COURSE FULL
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Learn Faster, Perform Better:
A Musicians Guide to the Neuroscience of Practicing
Practicing can be a frustrating, overwhelming experience that makes us doubt ourselves as players and musicians.
But it doesn’t have to be!
Instead, it can be a creative problem-solving experience that challenges us to experiment, think outside the box, and prepare ourselves for performance in a way that feels empowering and compassionate.
In this 10-hour, live-online course, I’ll share with you the most impactful (and counterintuitive) research on how we learn, and how to apply that in preparing for performance. In each class, you’ll get practical, actionable strategies that you can put into practice immediately to see results much more quickly than you are likely used to. Each week will include a presentation, discussion, and an opportunity to try out different practice methods. You’ll also have an opportunity to receive personalized feedback on your own individual practice challenges and struggles, as well as access to a private Discord server where you can join a community of musicians dedicated to better practice through science.
Individual Class Topics
Class 1: Foundations of Good Practice
In this class, we will discuss what sets top performers apart from everyone else in terms of how they practice, fundamental information on how the brain learns, and what an effective practice session should look like. This will set the stage for all of our subsequent classes.
Class 2: The Power of Breaks
We make the most improvement when we are taking a break from practicing, not during practice itself. We will discuss this counterintuitive finding and the science behind it, as well as how to take maximum advantage of this paradoxical feature of how the brain works. This information alone will allow you to learn music more quickly and have it stick better.
Class 3: The Secret to More Consistent Performances
This class will look at the science behind interleaved practice, a method of practicing that jumpstarts the learning process and results in more consistent performances. Interleaved practice is also the solution to the universal experience of “I played this so much better yesterday at home. I don’t know why I can’t play it now.”
Class 4: Variability Over Repetition
Often musicians try to repeat the same thing over and over to ensure performance accuracy, but the research actually shows that more variability in practice leads to greater precision. In this class, we will discuss the nuances of this research and discuss how it leads to greater confidence and control in performances.
Class 5: Practice Video Viewing
For this class, participants with have the opportunity to bring 5-10 minutes of themselves practicing to get personalized feedback on their specific struggles in the practice room. As scary as this can feel, many describe this activity as one of the most impactful in helping them understand how to practice more effectively.
The Nitty-Gritty
Course dates: January 28, February 4, February 11, February 25, March 3, 2024 (all Sundays) from 4-6pm Eastern Time
Platform: Zoom
Class length: 2 hours each
Total course length: 10 hours
Price: $299
What you get
10 hours of live-online interactive classes
The opportunity for personalized feedback on practicing
Lifetime access to the discussion forum on Discord
Access for one year to the individual class recordings
Sign up here to receive an email when this course will be taught again in the future.
About me
I am a professional violist with a background in cognitive neuroscience. My area of expertise is applying the science of learning and memory to practicing and performing. I bring decades of experience as a performer and teacher to this research, translating what scientists have discovered about how we learn into actionable, practical strategies that musicians of all ages and levels can use to improve their practicing and playing. Everything I teach I have used in my own playing and teaching, so I know it works.
I hold degrees in viola performance from Oberlin Conservatory, New England Conservatory, and Rice University, and have taught viola for a decade at the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire and then at the University of Arizona. Before that, I was a Suzuki teacher for over a decade, teaching students as young as 4 years old. I also work as a private practice coach to help students of all ages, levels, and instruments learn to practice more effectively. As a performer, I prioritize the works of living composers and those who have traditionally been excluded from the culture of classical music.
FAQs
What level musician is this course geared towards?
This course is for musicians aged 18 or older at any level (beginner, conservatory student, professional, adult amateur). As long as you are learning to play an instrument or sing, you will benefit from the material in this course.
Do I have to practice or play in front of anyone?
Nope! :) Nobody ever has to hear you. You will be muted during all of the practicing activities we will try together, so the only person who will hear you play is you. For the final class, submitting a practice video for feedback is entirely optional and will be on a first-come, first-serve basis in the interest of time.
I’ve watched all of your videos on YouTube. Will there be new content in this course?
Yes! The first class will discuss topics I do not talk about in any of my YouTube videos. For the other topics, in the presentation portion we will review some of the material you may have seen in my YouTube videos, and in the discussion and interactive practice part of each class, there will be new information. In addition, even people who have seen my videos dozens of times say they always learn something new when they attend one of my presentations.
I can’t attend in person. Can I still sign up and watch the videos later?
Yes, you are welcome to do that. Each class will be recorded and videos will be available for participants to watch for an entire year following the course.
I’ve never used Discord and I don’t want to learn a new platform to interact with people in the class. What should I do?
You are not required to participate in the Discord platform. I will be making tutorial videos to introduce everyone to Discord as a platform in general and our private server to make sure everyone is comfortable using it. I find Discord very easy to use, so hopefully the learning curve for newcomers will be relatively painless.
What time does the course meet in my time zone?
Eastern Time: 4-6pm | Central Time: 3-5pm | Mountain Time: 2-4pm | Pacific Time: 1-3pm
Other questions?
Just contact me using the form on the Contact page.