer you. We can gain graspable things from these prestigious positions - knowledge, experience, financial resources - but the most satisfaction, by far will come from following your inner calling. Also remember that large, prestigious institutions are often created from small and inspired experiments.