Do you ever find yourself gripped by stage fright, performance anxiety, or those nervous butterflies before playing in public? If so, you're not alone. The paralyzing fear that can hit before performing can be all too real.

The good news is that you don't have to suffer through it anymore. Performance nerves are not just manageable, but completely conquerable!

My aim is to help you play in public with confidence, even finding joy in performing!

In this transformative 8-week course, we'll explore innovative strategies, insider tips, and proven techniques to help you not just cope, but thrive under pressure. Drawing from the latest insights in neuroscience and psychology, we'll decode the mysteries behind stage fright and uncover actionable solutions.

You’ll also be given a safe, encouraging and supportive forum to begin exploring performing, so that you can put the tools you are learning into practice.

By the end of our journey together, you'll possess a powerful toolkit to revolutionize your approach to performing, helping you perform with confidence and enjoyment.

COURSE DURATION

8 Sessions

LEVEL

Open to all levels of player

CLASS TIME

Sunday 8:15 - 9:30pm (UK time)

COURSE DATES

Apr 21, 28, May 12, 26, Jun 2, 9, 16, 23

CLASS FORMAT

Zoom

What’s in the course?

I will give you a course book and guide you through it over eight weeks. In each group meeting we will talk through the ideas of the week’s material. Each week I will set you some homework, which will help embed the good practice habits and good thinking that we talk about in the meetings. In each session you will also be given a safe, encouraging and supportive opportunity to begin exploring performing, so that you can put the tools you are learning into practice.

This course will involve some deep thinking and reflecting, and to get the most out of the course you will need to complete the exercises that I set. But by the end of the course I will have given you strategies to help:

• Have a positive and calm attitude towards high pressure situations;

• Develop a positive relationship with your audience, whether that’s just 1 or many people;

• Feel ‘in control’ of your performance;

• Deal constructively with feedback.
  

Week 1: Understanding Performance Anxiety

• Introduction to the course and its objectives

• Defining performance anxiety and its common symptoms

• Exploring the psychological and physiological aspects of performance anxiety

• Identifying personal triggers for performance anxiety in harp players

• Introducing the concept of mindset and its impact on performance anxiety

Week 2: Breathing and Relaxation Techniques

• The importance of breath control in managing anxiety

• Practical exercises for deep breathing and relaxation tailored for harp players

• Incorporating mindfulness techniques to calm nerves before performances

• Developing a personalized relaxation routine for pre-performance anxiety relief

Week 3: Visualization and Mental Rehearsal

• Understanding the power of visualization in performance preparation

• Guided visualization exercises specifically designed for harpists

• Incorporating mental rehearsal techniques to build confidence and reduce anxiety

• Using imagery to create positive performance experiences in the mind

Week 4: Goal Setting and Positive Self-Talk

• Setting realistic performance goals to alleviate anxiety

• Techniques for reframing negative self-talk into positive affirmations

• Identifying and challenging unhelpful beliefs about performance

• Creating a personalized toolkit of positive coping statements for challenging situations

Week 5: Performance Preparation Strategies

• Effective practice techniques for building confidence and reducing anxiety

• Structuring practice sessions to simulate performance conditions

• Developing rituals and routines to establish a sense of control before performances

• Strategies for managing performance nerves on the day of the event

Week 6: Coping with Mistakes and Setbacks

• Normalizing mistakes as part of the performance experience

• Techniques for recovering from mistakes during performances

• Building resilience and maintaining focus after setbacks

• Cultivating a growth mindset towards performance improvement

Week 7: Building Performance Confidence

• Reflecting on personal strengths and achievements as a harpist

• Cultivating a sense of self-efficacy through positive experiences

• Strategies for building confidence gradually through progressive exposure to performance situations

• Celebrating progress and milestones along the way

Week 8: Integration and Moving Forward

• Reviewing progress and insights gained throughout the course

• Creating a personalized performance anxiety management plan for the future

• Identifying ongoing support systems and resources for maintaining progress

• Setting intentions for continued growth and development as a confident harpist

Each week can include a combination of talks, guided exercises, practical assignments, and discussions to engage participants actively in the learning process and provide them with tangible strategies to overcome performance anxiety.

* The course is limited to 20 participants so book soon to avoid disappointment!

FAQs

What if I can't attend live? If possible, attending live in encouraged, as that way you can take active part in the discussions and performance opportunities. Bu if you can’t make a class, everything will be recorded, so you can catch up in your own time!

How long will the resources be available?

You will get access to recordings and the workbook indefinitely

What level do I need to be? The course is open to all levels of player, from beginner right up to professional. The tools we will look at work for all abilities.