The Mind Over Finger Podcast

In this episode, I speak with Jason Haaheim, principal timpanist with NY's Metropolitan Opera since 2013. We discuss his fascinating journey, going from working full-time as an engineer to holding one of the most coveted position in the world. He applied the principles of deliberate practice in his life in a way that will amaze and inspire you! Jason's experience and insight on deliberate practice and music-making are eye opening! We elaborate on: His unorthodox path – securing a position at the MET How he was exposed to deliberate practice What is "talent?" (Pssst! It's not what you think!) How his playing soared once he figured out what type of practice works for him How deliberate practice is, in essence, applying the scientific method to instrumental learning How refining the technique in a scientific, methodical way, leads us to musicality and expression Why feedback is so crucial in learning and growing as an artist Why essential to be process-focused and how it impacts the end result Why it's up to you and the decision you make over the years Why it pays to be a tenacious loser What the things you can control are How the process never ends (and that's a good thing!) Why we should keep asking questions and how they make us better How his process continues in his career How results are a by-product of the process His audition preparation process – how he organized it and what it involved (have specific goals, a solid plan, record yourself, play mock auditions, get lots of feedback, etc.) How he uses Anders Ericsson's Mental Representation concept How recording ourselves transforms how we pay attention to our playing in real time How he prepares for the opera repertoire ALL ABOUT JASON: Website: https://jasonhaaheim.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jasonhaaheim/ Metropolitan Opera: https://www.metopera.org/ Artful Timpani Auditioning Seminar: https://steinhardt.nyu.edu/music/summer/percussionworkshops/artful_timpani_auditioning Talent is Overrated: What Really Separates World-Class Performers from Everybody Else by Geoff Colvin Peak: Secrets from the New Science of Expertise by Anders Ericsson Jason Haaheim (pronounced HAW-heim) was appointed a Principal Timpanist of the Metropolitan Opera Orchestra in 2013. In addition to performances at New York's Lincoln Center and Carnegie Hall, Mr. Haaheim can be seen and heard performing with the MET Orchestra on television, international radio, and Live in HD movie theater broadcasts. Mr. Haaheim is on faculty at the NYU Steinhardt School of Music and the Bard Conservatory of Music. A sought-after clinician, Mr. Haaheim gives masterclasses both nationally and internationally, and is the founder of the Northland Timpani Summit. He is also a frequent coach for The Orchestra Now (TON), the Carnegie Hall National Youth Orchestra (NYO), and the New York Youth Symphony (NYYS). Mr. Haaheim's guest principal timpanist engagements have included the Seoul Philharmonic, the Mostly Mozart Festival Orchestra, and the Milwaukee Symphony. He has also been principal timpanist of the Lakes Area Music Festival, and a resident artist of the Twickenham Festival. Prior to the Met, Mr. Haaheim was principal timpanist of the Southwest Michigan Symphony and the Civic Orchestra of Chicago, and he performed regularly as timpanist with the Madison Symphony, Illinois Symphony, Peoria Symphony, and the Illinois Philharmonic. Mr. Haaheim has also been invited to perform as guest principal timpanist with the Chicago Symphony, the Detroit Symphony, the International Contemporary Ensemble (ICE), the Glimmerglass Festival, the Auckland Philharmonia, the Fort Wayne Philharmonic, and the Hong Kong Philharmonic. Mr. Haaheim began studying piano in 4th grade, adding percussion studies in 5th grade. He holds a bachelor of arts degree with a double major in honors-music-performance and physics from Gustavus Adolphus College (St. Peter, MN); he also holds a master's degree in electrical engineering from UC-Santa Barbara. Influential teachers have included John Tafoya (Indiana University, National Symphony), Dean Borghesani (Milwaukee Symphony), Jonathan Haas (Aspen Music Festival, NYU), and Robert Adney (Gustavus Adolphus College, MacPhail Music School). While auditioning and freelancing, Mr. Haaheim worked as "Senior Research and Development Engineer" at NanoInk, a Chicago-area tech company. In this capacity, he gave invited talks on nanotechnology, authored multiple peer-reviewed publications, and was granted numerous patents. In 2017, this dual-career path was highlighted in an interview with Melissa Block on NPR's Weekend Edition. Active in all musical areas, Mr. Haaheim has also performed extensively as a chamber musician and jazz drummer. He collaborated with Yo-Yo Ma in a Civic Orchestra / Silk Road Ensemble performance, and recorded the premiere of Augusta Read Thomas's "Terpsichore's Dream" with members of the Chicago Symphony. Mr. Haaheim has performed with Chicago's ensemble dal niente, and premiered Ryosuke Yagi's "Mirrors…for timpani" with the UCSB Ensemble of Contemporary Music. Other projects have included drumming for the jazz-fusion quartet "The J3 Intent" and the alt-country band "The Lost Cartographers." At Gustavus, Mr. Haaheim was selected for the honors recital and won first place in the orchestra's concerto competition. Extra-musical interests include backpacking and hiking, rock climbing, and both downhill and cross-country skiing. If you enjoyed the show, please leave a review on iTunes! I truly appreciate your support! Visit www.mindoverfinger.com for information about past and future podcasts, and for more resources on mindful practice. 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. Also a huge thank you to my producer, Bella Kelly! MIND OVER FINGER: www.mindoverfinger.com https://www.facebook.com/mindoverfinger/ https://www.facebook.com/groups/mindoverfingertribe (As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases, which helps cover some of the costs associated with the production of the podcast. Thank you for your support.)

In this episode, I chat with Marina Thibeault, solo violist and chamber musician. We discuss mindfulness, presence, and efficiency in the practice room, the importance of letting the music sing when we play, and her upcoming new recording featuring works by women composers. Her and I also have a little surprise for our French speaking listeners: we will continue the discussion in French following the English! Marina's approach to music making is authentic and fresh, and her insight on musicality is spot on! I'm sure you will enjoy her point of view and get a lot of value from this episode! Marina elaborates on: Her beginnings on the violin, deeply rooted in French Canadian folk music How yoga was an integral part of her violin routine from the very beginning Her studies, from the Quebec Conservatory to the Curtis Institute, studying with Michael Tree When and why she switched to viola Her work with a sport psychologist How she plans her practice How knowing yourself is important in planning your work How planning helps her being more present in her practice and keeps her focused What being present in the practice room means to her: listening and singing Her advice on how to start listening to ourselves How working on musicality is more like "option adventure" rather than "problem-solving" How it was to work with Michael Tree – how he trusted and nurtured all of his students, and how he was teaching "a lifestyle" How she picked the pieces for her upcoming album: all written by female composers How she feels there's a need for more room for female composers How she practiced creativity and feeling free in the practice room in preparation for her first album How being a good human is good! 😉 How finding balance between pursuing artistry and self-marketing is important, and how crucial it is to keep playing music for the right reasons How her son is her secret weapon How important it is to be selective with the advice we CHOOSE to listen to ALL ABOUT MARINA: Marina's Website / site web Facebook Instagram YouTube The video when her son joins her and Wallis Giunta on stage for a performance: adorable! The Art of Practicing: A Guide to Making Music from the Heart by Madeline Bruser Jiro Dreams of Sushi Marina Thibeault holds numerous honours and distinctions, including prizes from the Père-Lindsay Foundation (2017), "Révélation Radio-Canada" (2016-2017), CBC's "30 hot classical musicians under 30" (2016), and the Sylva Gelber Foundation (2016). She won first prize in the string category of Prix d'Europe (2015), the McGill Concerto Competition (2015), the Radio-Canada "Young Artist" prize (2007) as well a special prize at the Beethoven Hradec International Viola Competition (2008). During the 2018-2019 season, Marina will make her debuts in Toronto, Los Angeles, Cleveland, Seoul, East Europe, and Costa Rica, travelling with her partner and her two children. Marina's first album, Toquade, was released in April 2017 on the ATMA label, and was nominated by the ADISQ and Prix Opus for "album of the year". Marina has appeared internationally as a soloist with the North Czech Philharmonic, the Mariánské Lázně Symphony Orchestra, the Santiago Chamber Orchestra, as well as in recital at the Verbier festival and in Québec with the Orchestre Métropolitain, the Appassionata Chamber Orchestra, and the Drummondville Symphony, to mention a few. An avid chamber musician, Marina has collaborated with members of the Guarneri Quartet, the Cleveland Quartet, the London Haydn Quartet, Marie-Nicole Lemieux, amongst other renowned chamber musicians. Her interest in new music has led her to work with composers such as John Corigliano, Joan Tower, and Krzysztof Penderecki. At 9 years old, she was the youngest violin student to enter the Conservatoire de Musique de Québec where she studied with Claude Létourneau, Catherine Dallaire, and François Paradis. She holds a bachelor's degree from the Curtis Institute of Music, where she studied with professors Michael Tree and Roberto Diaz. In order to deepen her studies, she attended the Conservatorio della Svizzera italiana under the tutelage of Bruno Giuranna, with the help of the Canada Council of the Arts and the Eskas Scholarship. Marina holds a Master's degree from McGill University, where she studied with André Roy. Also at McGill, she is currently a doctoral candidate, as well as viola and chamber music instructor. Since the summer of 2018, Marina has coordinated the chamber music program at Domaine Forget, QC, where she will also begin teaching viola in the summer of 2019. Marina plays on an 1767 Carlo Ferdinand Landolfi, with a W.E Hill Sons bow, generously loaned by Canimex. 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. Also a huge thank you to my producer, Bella Kelly! MIND OVER FINGER – Dr. Renée-Paule Gauthier: www.mindoverfinger.com https://www.facebook.com/mindoverfinger/ https://www.facebook.com/groups/mindoverfingertribe/

In this episode, Paul Merkelo, principal trumpet with the Montreal Symphony, active soloist, pedagogue, and philanthropist, talks about how, as musicians, we need to take ownership of our careers, nurture opportunities, focus on developing out artistry and our voice, and have a "quality over quantity" approach to practicing. Paul offers amazing insight, great practicing tips, and extremely valuable advice on how to take your playing and career to the next level. He elaborates on: His experience as principal trumpet of the New Orleans Symphony How the orchestra's bankruptcy prompted his first ventures in the self-marketing world and opened the door for his entrepreneurial spirit How social media can help promote artists, if done the right way and if one is offering high value How, as musicians, we need to take ownership of our careers, nurture opportunies, and put together our own projects The way he sees himself as an artist and why the different projects he pursues keep him energized and inspired How he advises young artists to not just focus on their careers, but to focus on their artistry, their personality, and their voice How we need to be proactive for our dream ideas to come to life – his own example of how he made a solo recording with the Montreal Symphony happen How a "quality over quantity" approach to practicing is crucial How he uses a timer to stay focused and organized in the practice room How he selects his fundamental work to fit the needs of the repertoire he is working on How he shapes a practice session/day How he uses "PSP" when doing isolation work: 1) Precision 2) Speed 3) Power How we need to "practice our nerves" ALL ABOUT PAUL: Paul Merkelo's website Paul's YouTube channel Facebook page Instagram profile Montreal Symphony Orchestra Paul's recordings Tomasi / Desenclos / Jolivet: French Trumpet Concertos with the Montreal Symphony A Simple Song Baroque Transcriptions: Trumpet & Organ Tunable app The Talent Code: Greatness Isn't Born. It's Grown. Here's How. by Daniel Coyle Renowned as one of the finest trumpet players of his generation, Paul Merkelo is recognized for his 'pure technical prowess'' (Rochester Democrat & Chronicle) as well as his ''unusual lyrical gifts'' (Gramophone). Principal trumpet with the Orchestre symphonique de Montréal since 1995, Mr. Merkelo is regularly praised by the Montreal press as ''a spectacular soloist… a most impressive master of his instrument'' (Montreal Gazette), a "great virtuoso… dazzling'' (La Presse). He has been featured frequently with the OSM, including tours to South America and Lincoln Center in New York. He has been featured with orchestras, and in recital, throughout the United States, Canada, Russia, China, Japan, Portugal, Brazil, Venezuela, Peru, France and Thailand. He has been featured with orchestras, and in recital, throughout the United States, Canada, Russia, China, Japan, Portugal, Brazil, Venezuela, Peru, France and Thailand. In 1999, he was appointed Canadian musical ambassador to China for the inauguration of the Montreal Park in Shanghai, and as soloist with the Shanghai Broadcast Orchestra in a national telecast. Mr. Merkelo made his New York debut at Lincoln Center with the New World Symphony Orchestra and Michael Tilson Thomas in 1998. He has also worked with conductors Leonard Bernstein, Charles Dutoit, Lorin Maazel, Sir Georg Solti and Valery Gergiev. Mr. Merkelo's first solo recording, A Simple Song was ranked #1 in Quebec's classical recording chart in 2000. In 2004, Analekta released a highly praised second CD, Baroque Transcriptions, which was nominated by ADISQ for Best Classical Album of the Year. Previously, he was Principal Trumpet with the Rochester Philharmonic and New Orleans Symphony and gained early orchestral experience as an extra with the New York Philharmonic and Pittsburgh Symphony. Paul Merkelo attended the University of Illinois and Eastman School of music, where he was awarded the Speth Scholarship for outstanding orchestral musician. Mr. Merkelo is on the faculty at the Music Academy of the West in Santa Barbara, and McGill University. He is on the board of directors for the Youth Orchestra of the Americas (Canada), and is the founder of the Paul Merkelo scholarship. Paul Merkelo is a Yamaha artist. If you enjoyed the show, please leave a review on iTunes! I truly appreciate your support! Visit www.mindoverfinger.com for information about past and future podcasts, and for more resources on mindful practice. 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. Also a huge thank you to my producer, Bella Kelly! MIND OVER FINGER: www.mindoverfinger.com https://www.facebook.com/mindoverfinger/ (As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases, which helps cover some of the costs associated with the production of the podcast. Thank you for your support.)

Mezzo-soprano Wallis Giunta is a multi-faceted artist with a variety of interests, a great take on mindful practice, and a truly wonderful personality. In our conversation, we discuss, among other things, the importance of making choices that will allow you to thrive, how she prepares for a role, and how she uses mental practice to learn and memorize music at a deeper level. We elaborate on: Her journey from Ottawa, Ontario (Canada) to Toronto, New York, and, more recently Leipzig as a member of Oper Leipzig Her experience as a young girl in the Ottawa Youth Choir, and the importance it had in her becoming a professional singer Her experience at the Glenn Gould School and the Canadian Opera Company and the various opportunities she found there How making choices that fit her well were very important in her development and allowed her to thrive Her life as a member of Oper Leipzig Her fun, mindful way of curating a recital program that is meaningful to her How she prepares for a role How she went from a more repetitive form of working on songs to a more mindful and mental approach to practicing as she evolved as an artist o Translate the text and understand the meaning o Listen to various recordings and interpretations o Break it down o Memorize it How practicing mentally first thing in the morning and last thing before bed is tremendously effective for her and helps her cement the repertoire to memory How she has developed the skill to learn repertoire mentally, now that that is in a place where she feels confident about her technique How singers practice difficult passages How she brings operatic characters to life ALL ABOUT WALLIS: Wallis Giunta's website Wallis' YouTube channel Wallis' Facebook page Wallis on Instagram The Complete Sherlock Holmes (Knickerbocker Classics) The Complete Sherlock Holmes (2 Volumes) Irish-Canadian mezzo, Wallis Giunta, has been named "Young Singer of the Year" in the 2018 International Opera Awards, and was named both "Young Artist of the Year" by The Arts Desk and "Breakthrough Artist in UK Opera" in the What's On Stage Opera Awards for her work in 2017. She has been praised by OPERA NEWS for her "delectably rich, silver-toned mezzo-soprano, with a beautiful sense of line and effortless, rapid runs", with her performance as Mozart's Sesto for the Canadian Opera Company celebrated as "a triumph…remarkable in its combination of intelligence and beauty". Her 2018/19 season includes debuts with the BBC Proms Festival in a program celebrating Leonard Bernstein, with the Grange Festival as Cherubino at The Barbican, London, with the MDR Sinfonieorchester as Haydn's Berenice, and with the Royal Opera House Muscat in La Traviata. She also debuts the title roles in Carmen and Der Rosenkavalier, along with Rossini's Rosina for Oper Leipzig, and Idamante for Toronto's Opera Atelier. She began the 2017/18 season with two role debuts for Opera North, the title role in Ravel's L'enfant et les sortiléges, and Dinah in Bernstein's Trouble in Tahiti, both to great critical acclaim. She returned to Oper Leipzig, where she has been an ensemble member since 2015/16, for her house roles of Angelina, Cherubino, Rossweise & Wellgunde, and debuted Prince Orlofsky in Die Fledermaus and Der Gymnasiast in a new production of Berg's Lulu. She also returned to the Munich Radio Orchestra, Toronto's Koerner Hall and the Music & Beyond Festival in concert, and debuted at the Oregon Music Festival as Anna I in Weill's The Seven Deadly Sins. The 2016/17 season saw her debuts with Opera North, performing the title role in Rossini's La Cenerentola, with Teatro Communale di Bolzano as Cherubino, and with the Munich Radio Orchestra, Tokyo Metropolitan Symphony Orchestra, and Symphony Nova Scotia in concert. Wallis returned to Opera Atelier to debut the title role in Purcell's Dido & Aeneas, and to both the Toronto Symphony and the Real Orquesta Sinfónica de Sevilla for new productions of Weill's The Seven Deadly Sins. The 2015/16 season saw her make several major European debuts, including for Teatro dell'Opera di Roma (Adams' I Was Looking at the Ceiling and Then I Saw the Sky), Oper Frankfurt (Carmen), Oper Leipzig (La Cenerentola, Le Nozze di Figaro, Faust, Der Ring des Nibelungen), the Hamburg Symphony (Candide), and the Deutsche Oper am Rhein in concert. She also returned to the Edmonton Symphony for Messiah and had her first experience teaching, with a series of masterclasses for Toronto's Tapestry New Opera. Early in 2015, she returned to The Metropolitan Opera as Olga in their new production of The Merry Widow, directed by Susan Stroman. Other recent highlights include returns to the Canadian Opera Company as Dorabella in Atom Egoyan's new production of Cosí fan tutte (2014), to Opera Lyra Ottawa as Cherubino in Le Nozze di Figaro (2015), and to Opera Atelier as Bradamante in a new period-production of Alcina (2014), along with debuts at Madison Opera (2014) and the Taipei Symphony Orchestra as Annio in La Clemenza di Tito (2013). In June 2014, she recorded her first album with the RTÉ National Symphony Orchestra in Dublin (NAXOS), of a new work by American composer, William Perry. Wallis also debuted in 2014 with Toronto's 21C Music Festival in Louis Andriessen's one-woman-opera, Anaïs Nin, and brought her acclaimed recital program of Kurt Weill's The Seven Deadly Sins to Miami, New York, Toronto and Ottawa. She had a whirlwind 2012/13 season, making her Metropolitan Opera debut in Rigoletto, debuting the roles of Sesto & Annio in La Clemenza di Tito with the Canadian Opera Company, making her Paris debut with Le Théâtre du Châtelet as Tiffany in John Adams's I Was Looking at the Ceiling…, and singing Dorabella in the Met + Juilliard production of Cosí fan tutte at Lincoln Center. She also made debuts with Fort Worth Opera, L'Opéra de Montréal, the Edmonton, Seville and Nuremberg Symphonies, the Stuttgart Festivalorchester, and the National Arts Centre Orchestra. Wallis is a passionate recitalist, and has recently performed for the Aspen, Caramoor, Banff, Luminato, Music & Beyond, and Ottawa Chamber Music festivals. She is the grateful recipient of the 2016 Bernard Diamant Prize from the Canada Council for the Arts, the 2013 Novick Career Advancement Grant, the 2013 Sylva Gelber Music Foundation Career Development Award, and multiple prizes from the George London Foundation. Wallis is a 2013 graduate of both the Metropolitan Opera Lindemann Young Artist Development Program & the Juilliard School's Artist Diploma in Opera Studies, and a 2011 graduate of the Canadian Opera Company Ensemble Studio. She has also studied at The Glenn Gould School, the Ravinia Festival's Steans Music Institute, and the International Meistersinger Akademie in Germany, and continues her private studies with Edith Wiens. Wallis is also devoted to animal rights, particularly the rescue and rehabilitation of abandoned domestic rabbits. She is an active rabbit foster parent and finds opportunities to foster and volunteer at shelters as she is performing around the world. She is a volunteer and supporter at Rabbit's Rest Sanctuary & WildRescue in Denton, Texas, and works to draw attention to our societal responsibility towards domesticated animals. Please get in touch if you are interested and would also like to help! If you enjoyed the show, please leave a review on iTunes! I truly appreciate your support! Visit www.mindoverfinger.com for information about past and future podcasts, and for more resources on mindful practice. For added fun, join the Mind Over Finger Tribe on Facebook where you will find a community of mindful musicians! 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. Also a huge thank you to my producer, Bella Kelly! MIND OVER FINGER: www.mindoverfinger.com https://www.facebook.com/mindoverfinger/ (As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases, which helps cover some of the costs associated with the production of the podcast. Thank you for your support.)

This week on the podcast, I talk with neuro-symphonic hornist and creator of the practice app, Modacity. Marc brings an incredible versatility to music making and has an inspiring holistic approach to practicing and living music. We discuss: Hi versatile background, developing skills and acquiring knowledge in many areas – music, neuroscience, coding, meditation, wisdom traditions What being a neuro-symphonic hornist means What do we define "success" as What is positive focus How he came up with Modacity The features of Modacity The importance of priming Join Marc and I for a month of mindful practice during the month of November! DETAILS INCLUDED AT THE END OF THE EPISODE AND BELOW HERE! ALL ABOUT MARC: Marc's webiste: http://marcgelfo.com/ Modacity: https://www.modacity.co/ Challenge Participants: Download the Modacity app and visit https://www.modacity.co/mindful-music-upgrade/ for access to all the app's premium features for FREE for the whole month of November! Marc's Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/practicelivingmusic/ Marc on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/marcgelfo/ Modacity's Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/ModacityApp/ Modacity on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/modacityapp/ Why You Should Use Modacity to Practice Music How To: Deliberate Practice for Musicians & How to Use Modacity's Improvement Feature The art of breathing: http://www.jessicawolfartofbreathing.com/for-purchase/ Research on the advantages of recording practice - "When audience members were played recordings of both types of performance, a significant majority expressed a preference for the performances that were created in a mindful state." http://journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.1177/0305735607086053 Contrabass Conversation episode #515: Practice better with Modacity – Jason Heath interviews Marc Jason Heath's blog: How I'm practicing music better using Modacity and forScore Jason Heath's video Modacity: my favorite new tool for better practicing Dynamic Alignment Through Imagery Second Edition by Eric N. Franklin The Lean Startup: How Today's Entrepreneurs Use Continuous Innovation to Create Radically Successful by Eric Ries MARC GELFO Marc Gelfo has been combining music and technology since he was 5 years old. After applying cognitive science & computer science degrees to French horn, Marc became an internationally touring symphony musician. His experience includes teaching and performing with thousands of musicians around the world, including San Francisco Symphony and Philadelphia Orchestra. Marc is Co-Founder & CEO at Modacity, building software to help create a world where everyone makes music. Visit https://modacity.co or email marc@modacity.co for more on this rapidly growing music learning platform. MINDFUL PRACTICE MONTH Now, if you're interested in taking your practice to the next level, join me for a month of Mindful Practice! Here's how it works! Hop on Facebook, and join The Mind Over Finger Tribe at https://www.facebook.com/groups/mindoverfingertribe/ Think of 1-3 practice goals you have for the month of November, put that in writing, and share it with us on the group. It could be anything from learning a piece, to working on a specific thing you want to fix in your technique. I would be specific, like don't say I want to improve my left hand, but rather say something along the lines of I want to improve my shifts. Download the Modacity app and visit https://www.modacity.co/mindful-music-upgrade/ for access to all the app's premium features for FREE for the whole month of November! Starting November 1st, practice every day using Modacity and share a daily practice insight or "win" with us and on social media with the hashtag #mindfulpracticechallenge! I'm going share mine in the group and on Instagram using the hashtag #mindfulpracticechallenge 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. Also a huge thank you to recording engineer extraordinaire, Bella Kelly! If you enjoyed the show, please leave a review on iTunes! I truly appreciate your support! MIND OVER FINGER: www.mindoverfinger.com https://www.facebook.com/mindoverfinger/

First Associate Concertmaster with the Los Angeles Philharmonic and the creative mind behind Natesviolin, Nathan Cole has incredible insight on practice and performance preparation! In this episode, he discusses: His path, from Suzuki beginner, to Curtis student, to the LA Phil, via the St-Paul Chamber Orchestra and the Chicago Symphony How he organizes his time for productivity The importance of scheduling Utilize small pockets of time Know when you are the most productive How he prepares for practice – the importance of having the right environment Not separating the warm up from "playing" Not separating practicing from performing The importance of paying attention every time you are about to start a note The importance of choosing repertoire suited to our level How he takes a piece from start to ready The importance of practicing etudes and to understand what the point of each etude is so we can focus on the proper skill to be worked on How he problem-solves difficult passages The importance of paying close attention to how things sound and feel – being present Why it's important to develop good communication skills with colleagues ALL ABOUT guest: Website: https://www.natesviolin.com/ Podcast Stand Partners for Life: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/stand-partners-for-life/id1328799919?mt=2 Nathan on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/natesviolin/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/natesviolin/ The Inner Game of Golf by W. Timothy Gallwey The Inner Game of Tennis, also by Gallwey The Inner Game of Music by Barry Green Nathan Cole, First Associate Concertmaster of the Los Angeles Philharmonic, has appeared as guest concertmaster with the orchestras of Pittsburgh, Minnesota, Houston, Ottawa, Seattle, and Oregon. He was previously a member of the Chicago Symphony and Principal Second Violin of the Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra. A native of Lexington, KY, he made his debut with the Louisville Orchestra at the age of ten while studying with Donna Wiehe. After eight years working with Daniel Mason, Cole enrolled at the Curtis Institute of Music. In addition to his studies there with Pamela Frank, Felix Galimir, Ida Kavafian, and Jaime Laredo, Cole formed the Grancino String Quartet, debuting in New York's Weill Hall. Several summers at Marlboro enriched his love of chamber music. While in Chicago, Nathan taught at Roosevelt University and coached the Chicago Civic Orchestra. He is currently on the faculty at the Colburn School for the Performing Arts, with classes at the Colburn Conservatory and USC. His articles and photographs have appeared in Strings, Symphony, and Chamber Music magazines. Nathan's articles and videos on practicing, performing, teaching, and auditioning have helped thousands of violinists worldwide. In addition to his online teaching, Nathan is currently on faculty at the Colburn School for the Performing Arts, with classes at the Colburn Conservatory and USC. His articles and photographs have also appeared in Strings, Symphony, and Chamber Music magazines. Nathan is married to Akiko Tarumoto, the LA Phil's Assistant Concertmaster. Together they host the weekly podcast Stand Partners for Life, an inside look at orchestra life, which can be heard at standpartnersforlife.com. Nathan and Akiko live in Pasadena with their three children. If you enjoyed the show, please leave a review on iTunes! I truly appreciate your support! Visit www.mindoverfinger.com for information about past and future podcasts, and for more resources on mindful practice. 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. Also a huge thank you to my producer, Bella Kelly! MIND OVER FINGER: www.mindoverfinger.com https://www.facebook.com/mindoverfinger/ (As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases, which helps cover some of the costs associated with the production of the podcast. Thank you for your support.)

International viola soloist Matthew Lipman can be heard on the best stages around the world! In this episode he discusses his road to success, how to practice and get ready for a competition, and the importance of mental preparation before a performance. He elaborates on: The importance of music education in the schools and the important of funding for music an arts programs in our public schools Studying with Roland Vamos and how he directed his attention got directed in the right way early on in his training Studying with Heidi Castelman and how she got him to focus on tone production Studying with Tabea Zimmermann and how she got him to listen ever more to himself How learning to listen to ourselves is so important and why feeling like we sound bad can be good: "when you are experiencing growth, you think that you sound horrible, and it helps you reach a new level" How being consistent is key in progressing How listening to the sound and tone can completely lead the way to huge progress How you have to take a step back and understand how our body works and how the instrument responds instead of trying to push the sound How preparing for competition can be hard, but focusing on the process and adopting the right mindset can really lead you to new heights The process of preparing for an international competition o Choosing repertoire that "lets you shine" o Practice performing your repertoire a lot before the competition o Be organized – using chart and planning properly o Have clear and specific goals How to efficiently work with metronome: how you can reach freedom through working with one How preparing mentally for a performance is a long but important process How you have to be able to zoom in on the details, and also zoom out and see the big picture ABOUT MATTHEW: Website: http://www.matthew-lipman.com/index.php Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center: https://www.chambermusicsociety.org/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/melodiousmatt1/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/melodiousmatt/ His recording of Mozart's Sinfonia Concertante with Rachel Barton Pine and the Academy of St-Martin in the Fields conducted by Sir Neville Marriner Carl Fischer Foundation Studies for the Viola - Book 2 (from Opp. 45 and 74) performed by Matthew Playing the Viola: Conversations with William Primrose, by David Dalton Mozart's Sinfonia Concertante for Violin, Viola and Orchestra - featuring Erin Keefe and Matthew Lipman with the Minnesota Orchestra. The recipient of a prestigious 2015 Avery Fisher Career Grant, 25-year-old American violist Matthew Lipman has been hailed by the New York Times for his "rich tone and elegant phrasing" and by the Chicago Tribune for his "splendid technique and musical sensitivity." In demand as a soloist, he has recently performed concertos with the Minnesota, Illinois Philharmonic, Grand Rapids Symphony, Wisconsin Chamber, Juilliard, Ars Viva Symphony, Montgomery Symphony, Innsbrook and Eggenfelden Festival orchestras and recitals at the WQXR Greene Space in New York City and the Phillips Collection in Washington, DC. Highlights this season include a debut solo album on Cedille Records, which will include his own transcription of Waxman's Carmen Fantasy and a world premiere by Brazilian composer Clarice Assad, and several performances of the Telemann Viola Concerto in Alice Tully Hall. The Telegraph praised Mr. Lipman as "gifted with poise and a warmth of timbre" on his Avie recording of Mozart's Sinfonia Concertante with violinist Rachel Barton Pine and the Academy of St Martin in the Fields with Sir Neville Marriner, which reached No. 2 on the Billboard classical charts. He was the only violist featured on WFMT Chicago's list of "30 Under 30" top classical musicians and has been profiled by The Strad and BBC Music magazines. Mr. Lipman performs internationally as a chamber musician with the Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center as a member of CMS Two, at the Music@Menlo, Marlboro, Bad Kissingen, Malaga, and Ravinia Festivals, and regularly with distinguished artists like Itzhak Perlman, Mitsuko Uchida, and Pinchas Zukerman. A top prizewinner of the Primrose, Tertis, Washington, Johansen, and Stulberg International Viola Competitions, he received his bachelor's and master's degrees as an inaugural Kovner fellow from The Juilliard School, where he continues to serve as teaching assistant to Heidi Castleman, and is currently mentored by Tabea Zimmermann in Kronberg, Germany. A native of Chicago, Mr. Lipman performs on a fine 1700 Matteo Goffriller viola loaned through the generous efforts of the RBP Foundation and an 1845 Dominque Peccatte viola bow. If you enjoyed the show, please leave a review on iTunes! I truly appreciate your support! Visit www.mindoverfinger.com for information about past and future podcasts, and for more resources on mindful practice. 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. Also a huge thank you to my producer, Bella Kelly! MIND OVER FINGER: www.mindoverfinger.com https://www.facebook.com/mindoverfinger/ (As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases, which helps cover some of the costs associated with the production of the podcast. Thank you for your support.)

Denise Tryon, Associate Professor of Horn at the College Conservatory of Music of the University of Cincinatti and former Fourth Horn with the Philadelphia Orchestra, has built a wonderful career which combines teaching, performing, and expanding the repertoire of her instrument through active commissions. Denise is a trail blazer in our field! She has asked herself the hard questions and has not been afraid to step off the beaten path and shape her unique, meaningful, and impactful career. In this episode, we discuss: Her journey from student, to top-five orchestra member, soloist, and pedagogue The distinction between warmup and daily routine (hint: a warmup is a small part of a daily routine) What a good routine covers – the various fundamentals of your instrument as well as extended techniques How to set up your own routine – something that works really well for you What mindful, efficient, practice is to her: o Be demanding but kind with yourself o How to organize it (I'm loving the "55 and out" technique!) o How to problem solve o What "swear" words she will not allow in her studio (and they are not what you're thinking!) o How we need to let go and go with the flow o The four elements we need to address in the practice room – technical, physical, musical, and mental Audition Mode and audition preparation How musicians need to figure out how to find our own voice and market themselves How we must strive for excellence, not perfection "Change your mind and your body will follow" "Be demanding and caring" when you practice "Give to yourself first" ALL ABOUT guest: Website: http://denisetryon.com/ Low Horns Unite: http://denise-tryon.thinkific.com/courses/low-horns-unite Audition Mode: http://auditionmode.com/ YouTube channels: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC-NXdXmBOZ08O4ijSX6wTzg Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dt_lowhorn/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DeniseTryonHorn/ Her album, So Low Doctor Beat Metronome by Boss Mechanical Metronome (not the one she mentions) Horn Berp – Buzz Extension Resistance Piece The Music Lesson: A Spiritual Search for Growth Through Music by Victor L. Wooten Biography: A native of Roseville, MN, Denise Tryon is currently Associate Professor of Horn at the College Conservatory of Music of the University of Cincinatti. Previously, Tryon was fourth horn of The Philadelphia Orchestra (2009-2017) and served as the Horn Professor of the Peabody Conservatory in Baltimore starting in 2007. She has also held positions with the Detroit Symphony (2003-2009), Baltimore (2000-2003), Columbus (1998-2000), and New World (1995-1998) Symphonies as well as participated in the Colorado Music Festival and the Pacific Music Festival. An accomplished solo performer, Tryon has performed recitals in Sweden, Norway, Poland, Japan, Canada and the United States. "Denise Tryon's command of the lower register provides the strongest foundation of sound for a horn section, and yet, her sound is supple and flexible." —Yannick Nezet-Sequin, music director of the Philadelphia Orchestra In 1989 Tryon graduated from the famed Interlochen Arts Academy and in 1993 received her Bachelor of Music degree from the New England Conservatory of Music (NEC) in Boston. She received the Presidential Scholarship while in the Artist Diploma Program at NEC with the Taiyo Wind Quintet, which won the Coleman Chamber Competition and worked with great composers such as John Harbison, Luciano Berio, György Ligeti, and Elliott Carter. An active and accomplished educator, Tryon is sought after for her masterclasses. She has taught extensively in the United States, Scandinavia, Europe, Asia and South America. Beth Graham of the Warsaw Philharmonic and founder of the Warsaw Horn Workshops raves, "In just a few seconds of listening to a student she can diagnose deep-seated problems and give immediate fixes, often with a healthy dose of humor as well. The transformations she can accomplish in just a short time are truly remarkable." Tryon released her debut solo album, SO•LOW in 2015. As a part of this album, she commissioned 4 new pieces for low horn and piano. Said in a review by Gramophone Magazine "Tryon plays these works with sonorous fluidity and dexterity, ending with a bit of captivating acrobatics." In 2009, Tryon founded Audition Mode, a yearly horn seminar, with Karl Pituch. In 2010 she was an International Horn Society (IHS) Northeast Workshop Featured Artist. She was a contributing artist at the IHS Symposium in San Francisco in 2011, as well as one of the Solo Artists at the Nordic Hornfest in Norway in 2012. Tryon was on the horn faculty at BIBA (Blekinge International Brass Academy) in Sweden in 2013. She has been the Featured Artist at the Warsaw Horn Workshops in 2013, 2015, and 2016. In 2014 and 2016, Tryon was a Featured Artist at the IHS MidNorth Horn Workshop, and in 2015, she was a Featured Artist at the IHS Symposium in LA. In 2016, Tryon was on faculty during the brass weeks at Domaine Forget. Tryon was the Featured Artist at the IHS NorthWest Horn Workshop in 2017. If you enjoyed the show, please leave a review on iTunes! I truly appreciate your support! Visit www.mindoverfinger.com for information about past and future podcasts, and for more resources on mindful practice. 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. Also a huge thank you to my producer, Bella Kelly! MIND OVER FINGER: www.mindoverfinger.com https://www.facebook.com/mindoverfinger/ (As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases, which helps cover some of the costs associated with the production of the podcast. Thank you for your support.)

Concertmaster of the Chattanooga Symphony & Opera and new music champion, Holly Mulcahy redefines the profile of the 21st century musician. Through her purposeful approach of music-making, she is able to genuinely connect and bring people together, and have powerful and positive impact in the music world and the community at large. In this episode, we discuss: How going with the flow and being adaptable shaped her career How her parents helped her establish a strong base that has stayed with her throughout the years How she defined and found her own success and what made her happy How being honest with oneself is key How letting go of a full-time job and challenging the traditional route lead her to a fulfilling life How she reaches out and engages with her audience in a meaningful way How understanding our audience and getting them curious can help us "find a way in" and help us create authentic connections with concert goers How a concert in a prison turned into a powerful project that positively affects prisoners' lives How she prepares and practices for an orchestra season as a concertmaster How being unprepared takes away the joy from the job How studying a score is important when preparing for a concert How spreading the work over several days is key in helping the brain absorbing the material and is important to solidify the preparation How she learns music by contemporary composers How she is mindful in her practice How adaptability is an important skill in a music career How keeping a notebook nearby helps her stay focus during a practice session Holly Mulcahy: https://www.hollymulcahy.com/ Holly's blog, Neo Classical: https://www.insidethearts.com/neoclassical/ Chattanooga Symphony & Opera: http://chattanoogasymphony.org/ Drew McManus: "There is a difference in creating a musical market and a musical community" https://adaptistration.com/2018/04/20/there-is-a-difference-in-creating-a-musical-market-and-a-musical-community/ Arts Capacity: https://artscapacity.org/about/ Violin Concerto in Five Scenes "The Rose of Sonora" by George S. Clinton: "Inspired by true stories about the lives of legendary women in the Old West, The Rose of Sonora is a compelling and dramatic musical narrative that takes the listener on an epic western adventure of love, loss, and revenge." https://www.facebook.com/theroseofsonora/ Yes, And: How Improvisation Reverses "No, But" Thinking and Improves Creativity and Collaboration--Lessons from The Second City by Kelly Leonard and Tom Yorton. Executives from The Second City—the world's premier comedy theater and school of improvisation—reveal improvisational techniques that can help any organization develop innovators, encourage adaptable leaders, and build transformational businesses. Biography After hearing Scheherazade at an early age, Holly Mulcahy fell in love with the violin and knew it would be her future. Since then, she has won multiple positions in symphonic orchestras from Richmond to Phoenix and is currently serving as concertmaster of the Chattanooga Symphony Orchestra. Holly began developing her leadership skills at the renowned Peabody Institute of the Johns Hopkins University with former Baltimore Symphony concertmaster Herbert Greenberg. In recent seasons she has enjoyed serving as traveling concertmaster for Emmy Award winner George Daugherty's Bugs Bunny at the Symphony, and as guest concertmaster for the Columbus Symphony (OH), Baltimore Chamber Orchestra, and a one-year appointment as interim concertmaster for Orchestra Iowa. As an in-demand performer, Holly balances her orchestral duties with numerous concerto performances around the country. Passionate about performing living American composers' works, Holly has been featured as soloist for concertos by Jennifer Higdon, Jim Stephenson, Philip Glass, and now a concerto being written for her by Hollywood film composer, George S. Clinton. This new concerto, The Rose of Sonora: a violin concerto in five scenes, is inspired by true stories about the lives of legendary women in the Old West and will take the listener on an epic western adventure of love and revenge. The world premiere performance will be in April 2019. Believing in music as a healing and coping source, Holly founded Arts Capacity, a charitable 501(c)3 which focuses on bringing live chamber music, art, artists, and composers to prisons. Arts Capacity addresses many emotional and character-building issues people face as they prepare for release into society. In addition to an active performing career, Holly is the author of Neo Classical, a monthly column on the future of classical music. On days off, Holly maintains a reputation for planning and hosting exquisite gourmet parties in her Chicago home. Holly performs on a 1917 Giovanni Cavani violin, previously owned by the late renowned soloist Eugene Fodor, and a bespoke bow made by award winning master bow maker, Douglas Raguse. If you enjoyed the show, please leave a review on iTunes! I truly appreciate your support! Visit www.mindoverfinger.com for information about past and future podcasts, and for more resources on mindful practice. 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. Also, a huge thank you to my producer, Bella Kelly! MIND OVER FINGER: www.mindoverfinger.com https://www.facebook.com/mindoverfinger/ (As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases, which helps cover some of the costs associated with the production of the podcast. Thank you for your support.)

International flute soloist, Mimi Stillman has a gift to make classical music current, relevant, and exciting. In this episode, we discuss different ways to make practice more fun, efficient, and effective. We elaborate on: Why learning how to practice is so important How important it is for parents to reinforce what is said in the lessons at home Key elements of efficient practice: Practicing slowly Using a metronome Monitoring the basics Good posture Monitoring the breath and body tension Practicing with challenging modifications such as different rhythm, accents, etc. A healthy balance of technique exercices vs repertoire in the practicing How playing in chamber music helps elevating awareness in our playing How being creative in our practice keeps in more engaging, more, and efficient How legendary flutist Julius Baker taught How we are our own best teacher and we need to take ownership of our practice and learning experience How being interested in other art forms and history complements our musical approach Websites: Mimi www.mimistillman.com Dolce Suono Ensemble www.dolcesuono.com YouTube channels: www.youtube.com/mimistillman www.youtube.com/dolcesuonoensemble Facebook pages: www.facebook.com/MimiStillmanFlute/ www.facebook.com/dolcesuonoensemble/ Instagram: www.instagram.com/mimistillmanflute Twitter: @mimistillman @dolcesuonoe Music in the Castle of Heaven by John Eliot Gardiner A Proud Taste for Scarlet and Miniver by E. L. Konigsburg From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler by E. L. Konigsburg Biography Flutist Mimi Stillman, acclaimed by The New York Times as "not only a consummate and charismatic performer, but also a scholar whose programs tend to activate ear, heart, and brain", is renowned for her virtuosity, insightful interpretation, and adventurous programming. As soloist, she has appeared with orchestras including The Philadelphia Orchestra, Indianapolis Chamber Orchestra, Bach Collegium Stuttgart, Chamber Orchestra of Philadelphia, Orquesta Sinfónica de Yucatán, Chamber Orchestra of the Triangle, and Orchestra 2001, and as recitalist and chamber musician at venues including Carnegie Hall, The Kennedy Center, Philadelphia Chamber Music Society, Smithsonian American Art Museum, National Sawdust, Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum, Symphony Space, La Jolla Chamber Music Society, The Kimmel Center, The Verbier Festival, and Kol HaMusica. Ms. Stillman is the founding Artistic Director of the popular Dolce Suono Ensemble, "one of the most dynamic groups in the US" (The Huffington Post), performing Baroque to new music with 53 world premieres in 13 seasons in Philadelphia and on tour. At the invitation of Plácido Domingo, Ms. Stillman and Dolce Suono Ensemble enjoy a partnership with the Washington National Opera's Domingo-Cafritz Young Artist Program A wide-ranging and innovative artist, Ms. Stillman celebrates the canon while deeply exploring new music and Latin genres. She is highly regarded for expanding the repertoire through her commissions, arrangements, and compositions. She can be heard on several recordings including Odyssey: 11 American Premieres for Flute and Piano and Freedom, both with her longstanding duo pianist Charles Abramovic, and American Canvas performed by her Dolce Suono Trio (Innova). Her Syrinx Journey project, a tribute to Claude Debussy on his 150th anniversary, garnered an international following. Mimi Stillman made the leap from child prodigy to inimitable artist. At age 12, she was the youngest wind player ever admitted to the Curtis Institute of Music, where she studied with the legendary Julius Baker and Jeffrey Khaner and earned her Bachelor of Music degree. She received a MA and PhD (abd) in History at the University of Pennsylvania, and is a published author on music and history. Mimi Stillman has won numerous competitions and awards including Young Concert Artists International Auditions, the Bärenreiter Prize for Best Historical Performance for Winds, Astral Artists Auditions, and the Philadelphia Women in the Arts Award. A Yamaha Performing Artist and Clinician, strongly committed to excellence in education, she has taught masterclasses at institutions including the National Flute Association, Eastman School of Music, Cornell University, Southern Methodist University, Indiana University, the universities of Texas, California, Virginia, Florida, and Arizona, and at conservatories worldwide. A Spanish-speaker, Ms. Stillman won the Knight Foundation grant for her Música en tus Manos (Music in Your Hands) project to introduce chamber music to the Latino community of Philadelphia. She is on faculty at Temple University, Curtis Summerfest, and Music for All National Festival. www.mimistillman.com If you enjoyed the show, please leave a review on iTunes! I truly appreciate your support! Visit www.mindoverfinger.com for information about past and future podcasts, and for more resources on mindful practice. 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. Also a huge thank you to my producer, Bella Kelly! MIND OVER FINGER: www.mindoverfinger.com https://www.facebook.com/mindoverfinger/ (As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases, which helps cover some of the costs associated with the production of the podcast. Thank you for your support.)