The Mind Over Finger Podcast

088 Efficient Practice Planning with Dr. Renée-Paule Gauthier This winter, I’m bringing you a series of four episodes about building your amazing practice. In this series, I'll be covering many of the components that I think are essential in having a great productive practice session.  At least, for me! I'll be talking about planning and scheduling, priming for an efficient practice, building a great warmup regimen, and, finally, I’ll take you through my favorite practice session breakdown. This episode is all about planning and scheduling efficiently for better results.  I share strategies on how to plan for productive practice and how to schedule it in a way that maximizes your time so you can operate at the highest level possible.   THE MUSIC MASTERY EXPERIENCE will be back in June 2021!  This is my LIFE CHANGING, highly personalized group coaching program where I show you how to implement mindful & effective practice techniques, how to make them habits, and how to get RESULTS. Save your spot at http://www.mindoverfinger.com/mme and get access to some really cool bonuses!   Join the Mind Over Finger Tribe for access to my weekly live videos and to exchange with a community of like-minded musicians!   Visit www.mindoverfinger.com and sign up for my newsletter to get your free guide to an exceptionally productive practice using the metronome!  This guide is the perfect entry point to help you bring more mindfulness and efficiency into your practice and it’s filled with tips and tricks on how to use that wonderful tool to take your practicing and your playing to new heights!   If you enjoyed the show, please leave a review on iTunes!  I truly appreciate your support!     THANK YOU: A HUGE thank you to my fantastic producer, Bella Kelly, who works really hard to make this podcast as pleasant to listen to as possible for you! Most sincere thank you to composer Jim Stephenson who graciously provided the show’s musical theme!  Concerto #1 for Trumpet and Chamber Orchestra – Movement 2: Allegro con Brio, performed by Jeffrey Work, trumpet, and the Lake Forest Symphony, conducted by Jim Stephenson. Thank you to Susan Blackwell for the introduction!  You can find out more about Susan, her fantastic podcast The Spark File, and her work helping creatives of all backgrounds expand their impact by visiting https://www.susanblackwell.com/home.   MIND OVER FINGER: www.mindoverfinger.com https://www.facebook.com/mindoverfinger/ https://www.instagram.com/mindoverfinger/

In this episode, Dr. Kimberly Hankins, discusses the multiple benefits of breathwork.  She elaborates on: How she came to discover yoga and breathwork and how it helped her discover her own voice How the breath is central to all systems in the body and to how we interact with the world How Breathwork affects the nervous system Why the goal is not always to be calm: the goal is to react to stress in an appropriate way The difference between pranayama and other different styles of breathwork How breathwork can help musicians in their various functions … and much more! Dr Hankins is also going to guides us through a couple of breathing exercises that you can easily replicate as needed!   Frustrated with your playing?  Unsatisfied with you career?  Ready for a change? Whatever your challenge, you don't have to go at it alone, and I can help.  Visit www. https://www.mindoverfinger.com/workwithme to learn more and book your call and let’s discuss how to get you from where you are to where you want to be!   I’m also incredibly happy to announce that THE MUSIC MASTERY EXPERIENCE will be back in June 2021!  This is my life changing, highly personalized group coaching program where I show you how to implement mindful & effective practice techniques, how to make them habits, and how to get RESULTS in the practice room, the teaching studio, and on stage! Save your spot at http://www.mindoverfinger.com/mme!     MORE ABOUT KIMBERLY HANKINS: Website: www.thealignedmusician.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thealignedmusician/ Kimberly Hankins is a Trauma-Informed Yoga Teacher and Breathwork Facilitator. Combining her passions for both music and yoga, she performs sound meditations on viola and helps musicians find freedom while performing through movement, meditation, and breathwork. As a Musicians Wellness Content Creator, she works to remove the stigma associated with playing-related injuries, chronic pain, and mental health-related issues.       SOME PRANAYAMA & BREATHWORK PRACTICES: 5 Step-By-Step Breathing Exercises For Beginners: https://yogalondon.net/monkey/5-beginner-breathing-exercises/ Sukha Purvaka Pranayama:  https://www.yogapedia.com/definition/8904/sukha-purvaka-pranayama The Power of Breathing: 4 Pranayama Techniques Worth Practicing: https://www.onemedical.com/blog/live-well/breathing-pranayama-techniques Stress Management: Breathing Exercises for Relaxation: https://www.uofmhealth.org/health-library/uz2255 Wim Hof method: https://www.wimhofmethod.com/breathing-exercises       Join the Mind Over Finger Tribe for access to my weekly live videos and to exchange with a community of like-minded musicians! Visit www.mindoverfinger.com and sign up for my newsletter to get your free guide to an exceptionally productive practice using the metronome!  This guide is the perfect entry point to help you bring more mindfulness and efficiency into your practice and it’s filled with tips and tricks on how to use that wonderful tool to take your practicing and your playing to new heights!   If you enjoyed the show, please leave a review on iTunes!  I truly appreciate your support!     THANK YOU: A HUGE thank you to my fantastic producer, Bella Kelly, who works really hard to make this podcast as pleasant to listen to as possible for you! Most sincere thank you to composer Jim Stephenson who graciously provided the show’s musical theme!  Concerto #1 for Trumpet and Chamber Orchestra – Movement 2: Allegro con Brio, performed by Jeffrey Work, trumpet, and the Lake Forest Symphony, conducted by Jim Stephenson. Thank you to Susan Blackwell for the introduction!  You can find out more about Susan, her fantastic podcast The Spark File, and her work helping creatives of all backgrounds expand their impact by visiting https://www.susanblackwell.com/home.   MIND OVER FINGER: www.mindoverfinger.com https://www.facebook.com/mindoverfinger/ https://www.instagram.com/mindoverfinger/    

Whether you want to rock the stage for your next performance, win an audition, land your dream job, transform your teaching studio, or start a new music business: IT’S POSSIBLE! And this episode will help you set things up for your massive success! You will walk away with: A renewed vision for the future Clear goals and specific strategies to implement and create an incredible musical reality for yourself Unwavering confidence in your ability to succeed A feeling of dedication to the process The motivation to get started and, more importantly, to KEEP GOING!   Gear Up for 2021!   Links: Gear Up 2021! Handout: www.mindoverfinger.com/resources Mind Over Finger Podcast Episode #71 – Motivation: https://www.mindoverfinger.com/podcast/episode/b4c36827/071-motivation-with-dr-renee-paule-gauthier Blog post about the Argument of the Growing Heap: https://www.mindoverfinger.com/post/the-growing-heap   Frustrated with your playing?  Unsatisfied with you career?  Ready for a change? Whatever your challenge, you don't have to go at it alone and I CAN HELP!  Visit https://www.mindoverfinger.com/workwithme  to learn more and book your call! Let’s discuss how to get you from where you are to WHERE YOU WANT TO BE!   Visit www.mindoverfinger.com and sign up for my newsletter to get your free guide to an incredibly productive practice using the metronome!  This guide is the perfect entry point to help you bring more mindfulness and efficiency into your practice and it’s filled with tips and tricks on how to use that wonderful tool to take your practicing and your playing to new heights!   Don’t forget to visit the Mind Over Finger Resources’ page to check out amazing books recommended by my podcast guests, as well as my favorite websites, cds, the podcasts I like to listen to, and the practice and podcasting tools I use everyday!  Find it here: www.mindoverfinger.com/resources!   Join the Mind Over Finger Tribe for additional resources on practice and performing If you enjoyed the show, please leave a review on iTunes!  I truly appreciate your support!     THANK YOU: A HUGE thank you to my fantastic producer, Bella Kelly! Most sincere thank you to composer Jim Stephenson who graciously provided the show’s musical theme!  Concerto #1 for Trumpet and Chamber Orchestra – Movement 2: Allegro con Brio, performed by Jeffrey Work, trumpet, and the Lake Forest Symphony, conducted by Jim Stephenson. Thank you to Susan Blackwell for the introduction!  You can find out more about Susan, her fantastic podcast The Spark File, and her work helping creatives of all backgrounds expand their impact by visiting https://www.susanblackwell.com/home.   MIND OVER FINGER: www.mindoverfinger.com https://www.facebook.com/mindoverfinger/ https://www.instagram.com/mindoverfinger/    

In this episode, I speak with world-class pianist and composer Kenny Werner who’s prolific output of compositions, recordings and publications continue to impact audiences around the world, and author of the impactful book, Effortless Mastery, Liberating the Master Musician Within.  In our conversation, Kenny expands on: His incredible journey, leading to the exploration of effortless mastery How the need to play well is the thing we should – yet will never – surrender How focus behaves like water How to let “the master” play Fear-based practicing and performing How detachment can help us play better than ever & where lack of flow in performance comes from Effortless Mastery in a nutshell: Go into the space (it’s easier than you think, and Kenny shows us how…) and play a note in that state Move around the instrument freely while in that space (think Ouija Board! Or try playing something as fast as possible.) Play something you know really well in that state of effortless mastery Practice in that state (and the state becomes your teacher!)   Kenny is an artist and pedagogue of great depth and I know the things he talks about today could transform your approach to practicing and performing!      Frustrated with your playing?  Unsatisfied with you career?  Ready for a change? Whatever your challenge, you don't have to go at it alone and I CAN HELP!  Visit https://www.mindoverfinger.com/workwithme  to learn more and book your call so we can discuss how to get you from where you are to WHERE YOU WANT TO BE!     MORE ABOUT KENNY WERNER: Website: https://kennywerner.com/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCgHDUXumPbIfYbCcMozdEYg Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/kennywerner Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kennywernermusic Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/effortlessmastery/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/kennywerner   For Kenny’s full discography and credit list, click here.  For Kenny’s educational credits, awards, published works and educational videos, click here.  For musician and press quotes about Kenny, click here.   Biography   Kenny Werner is a world-class pianist and composer. His prolific output of compositions, recordings and publications continue to impact audiences around the world. Kenny was recently awarded the 2010 Guggenheim Fellowship Award for his seminal work, No Beginning No End. No Beginning No End is a musical journey exploring tragedy and loss, death and transition, and the path from one lifetime to the next. Utilizing over 70 musicians, Kenny's third album for Half Note Records is an expansive composition featuring Joe Lovano, Judy Silvano, Wind Ensemble, Choir and String Quartet. Born in Brooklyn, NY on November 19, 1951 and then growing up in Oceanside, Long Island, Kenny began playing and performing at a young age, first recording on television at the age of 11. Although he studied classical piano as a child, he enjoyed playing anything he heard on the radio. In high school and his first years of college he attended the Manhattan School of Music as a classical piano major. His natural instinct for improvisation led Kenny to the Berklee School of Music in 1970. There he sought tutelage of the renowned piano teacher Madame Chaloff. Her gracious wisdom and inspiration became a driving force in Kenny's conception: music conscious of its spiritual intent and essence. From Boston, Kenny traveled to Brazil with the saxophonist Victor Assis Brasil. There he met Victor's twin brother, Brazilian pianist Joao Assis Brasil. He studied with Joao, who provided another piece of the puzzle for Kenny's conception that would lead to Effortless Mastery, his landmark opus on how to allow the master musician from within to manifest. Kenny started his own trio in 1981 with drummer Tom Rainey and bassist Ratzo Harris. The Kenny Werner Trio matured for fourteen years, wowing audiences in America and Europe and recording four albums along the way. Kenny had written many original compositions featuring trios and other small group configurations, but in the mid 1980s, he became the pianist for the Mel Lewis Orchestra (currently known as the Village Vanguard Orchestra). Challenged by Mel and Bob Brookmeyer to write for the band, he produced his first compositions and arrangements for jazz orchestra, consequently leading him to write for the major bands in Europe including the Cologne, Danish, and Stockholm Jazz Orchestras, The Umo Jazz Orchestra of Finland and several times as the guest composer and soloist with the Metropole Orchestra of Holland. Since then Werner has had many commissions to write for large ensembles such as jazz orchestras, full orchestras and most recently, wind ensemble, choir and string quartet as featured on his latest CD, No Beginning, No End. Several outstanding musical partnerships began in the 1990s. Kenny continues to play duo with Toots Thielemans, the legendary harmonica player. For twenty years he has played with and arranged for Betty Buckley, a Broadway legend. They made six albums together and she has sung his arrangements for small band and orchestras across the globe.  He also has had a nearly forty-year friendship and musical collaboration with Joe Lovano. They have recorded on a number of each other's projects. In 2000, Kenny formed a new trio with Ari Hoenig on drums and Johannes Weidenmueller on bass.  They played nearly a decade together and released three albums, with Kenny acting as composer, arranger, and pianist.  Their last album, Peace - Live at the Blue Note, released in 2004, began a wonderful relationship with Half Note Records, the recording arm of the Blue Note Jazz Club.  He created three CDs before the release of his masterpiece, No Beginning No End.  In 2007, Kenny Werner released his first album for Blue Note Records. Lawn Chair Society, featuring Chris Potter, Dave Douglas, Scott Colley, and Brian Blade, received critical acclaim for its fusion of electro and acoustic elements. Kenny's groundbreaking work on Improvisation, Effortless Mastery - Liberating the Master Musician Within, was published in 1996. Using his life experiences as a microscope into the artist's mind, Effortless Mastery is a guide to distill the emotional, spiritual, and psychological aspects of an artists' life. Today it is one of the most widely read books on music and improvisation. The book is a required reading at many universities. Werner, without intention, touched off a revolution of inspiring musicians to do inner work on the mind, body, and soul in attempt to upgrade their musical experience from the mundane to the profound. The book is also popular with artists of other mediums and business professionals.  Kenny continues to teach and give clinics in the United States and abroad. He is currently on the Jazz Piano Faculty at New York University.     Visit www.mindoverfinger.com and sign up for my newsletter to get your free guide to a super productive practice using the metronome!  This guide is the perfect entry point to help you bring more mindfulness and efficiency into your practice and it’s filled with tips and tricks on how to use that wonderful tool to take your practicing and your playing to new heights!   Don’t forget to visit the Mind Over Finger Resources’ page to check out amazing books recommended by my podcast guests, as well as my favorite websites, cds, the podcasts I like to listen to, and the practice and podcasting tools I use everyday!  Find it here: www.mindoverfinger.com/resources!   Join the Mind Over Finger Tribe for additional resources on practice and performing If you enjoyed the show, please leave a review on iTunes!  I truly appreciate your support!     THANK YOU: A HUGE thank you to my fantastic producer, Bella Kelly! Most sincere thank you to composer Jim Stephenson who graciously provided the show’s musical theme!  Concerto #1 for Trumpet and Chamber Orchestra – Movement 2: Allegro con Brio, performed by Jeffrey Work, trumpet, and the Lake Forest Symphony, conducted by Jim Stephenson. Thank you to Susan Blackwell for the introduction!  You can find out more about Susan, her fantastic podcast The Spark File, and her work helping creatives of all backgrounds expand their impact by visiting https://www.susanblackwell.com/home.   MIND OVER FINGER: www.mindoverfinger.com https://www.facebook.com/mindoverfinger/ https://www.instagram.com/mindoverfinger/    

In this episode, I share with you the conversation I had with Angela Ezeonyeka and Andrew Coleman on their show - The Musician’s Toolbox Podcast. With the Musician’s Toolbox Podcast, Andrew and Angela aim to equip musicians with the information, inspiration, and imagination to pursue and achieve a career in music.  And they do this by interviewing professionals in the industry and exposing listeners to all facets of a musician's life. We cover a lot of ground in our chat, including mindful and effective practicing, anxiety management, and audition preparation. I had a great time speaking with Angela and Andrew and I hope you find tons of value in our discussion!  And when you’re done with the episode, don’t forget to head to themusicianstoolboxpodcast.com or search for the musician’s toolbox podcast in your favorite podcast player and make sure to check out their wonderful content.   Frustrated with your playing?  Unsatisfied with you career?  Ready for a change? Whatever your challenge, you don't have to go at it alone, and I can help.  Visit www. https://www.mindoverfinger.com/workwithme to learn more and book your call and let’s discuss how to get you from where you are to where you want to be!     MORE ABOUT ANGELA, ANDREW, AND THE MUSICIAN’S TOOLBOX PODCAST: Website: https://www.themusicianstoolboxpodcast.com YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCvFWEGoy67ZiU62tRuNt3iQ?view_as=subscriber Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/themusicianstoolbox Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/themusicianstoolbox/   The vision of Musician’s Toolbox is to equip musicians with the information, inspiration, and imagination to pursue and achieve a career in music by finding professionals in the industry, interviewing them, and exposing listeners to all facets of a musician's life. Additionally, Musician’s Toolbox will showcase a contemporary composer monthly (or as regularly as possible) to further listeners’ understanding and appreciation for contemporary music.     ANGELA EZEONYEKA Angela Ezeonyeka is a multi-faceted musician currently residing in Port Hueneme, CA.  Her formal education began with a Bachelors of Music from Brigham Young University, emphasizing in Viola Performance.  In 2010, she relocated to UCSB to study viola with Helen Callus in her graduate studies which she completed in 2016.  While in her graduate studies, she performed for famous artists including Yo-Yo Ma, Gil Shaham, and members of the Silk Road Ensemble as a member of the Young Artists String Quartet in Residence. Angela’s freelance work includes teaching and coaching for Santa Barbara Strings and Santa Barbara Symphony youth education programs, private studio instruction for piano, violin, viola, and beginning cello, studio recording, orchestra gigs with numerous orchestras along the coast, and performing for weddings and special events with the Santa Barbara String Quartet.  Angela has performed on a few television programs like The Amazing Race Season 28 Finale Episode with the String Quartet. From a young age, Angela has been interested in many different genres and styles of music.  This interest makes her adaptable and desirable for recording artists in the studio.  She has recorded on albums in folk, singer-songwriter, reggae, Irish, and Bluegrass.   ANDREW COLEMAN From a young age, Andrew Coleman has always loved music. As an 18-month-old, young Andrew sat unmoving while his aunt's student played "Rhapsody in Blue" during a masterclass. Just a few years later at the ripe age of 4, Andrew gave his full attention to a family rehearsal of Schumann's Piano Quintet in E-Flat Major. Starting at age 6, Andrew began learning the piano from his grandma. From family reunions, to living rooms, to funerals, music is an essential piece that not only makes up a part of Andrew, but the entire family. Most of Andrew's years developing his career as a musician are in front of him; yet, his beginning years are still full of achievement. Through his childhood and teenage years, Andrew developed a love for the piano, and Andrew is currently studying with Sue Miller at the College of Southern Idaho and will graduate in May 2021. In October of 2018, he performed with the Magic Valley Symphony. At the beginning of his college years, he was a part of many ensembles at the College of Southern Idaho including, CSI Honors Chamber Quintet and Magic Valley Chorale. During the 2020 pandemic and shutdown, Andrew and cousin Michael produced an online senior recital. Andrew also competed, and won, in the 2020 international at-home-edition of #PlaywithRay. Recently, Andrew co-founded "Musician's Toolbox" with his cousin, Angela Ezeonyeka, whose goal is to equip musicians with the tools to achieve a career in music.     Join the Mind Over Finger Tribe for access to my weekly live videos and to exchange with a community of like-minded musicians!   Visit www.mindoverfinger.com and sign up for my newsletter to get your free guide to an exceptionally productive practice using the metronome!  This guide is the perfect entry point to help you bring more mindfulness and efficiency into your practice and it’s filled with tips and tricks on how to use that wonderful tool to take your practicing and your playing to new heights!   If you enjoyed the show, please leave a review on iTunes!  I truly appreciate your support!     THANK YOU: Most sincere thank you to composer Jim Stephenson who graciously provided the show’s musical theme!  Concerto #1 for Trumpet and Chamber Orchestra – Movement 2: Allegro con Brio, performed by Jeffrey Work, trumpet, and the Lake Forest Symphony, conducted by Jim Stephenson. Thank you to Susan Blackwell for the introduction!  You can find out more about Susan, her fantastic podcast The Spark File, and her work helping creatives of all backgrounds expand their impact by visiting https://www.susanblackwell.com/home. Also a HUGE thank you to my fantastic producer, Bella Kelly!   MIND OVER FINGER: www.mindoverfinger.com https://www.facebook.com/mindoverfinger/ https://www.instagram.com/mindoverfinger/    

Emotional Freedom Technique specialist and coach Jenny Clift talks to us about this powerful modality and how it can help musicians become more productive and handle emotions in an effective way. Tapping information and resources: https://abetterlifetapping.com/eft-tapping/   MORE ABOUT JENNY CLIFT: Website: https://abetterlifetapping.com/ YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCMK-XV7QjEKh6FvJnBaajcw Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/abetterlifetapping/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jennyclift.coach/ Jenny’s book – The Music Inside: https://www.amazon.com/Music-Inside-Techniques-Potential-Fulfilling/dp/1523404744/ref=sr_1_1 Jenny Clift is a classically-trained violinist, and an EFT Tapping Coach, based in Madrid, Spain. She is passionate about working with musicians, stage artists and coaches from all over the world, to help them achieve success, wealth, joy, and inner peace. Having experienced lots of stops and starts in her own musical career Jenny feels strongly about helping others who’ve gone through similar things like: Experiences with unsympathetic teachers Traumatic past lessons, auditions, competitions etc Frustration over technical limitations & difficulties Struggles with confidence Self-doubt and lack of belief that you can succeed in this challenging industry… Or just the ‘normal’ blocks and anxiety around auditions, competition, job scarcity, money woes, performance stress etc. Her secret weapon is EFT which stands for Emotional Freedom Techniques, also known as Tapping. EFT is an Energy Healing Technique which uses acupressure points – as in Acupuncture – but, instead of sticking needles into yourself, you tap – on your face and body - to stimulate the points. While doing so, you talk about the issue you are experiencing – and this focus, along with the tapping, helps to clear the energy, and to heal the associated emotions, limiting beliefs and memories, allowing you to move forward with ease and joy. Jenny loves to help individuals and groups to discover and clear the hidden blocks, past and present traumas, and subconscious limiting beliefs around their money, their inner music and their work. This enables and empowers them to take action, achieve their goals, and feel excited, secure and fulfilled in the career that they love. She’s looking forward to sharing this technique with you and to giving you a powerful experience of Tapping. Are you curious to know how EFT Tapping can benefit you? Book your free 30 minute call today!     Frustrated with your playing?  Unsatisfied with you career?  Ready for a change? Whatever you’re facing, I can help.  Visit https://www.mindoverfinger.com/workwithme to book your call and let’s discuss how to get you from where you are to WHERE YOU WANT TO BE!     Join the Mind Over Finger Tribe for access to my weekly live videos and to exchange with a community of like-minded musicians!   Visit www.mindoverfinger.com and sign up for my newsletter to get your free guide to an exceptionally productive practice using the metronome!  This guide is the perfect entry point to help you bring more mindfulness and efficiency into your practice and it’s filled with tips and tricks on how to use that wonderful tool to take your practicing and your playing to new heights!   If you enjoyed the show, please leave a review on iTunes!  I truly appreciate your support!     THANK YOU: Most sincere thank you to composer Jim Stephenson who graciously provided the show’s musical theme!  Concerto #1 for Trumpet and Chamber Orchestra – Movement 2: Allegro con Brio, performed by Jeffrey Work, trumpet, and the Lake Forest Symphony, conducted by Jim Stephenson. Thank you to Susan Blackwell for the introduction!  You can find out more about Susan, her fantastic podcast The Spark File, and her work helping creatives of all backgrounds expand their impact by visiting https://www.susanblackwell.com/home. Also a HUGE thank you to my fantastic producer, Bella Kelly!   MIND OVER FINGER: www.mindoverfinger.com https://www.facebook.com/mindoverfinger/ https://www.instagram.com/mindoverfinger/    

I’m very excited to have world-renowned violinist Leila Josefowicz on the show for you today! As you’ll hear in our discussion, Leila is a profoundly passionate and dedicated musician who approaches her craft with great depth and she shares incredible wisdom with us. Among many things, Leila elaborates on: The power of memorization What the “practice of violin playing” means to her How exploring new repertoire helped her transition out of her “child prodigy” years Her advice to all musicians suffering from lack of motivation The importance of desire and dedication in the cultivation of talent How our need to feel comfortable while performing is counterproductive Vivid mindful practice This is a particularly powerful conversation, and I know you’ll find inspiration and incredible value in this episode.   MORE ABOUT LEILA JOSEFOWICZ: Website: https://www.leilajosefowicz.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LeilaBJo   Find all the details for Leila’s World Premiere performance of ‘la linea evocativa. un disegno per violino solo’ by Matthias Pintscher HERE. On the occasion of ‘George Condo. Internal Riot’ we are honored to host classical violinist Leila Josefowicz in the gallery to perform a new piece of original music in response to ‘George Condo. Internal Riot,’ an exhibition of the artist’s new paintings and works on paper that runs through 23 January 2021 at Hauser & Wirth New York. ‘Music is such a huge part of my life, without it I don’t know if I’d ever have painted anything. There are so many great pieces of music that have inspired me to paint…My favorite thing is to put on a record in the studio and to still be painting without noticing the fact that the music has stopped playing for hours and is just running through my head.’–George Condo The performance comes at an incredibly challenging time for professional musicians. Condo is deeply aware of the adversity they face, and this specially organized event signifies his support for live music and for new ways in which it can reach people. Join us on Friday 20 November 2020 11 am PST / 2 pm EST / 7 pm GMT.  Click here to register. The performance will be streaming live from New York City on hauserwirth.com     Leila’s last Pre-Covid performance in Prague, Performing the Alban Berg Violin Concerto with the Prague Radio Symphony Orchestra:  https://prso.czechradio.eu/leila-josefowicz-and-prso-8179758   Biography Leila Josefowicz’s passionate advocacy of contemporary music for the violin is reflected in her diverse programmes and enthusiasm for performing new works. In recognition of her outstanding achievement and excellence in music, she won the 2018 Avery Fisher Prize and was awarded a prestigious MacArthur Fellowship in 2008, joining prominent scientists, writers and musicians who have made unique contributions to contemporary life. Highlights of Josefowicz’s 2019/20 season include opening the London Symphony Orchestra’s season with Sir Simon Rattle and returning to San Francisco Symphony with the incoming Music Director Esa-Pekka Salonen to perform his Violin Concerto. Further engagements include concerts with Los Angeles Philharmonic, NDR Elbphilharmonie Orchester, Orchestre de la Suisse Romande, Chicago Symphony Orchestra, City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra and the Cleveland and Philadelphia orchestras, where she will be working with conductors at the highest level, including Susanna Mälkki, Matthias Pintscher and John Adams.   A favourite of living composers, Josefowicz has premiered many concertos, including those by Colin Matthews, Steven Mackey and Esa-Pekka Salonen, all written specially for her. This season, she will perform the UK premiere of Helen Grime’s Violin Concerto with the BBC Symphony Orchestra and Dalia Stasevska. Other recent premieres include John Adams’Scheherazade.2 (Dramatic Symphony for Violin and Orchestra) in 2015 with the New York Philharmonic and Alan Gilbert, and Luca Francesconi’s Duende – The Dark Notes in 2014 with Swedish Radio Symphony Orchestra and Susanna Mälkki. Josefowicz enjoyed a close working relationship with the late Oliver Knussen, performing various concerti, including his violin concerto, together over 30 times. Alongside pianist John Novacek, with whom she has enjoyed a close collaboration since 1985, Josefowicz has performed recitals at world-renowned venues such as New York’s Zankel Hall, Washington DC’s Kennedy Center and London’s Wigmore Hall, as well as in Reykjavik, Chicago, San Francisco and Santa Barbara. This season, they appear together at Washington DC’s Library of Congress, New York’s Park Avenue Armory and Amherst College. She will also join Thomas Adès in recital to perform the world premiere of his new violin and piano work at Fondation Louis Vuitton in Paris and the Japanese premiere at the Tokyo Opera City Cultural Foundation. Recent highlights include engagements with the Berliner Philharmoniker, Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra, Washington’s National Symphony Orchestra, Tonhalle-Orchester Zürich and Boston and Finnish Radio symphony orchestras. In summer 2019, Josefowicz took part in a special collaboration between Los Angeles Philharmonic, the Royal Ballet, and Company Wayne McGregor featuring the music of composer-conductor Thomas Adès. Josefowicz has released several recordings, notably for Deutsche Grammophon, Philips/Universal and Warner Classics and was featured on Touch Press’s acclaimed iPadapp, The Orchestra. Her latest recording, released in 2019, features Bernd Alois Zimmermann’s Violin Concerto with the Finnish Radio Symphony Orchestra conducted byHannu Lintu. She has previously received nominations for Grammy Awards for her recordings of Scheherazade.2 with the St Louis Symphony conducted by David Robertson, and Esa-Pekka Salonen’s Violin Concerto with the Finnish Radio Symphony Orchestra conducted by the composer.     Visit www.mindoverfinger.com and sign up for my newsletter to get your free guide to an exceptionally productive practice using the metronome.  This guide is the perfect entry point to help you bring more mindfulness and efficiency into your practice and it’s filled with tips and tricks on how to use that wonderful tool to take your practicing and your playing to new heights. You can check out amazing books recommended by my podcast guests, as well as my favorite websites, cds, the podcasts I like to listen to, and the practice and podcasting tools I use everyday by visiting: www.mindoverfinger.com/resources!   And click here for details on how to work with me: https://www.mindoverfinger.com/workwithdrg   And don’t forget to join the Mind Over Finger Tribe for additional resources on practice and performing!   If you enjoyed the show, please leave a review on iTunes!  I truly appreciate your support!     THANK YOU: Most sincere thank you to composer Jim Stephenson who graciously provided the show’s musical theme!  Concerto #1 for Trumpet and Chamber Orchestra – Movement 2: Allegro con Brio, performed by Jeffrey Work, trumpet, and the Lake Forest Symphony, conducted by Jim Stephenson. Thank you to Susan Blackwell for the introduction!  You can find out more about Susan, her fantastic podcast The Spark File, and her work helping creatives of all backgrounds expand their impact by visiting https://www.susanblackwell.com/home. Also a HUGE thank you to my fantastic producer, Bella Kelly!   MIND OVER FINGER: www.mindoverfinger.com https://www.facebook.com/mindoverfinger/ https://www.instagram.com/mindoverfinger/

Today I’m bringing you a conversation previously aired on the Violin Podcast, hosted by Eric Mrugala.  On the Violin Podcast Eric interviews violinists worldwide on a bi-weekly basis discussing violin news, practice tips, career advice, and their journey with the violin. Now, this was for the Violin Podcast, but it’s valuable information for all musicians, regardless of the instrument. Eric and I talked about How to solve problems in the practice room How to prepare optimally for performances, auditions, and competitions Effective mindful practice that yields results The importance of knowing yourself when it comes to working efficiently …and much more! I hope you enjoy this conversation with Eric Mrugala from the Violin Podcast, and that you find some useful tips and inspiration for your work today! Let’s go to the show!   MORE ABOUT THE VIOLIN PODCAST We interview violinists worldwide on a bi-weekly basis discussing violin news, practice tips, career advice, and their journey with the violin. The podcast: https://violinpodcast.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/violinpodcast/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/violinpodcast Twitter: https://twitter.com/violinpodcast YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCzi3HNgHFQ5ndr9K2OeJYag   Visit www.mindoverfinger.com and sign up for my newsletter to get your free guide to an outstanding practice using the metronome!  This guide is the perfect entry point to help you bring more mindfulness and efficiency into your practice and it’s filled with tips and tricks on how to use that wonderful tool to take your practicing and your playing to new heights.   Join the Mind Over Finger Tribe for additional resources on practice and performing. If you enjoyed the show, please leave a review on iTunes!  I truly appreciate your support!     THANK YOU: Most sincere thank you to composer Jim Stephenson who graciously provided the show’s musical theme!  Concerto #1 for Trumpet and Chamber Orchestra – Movement 2: Allegro con Brio, performed by Jeffrey Work, trumpet, and the Lake Forest Symphony, conducted by Jim Stephenson. Thank you to Susan Blackwell for the introduction!  You can find out more about Susan, her fantastic podcast The Spark File, and her work helping creatives of all backgrounds expand their impact by visiting https://www.susanblackwell.com/home. Also a HUGE thank you to my fantastic producer, Bella Kelly!   MIND OVER FINGER: www.mindoverfinger.com https://www.facebook.com/mindoverfinger/ https://www.instagram.com/mindoverfinger/

For this episode, I bring you a powerful conversation with world-renowned Alexander Technique teacher Lori Schiff. As Lori shares on her website, the Alexander Technique “is a method for living better through your own mindfulness in action.”  It can help you gain confidence and reduce pain, tension and fatigue. It allows you to connect with yourself to nourish presence and mobility and, from there, leads to performing better in all areas of your life. Lori expands on: How Alexander Technique affected her life and her journey Who the Alexander Technique is for What the Alexander Technique is: a method for living that teaches us to pay attention and choose our reactions to stimuli How the Alexander Technique encourages the connection with our self – our wholeness – and the development of conscious control (mind body connector) How the Alexander Technique is a means to more freedom, for the whole person and their whole life How it can help in class and in lessons, in the practice room, and on stage This is an information and inspiration packed episode and I know you will appreciate Lori’s knowledge and wisdom and lover her energy as much as I did!   MORE ABOUT LORI SCHIFF: Website: http://lorischiff.com/ Ms. Schiff is a full-time professor of The Alexander Technique at The Juilliard School and a guest teaching artist for various schools and organizations nationally and internationally. She has been a faculty member of The Juilliard School since 1991 and was in residence at The Aspen Music Festival and School from 1993 - 2015. Ms. Schiff joined The Riverside Initiative for The Alexander Technique as Associate Director and Senior Teacher for Teacher Training in 2018. Ms. Schiff was Certified as a Teacher of the Alexander Technique at ACAT-New York in 1987. She continued with years of postgraduate training with Walter and Dilys Carrington at the Constructive Teaching Centre in London. She is a graduate of the Northwestern University School of Music in Trumpet Performance and has her Masters in Music from Manhattan School of Music. She served as the Alexander Technique Teacher for the Metropolitan Opera Lindemann Young Artists Development Program, and at the 92nd Street Y in New York City. She also served on the senior faculty of the American Center for the Alexander Technique's Teacher Certification Program. Institutions where she has been a guest teaching artist include: The New World Symphony, The U.S. Military Academy Band at West Point, The U.S. Army Field Band and U.S. Army Soldier's Chorus, The San Diego Symphony, ToneBank International Music Festival, National Youth Orchestra of China, University of Maryland Opera Studio, and The Internationale Meistersinger Akademie in Neumarkt, Germany. She has presented Master Classes at institutions including The Metropolitan Opera, Opera America, West Point Military Academy, Fort Meade, The Academy (ACJW) at Carnegie Hall, Manhattan School of Music, Maryland Classic Youth Orchestras, The National Orchestral Institute, The Baltimore Symphony Youth Orchestra and The New York Youth Symphony, Theater Aspen, MorseLife Senior Residences, and Holland and Knight, LLP. In 2013, she assisted in organizing and taught the Alexander Technique for actress and playwright, Anna Deavere Smith's Acting and Empathy course in San Francisco. She returned to San Francisco in 2014 to work with Ms. Smith's course, Personal Narratives: Global Identities. Ms. Schiff is a recognized senior teacher of the Alexander Technique by the American Society for the Alexander Technique and has presented master classes at the AmSAT Annual Meetings in San Francisco, Ann Arbor, Las Vegas, New York City, Boston, and Minneapolis. She was a guest lecturer on Teaching the Alexander Technique in schools of music for The International Congress for the Alexander Technique in Lugano, Switzerland. Ms. Schiff served on the Board of Directors of the Aspen Music Festival and School as Chair of the Music Committee for nine years and was President and Chairman of the Board of The American Center for the Alexander Technique for five years. More recently, she completed two years on the Board of Directors of The American Society for the Alexander Technique. Ms. Schiff has a private Alexander Technique practice in NYC. She is the founding director of Flight Feather Productions, LLC, an organization for creating and supporting uplifting educational experiences for corporate and artistic communities. With composer Lance Horne, she is the Co-Director of Creativity Lab, a program for inspiring community and collaboration through collective creativity. As a committed recreational runner, she has completed four marathons, several half marathons, and countless 10ks, 5 Milers, 4 Milers, and 5ks.   Visit www.mindoverfinger.com and sign up for my newsletter to get your free guide to a super productive practice using the metronome!  This guide is the perfect entry point to help you bring more mindfulness and efficiency into your practice and it’s filled with tips and tricks on how to use that wonderful tool to take your practicing and your playing to new heights! Don’t forget to visit the Mind Over Finger Resources’ page to check out amazing books recommended by my podcast guests, as well as my favorite websites, cds, the podcasts I like to listen to, and the practice and podcasting tools I use everyday!  Find it here: www.mindoverfinger.com/resources!   And don’t forget to join the Mind Over Finger Tribe for additional resources on practice and performing! If you enjoyed the show, please leave a review on iTunes!  I truly appreciate your support!     THANK YOU: Most sincere thank you to composer Jim Stephenson who graciously provided the show’s musical theme!  Concerto #1 for Trumpet and Chamber Orchestra – Movement 2: Allegro con Brio, performed by Jeffrey Work, trumpet, and the Lake Forest Symphony, conducted by Jim Stephenson. Thank you to Susan Blackwell for the introduction!  You can find out more about Susan, her fantastic podcast The Spark File, and her work helping creatives of all backgrounds expand their impact by visiting https://www.susanblackwell.com/home. Also a HUGE thank you to my fantastic producer, Bella Kelly!   MIND OVER FINGER: www.mindoverfinger.com https://www.facebook.com/mindoverfinger/ https://www.instagram.com/mindoverfinger/    

In this inspiring and motivating conversation, National Symphony double bass player Ira Gold shares his wisdom on practicing and on leading a meaningful musical life. Ira expands on: How the things he does are reflections of his passions How serving the community and those who are following the artistic path has become vital part of his career How his career grew out of him making the conscious decision of seriously dedicating himself to his musical education The important of adopting a growth mindset and of being mindful of the information that is available to you and how you can apply it to nurture your long-term goals The importance of being teachable The new metrics he uses to define success How the pandemic has allowed him to take a step back and reflect Practicing strategies: Constructing and deconstructing Adding and subtracting How to bring life experiences into your art – everything you experience and everything you are influences your playing How to maximize your learning experience – in college and beyond       MORE ABOUT IRA: Website: https://irajgold.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BassRabbi   Ira Gold made his Carnegie Hall solo debut in 2011, performing the Vanhal Bass Concerto with the Catholic University of America Symphony Orchestra. Prior to joining the National Symphony in 2005, he performed with several American orchestras, as Section Bass with the Minnesota Orchestra and as guest Principal Bassist with the San Francisco Symphony and Detroit Symphony.  He has attended festivals such as Grand Teton Music Festival, Domaine Forget Music Academy, Bach Festival Leipzig, Aspen, and Tanglewood.  Mr. Gold spent several summers at the International Festival Institute at Round Top both as a student and faculty.  He is continually in demand for recitals and masterclasses, including recent visits at The Colburn School, University of Southern California, The Moscow State Conservatory, Boston University, New England Conservatory, Boston Conservatory, University of Colorado (Boulder), The Juilliard School, Boston University Tanglewood Institute,  The International Society of Bassists Convention, and The Manhattan School of Music.   Mr. Gold maintains a studio of private students, has taught lessons and coached chamber music in the National Symphony Orchestra Youth Fellowship program, and has been a Double Bass Faculty member of Peabody Conservatory since 2009.  He is also a co-founding member of Peabody Bass Works, a one week bass camp held every July at Peabody Conservatory. Mr. Gold has been interviewed multiple times by Jason Heath for the podcast Contrabass Conversations, and more recently as a featured guest on The Audition Breakthrough Summit, which launched in March 2017. In 2016 he published an article for the ISB’s journal Bass World, in which he discusses the qualities of teaching that affect the relationship of teacher and student. An active chamber musician, Mr. Gold has performed with East Coast Chamber Orchestra, the NSO Millenium Stage Prelude Series, Peabody Conservatory Faculty, and the New Orchestra of Washington. He earned his Bachelor of Music degree at Boston University’s College of Fine Arts, and his Master of Music degree at Rice University’s Shepherd School of Music, where he won the strings division of the 2005 Concerto Competition.  His primary teachers include Edwin Barker and Paul Ellison, and additional studies with Albert Laszlo, Kenneth Harper, Dennis Whittaker, Mark Shapiro, and Harry Lantz.   Visit www.mindoverfinger.com and sign up for my newsletter to get your free guide to a super productive practice!  This guide is the perfect entry point to help you bring more mindfulness and efficiency into your practice and it’s filled with tips and tricks on how to use that wonderful tool to take your practicing and your playing to new heights!   And don’t forget to join the Mind Over Finger Tribe for additional resources on practice and performing! If you enjoyed the show, please leave a review on iTunes!  I truly appreciate your support!     THANK YOU: Most sincere thank you to composer Jim Stephenson who graciously provided the show’s musical theme!  Concerto #1 for Trumpet and Chamber Orchestra – Movement 2: Allegro con Brio, performed by Jeffrey Work, trumpet, and the Lake Forest Symphony, conducted by Jim Stephenson. Thank you to Susan Blackwell for the introduction!  You can find out more about Susan, her fantastic podcast The Spark File, and her work helping creatives of all backgrounds expand their impact by visiting https://www.susanblackwell.com/home. Also a HUGE thank you to my fantastic producer, Bella Kelly!   MIND OVER FINGER: www.mindoverfinger.com https://www.facebook.com/mindoverfinger/ https://www.instagram.com/mindoverfinger/