Curriculum

Only a seasoned professional artist can truly relate to the intricacies of the pressures on stage during high-stakes performance.

Developed and delivered by a Juilliard-trained professional orchestral musician with formal training in psychology and counselling, the Master Performing curriculum addresses the root causes of performance anxiety, effective artistic preparation and learning techniques, and techniques to achieve optimal performance.

The full Master Performing curriculum is described here.

Stand-alone workshops are available on the following topics:

Motivation in Isolation: How to stay on track during the pandemic
Prepare Like a Champion
The Artist as an Athlete
Goal-Setting: Plan, Prepare, Perform
Lungs 101: Breathing for Performance
Optimal Preparation = Optimal Performance
The Physiology of Fight/Flight
The Psychology of Optimal Performance
Be Your Own Best Critic: Preparing for Judgment

“…knowledgeable, passionate, interesting…and valuable.”

-Young Musician
"Lisa is Relevant!"

-Physiology of Stage Fright participant
"Engrossing, informative workshop. Left me wanting to know more."

-Physiology of Stage Fright participant
“It was such a relief to learn that with all my anxiety about performing, I was not alone.”

-Professional Actor (Film/TV)
“…knowledge and guidance in steering me forward to my own destiny was freakin’ fantastic.... (Lisa) knows her STUFF.”

-Professional Musician
“Craft. Ever since taking these workshops, I think that every time I practice. My craft.

No 75% Club for me!”

-Performance Artist
“Knowledgeable… passionate… I found this very valuable.”

-Young musician
" ...concise, informative and entertaining... displayed a great depth of knowledge both from the perspective of a performer and someone who clearly understands the physical and psychological effects of performance anxiety on a musician. The students came away armed with knowledge that will help them better understand and cope with performance anxiety. Bravo!"

-David Wiffen, Saxophonist and Instructor; Laurier University
“Very interesting and helpful.”

-Young Musician
“My auditions have a new sense of focus now.”

-Professional Actor (stage/commercial)
“Great anecdotes, tips, charts, and facts. Pretty much everything!”

-Musician
“Mind blowing. Best… workshop on understanding the mind I have ever done… I am not a woowoo hocus pocus person.”

-Professional Musician
"(The) course sold out very quickly and the attendees praised your teaching skills and in-depth interactions with the class. I would certainly recommend you as an instructor and FTM would be delighted to program your course again in the future — Thank you again for all of your excellent work."

-Adam Smoluk, Program Manager; Film Training Manitoba
"Very thorough. Nothing is off limits."

-Physiology of Stage Fright participant
“Where were you 20 years ago when I really needed this? My career would have been quite different..."

-Professional Musician
"Lisa's explanation of the physical manifestations of the "fight or flight" syndrome… was exceptionally well detailed. Laurier students have said that this was the best and most detailed discussion of this topic that they have heard to date."

Amy Hamilton, Professor of Flute and Coordinator of Winds, Brass, Percussion; Laurier University
“Fantastic. Thank you so much. You gave me hope.”

-Young Musician
"Beautifully clear."

-Physiology of Stage Fright participant
"Great tools to put to use."

-Physiology of Stage Fright participant
“Very well planned and presented.”

-Musician

Be Your Own Best Critic: Preparing for Judgment