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 m...
Oct 30, 2020•55 min•Season 3Ep. 79
In this episode I share with you the conversation I had with Trevor Jones on his Podcast, the Scholarship Roadmap! We cover a lot of ground in this 40-minute conversation including: The importance finding the right teachers for your education. Developing an efficient practicing system and excellent awareness Why practicing slowly isn’t enough A mini Music Mastery Experience lesson Comfort and effectiveness in your performance Reverse Engineering your audition preparation Chunking, mapping, and l...
Oct 16, 2020•43 min•Season 3Ep. 78
In this episode I’m talking health and wellness with David Cartolano, Host of the Conditioned Musician podcast! David is an ACSM certified Exercise Physiologist and has a bachelor’s degree in exercise science and he’s on a mission to build stronger, more resilient, and more creative musicians. We cover the things that musicians can do to be healthier, practice better, perform more optimally, and, overall, be more happy, productive, and conditioned musicians! David has a lot of great advice for u...
Oct 09, 2020•41 min•Season 3Ep. 77
In this episode, I have the great pleasure of speaking about all things mindful practice with international cello soloist Alisa Weilerstein. Alisa has attracted widespread attention for her playing that combines natural virtuosity and technical precision with impassioned musicianship. In this episode, Alisa shares insight on: How her parents nurtured a natural unfolding and healthy progression of her career Practicing: focusing efficient practice, intentional breaks and time off management (so i...
Sep 25, 2020•27 min•Season 3Ep. 76
Today is a special episode: I’m bringing you a conversation I had on another podcast, the awesome Conditioned Musician Podcast hosted by the equally awesome David Cartolano! David is an ACSM certified Exercise Physiologist and has a bachelor’s degree in exercise science, and he’s on a mission to build stronger, more resilient, and more creative musicians. Among many things, David and I talk about my own injury experience, how having a sense of introspection can prolong and save your career, how ...
Sep 18, 2020•50 min•Season 3Ep. 75
Melissa White and Elena Urioste — violinists, yoginis, and dear friends run Intermission , a ground-breaking program that unites body, mind, breath, and music-making through yoga and meditation. MORE ABOUT MELISSA WHITE AND ELENA URIOSTE FROM INTERMISSION: Website: https://www.intermissionsessions.com/ Intermission App: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/intermission-app/id1464473222 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/intermissionsessions/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/intermissionsessions/ Tw...
Sep 11, 2020•1 hr 1 min•Season 3Ep. 74
Performance Reboot – A 3-Part Motivation-Reset Workshop for Musicians Rediscover your passion + jumpstart your process – so you’re ahead of the pack when concerts come back Stage Ready… Set… GO! Workshop prompts and reflections: www.mindoverfinger.com/resources And for the best practicing and performing season of your life, Dr. Gauthier invites you to join: THE MUSIC MASTERY EXPERIENCE A TRANSFORMATIONAL JOURNEY TO LOVING THE PRACTICE ROOM, ROCKING THE STAGE, WINNING THE JOB, AND TAKING YOUR CAR...
Aug 31, 2020•39 min•Season 3Ep. 73
Everything you need to infuse your practice with more mindfulness, joy, and efficiency! Challenge prompts and transcript: www.mindoverfinger.com/resources And for the best practicing summer of your life: Dr. Renée-Paule Gauthier invites you to join : THE MUSIC MASTERY EXPERIENCE A TRANSFORMATIONAL JOURNEY TO LOVING THE PRACTICE ROOM, ROCKING THE STAGE, WINNING THE JOB, AND TAKING YOUR CAREER TO NEW HEIGHTS A 3-month experience for all musicians, starting June 1st, 2020 BOOK A CALL AND LET’S SEE ...
May 13, 2020•25 min•Season 2Ep. 72
Everything you need to get you in the cycle of motivation! And for the best practicing summer of your life: Dr. Renée-Paule Gauthier invites you to join : THE MUSIC MASTERY EXPERIENCE A TRANSFORMATIONAL JOURNEY TO LOVING THE PRACTICE ROOM, ROCKING THE STAGE, WINNING THE JOB, AND TAKING YOUR CAREER TO NEW HEIGHTS A 3-month experience for all musicians, starting June 1st, 2020 BOOK A CALL AND LET’S SEE HOW WE CAN GET YOU RESULTS! Commit to Ten blog: https://www.mindoverfinger.com/post/commit-to-te...
May 06, 2020•13 min
It’s hard to believe it, but we’ve reached the end of Season 2 of The Mind Over Finger Podcast!!! To celebrate, I have a great treat for you. I’m speaking with one of the most acclaimed and frequently performed composers working today: Jennifer Higdon! It was an incredible honor to have the chance to sit with Jennifer and to soak up her wisdom and this wonderful energy that she’s got! Among many other things, you’ll get to hear about her unusual path to a career as a composer, how she approaches...
Apr 24, 2020•30 min•Season 2Ep. 70
In this very special episode, I’m speaking with violinist and pedagogue Simon Fischer, who is recognized world-wide as a performer, educator and recording artist, and who’s published work greatly influences the teaching of the violin. In this conversation Simon talks to us in details about the fundamentals of high quality practice and performance preparation, and shares incredible wisdom on various aspects of efficient learning. Join my FREE 3-day training: The Performance Makeover Masterclass M...
Apr 17, 2020•1 hr 8 min•Season 2Ep. 69
This week, I’m speaking with fabulous double bass player, Lauren Pierce! Known for her hugely popular YouTube channel, which features her virtuosic performances and has more than 13 thousand followers and 1.3 million views, Lauren is a highly regarded soloist, musical innovator, and educator. As you’ll hear in our conversation, Lauren is an amazingly thoughtful musician, who has put a great amount of effort in refining the process of practicing and expanding her skills and artistry. Among many t...
Apr 10, 2020•57 min•Season 2Ep. 68
In this episode, famed violinist Lara St. John discusses several aspects of practicing and performance preparation, including the importance of working on the fundamentals, fostering curiosity and creativity in our work, developing our listening skills, and practicing performing. Lara also expands on: How she learned to “speak” violin How curiosity and listening skills are at the core of developing freedom to improvise on the instrument and to improve our versatility as performers Her process to...
Apr 03, 2020•1 hr•Season 2Ep. 67
Today on the show, I’m so excited to speak with the incredible and globally celebrated soprano Sondra Radvanovsky! In our conversation, Sondra covers a variety of topics, including how she prepares for a role, the importance of understanding how we learn, how to perform at our best, and the importance of kindness in our field. She also expands on: The importance of understanding how and how quickly we learn When it’s good to walk away and hit reset in order to learn faster How a desire to please...
Mar 27, 2020•44 min•Season 2Ep. 66
065 Kimberlee Dray: Adaptability & Mission in Music Making I’m incredibly happy that my guest today is violinist and composer Kimberlee Dray! Kimberlee is an incredible example of adaptability, resourcefulness, and courage in the face of adversity, and I can’t think of a better message to share today than her story! In this episode, Kimberlee talks about her return to music – how she answered the call and how she let no obstacles stand in the way of her following her dream path. Kimberlee st...
Mar 20, 2020•1 hr 10 min•Season 2Ep. 65
064 Karen Bulmer: Music, Mind, & Movement I’m really happy to welcome Karen Bulmer, Associate Professor of Trombone, Euphonium and Tuba, at memorial University, and host of the Music, Mind, and Movement Podcast to the show! In our conversation, with cover many topics, including: How our feelings towards practice affects our attitude about performance Attention, intention, playfulness, and exploration in practice How mindfulness helps us relate in a positive way to stress and stimuli Some too...
Mar 13, 2020•50 min•Season 2Ep. 64
In this episode, we discuss many important topics, including curiosity and exploration in practicing, the importance of maintaining a strong technical regimen, strategies to learn and handle a lot of repertoire in the context of an orchestra job, and tactics to foster focus in the practice room. Robert also elaborates on: How his career evolved into what it is today The different elements he got from his various teachers The importance of being eager to acquire more knowledge How books inspired ...
Mar 06, 2020•36 min•Season 2Ep. 63
I’m incredibly happy to welcome someone I admire and respect profoundly to the show this week: Howard Herring, President and CEO of the New world Symphony! In our conversation, Howard talks about the many aspects of NWS, including the first rate musical training , the incredible programs and initiatives that they have, the support they offer to their musicians, the richness they bring to their community, how they train future leaders in our industry, and how we can all be powerful agents of arti...
Feb 28, 2020•45 min•Season 2Ep. 62
I’m really honored to have violinist Violaine Melançon on the show this week to discuss her views on the skills young musicians need to develop to become well-rounded artists. As you’ll get to hear, Violaine is an artist of great depth and a dedicated pedagogue with wonderful wisdom and empathy. I’m certain that you will resonate with her message and walk away inspired and motivated In our conversation, Violaine expands on: The importance of choosing a teacher that will be a good fit The wonderf...
Feb 21, 2020•43 min•Season 2Ep. 61
060 Marc-André Hamelin: Musical Offering In this episode, I discuss with international piano soloist and composer Marc-André Hamelin! Among many other topics, we discuss his philosophy about performing, how he approaches solving problems, the wonderful reason he prefers to play by memory, how important curiosity has been in his career, and the importance of living a full life and be exposed to culture. Marc-André also elaborates on: The practicing habits he had at a young age The importance of d...
Feb 14, 2020•44 min•Season 2Ep. 60
Today I’m really excited to speak with internationally recognized conductor James Gaffigan. I think you will resonate with James’ message and I hope that you walk away as inspired as I did after speaking with him! In this episode, James discusses: How he learns a score, from first glance to performance How he likes to approach rehearsing with musicians and how their perspective on a work influences his own interpretation His advice to young musicians on how to succeed as an orchestra member (and...
Feb 07, 2020•28 min•Season 2Ep. 59
In this episode, international soloist Stefan Jackiw talks to us about his journey overcoming a serious injury. He tells us how he got injured, the steps he took to heal, the mental impact it had on him, and how he stays injury free. He also elaborates on: What his musicology studies brought to his playing What collaborating with other musicians mean to him Establishing strong fundamentals on the instrument How he maximizes his practice time His injury story: How it happened Facing the stigma at...
Jan 31, 2020•59 min•Season 2Ep. 58
Robert deMaine, principal cellist with the LA philharmonic, talks to us about his view on the various facets of practicing. He elaborates on: The importance of courage, presence, and joy in practice How to improve your playing at any time, in any circumstances Practicing for auditions Incorporating two aspects of preparation Polishing all the nitty gritty Letting go How he gets himself in “Olympian” shape for auditions The importance of “seeing the forest” His view on devices – recorders, tuners...
Jan 24, 2020•53 min•Season 2Ep. 57
I’m beyond excited to begin 2020 with a brilliant pedagogical mind and someone that I respect tremendously, cellist and pedagogue Hans Jørgen Jensen! Professor Jensen shares incredible insight on how to approach practicing and performing! Among several topics, he talks to us about: His journey from growing up in Denmark to today Why he quit his solo and chamber music career to dedicate himself to teaching How being a performer made him a better teacher and what being a teacher taught him about p...
Jan 17, 2020•39 min•Season 2Ep. 56
Today, I’m so excited to bring you violinist Elizabeth Faidley! Elizabeth is a highly sought-after pedagogue, who’s been hailed as an “amazing and inspiring teacher” by the New York Times and is the recipient of a multitude of pedagogy awards. Get ready for a massive dose of inspiration and great applicable tips! Elizabeth talks about: How she felt and answered the call to teach How she cares deeply for her students and how that creates a profound studio culture of dedication and support Why she...
Dec 13, 2019•56 min•Season 2Ep. 55
Pianist Jerome Lowenthal’s active solo and teaching career has shaped the pianistic landscape of today! It is such a pleasure to welcome this legendary musician to the show! Through his incredible story, Jerome talks to us about how the varied sources of influence he was exposed to as a young musician lead him to search within himself and find his own artistic voice, how he helps students do the same today, and he gives out wonderful wisdom and advice for young musicians. There’s so much to lear...
Dec 06, 2019•39 min•Season 2Ep. 54
This week, I have the incredible honor of welcoming renowned pianist Ursula Oppens to the show. A legend among American pianists, Ursula is widely admired for both her original and perceptive readings of new music, and for her knowing interpretations of the standard repertoire. As you’ll hear in the episode, she’s an incredibly passionate and wise musician! Her and I covered several topics, from the reality of a career in music today, to how she approaches learning repertoire, and how she’s stay...
Nov 29, 2019•36 min•Season 2Ep. 53
In this week’s episode, Demarre McGill, principal flute with the Seattle Symphony, discusses the building blocks of efficient and mental practice: having discipline, nurturing energy, focusing on beauty, and applying patience in our approach. Demarre also elaborates on the importance of: The “starter teachers” and the diverse support system a young musician needs to blossom Combining discipline, spirit, and energy Being an excellent colleague Patience in slow practice, and how it helps us learn ...
Nov 22, 2019•47 min•Season 2Ep. 52
Nicholas Pallesen: Transformative Approach to Performance Anxiety If you have any questions about performance anxiety, how to tackle it, master it, and how to perform at your best, this is the episode for you! Today, I speak with Nicholas Pallesen. In today’s show, Transformative Coach and Mental Performance Consultant Nicholas Pallesen invites us to take a different look at performance anxiety! In his own words, Nicholas doesn’t fix people: he helps them see they were never broken. Our conversa...
Nov 15, 2019•1 hr 11 min•Season 2Ep. 51
In today’s episode, I wanted to celebrate 50 episodes in style by bringing someone who’s work has had a profound impact on generations of musicians: bass player and author of The Inner Game of Music , Barry Green. I’m very happy and honored that Barry accepted to be on the show to have this very, very important conversation with me because his authentic approach to music-making has inspired and influenced thousands of musicians and redefined careers throughout the years. In today’s conversation,...
Nov 08, 2019•1 hr 9 min•Season 2Ep. 50
