The Performing Mindâ„¢ Seminar
An entertaining, inspirational, and professional seminar for people who want practical ways to become
high-level performers with sharp mental discipline, powerful self motivation, and develop an effective
process for your craft.
Great performers are paid well for consistently achieving a very high average of excellence. How? it
can't only be hard work; many people struggle for years with little success. It can't just be connections;
you have to be able to deliver high quality performances. Maybe it's luck? Oprah says, "Luck is a matter
of opportunity and being prepared. If you ain't prepared, you ain't lucky."
Partial Outline
Hardware: The Brain
Limbic System
Memory and Meaning
Self Image: So WHAT?!
Five Stages of Performing
- GOAL SETTING
Defining your destiny
Creating your toolkit
Seeing your future
Setting objectives
- PREPARATION
Matching your skills to your goals
How to accept your responsibility
Incredibly effective practice techniques
Care and feeding of the self image
- INTEGRATION
Using your imagination
How your brain puts it all together,
and how to help
- EXECUTION
Avoiding analysis paralysis
Staying centered in the moment
Handling disasters
Managing stage fright
- EVALUATION
Validating your objectives
Gathering the important information
Why failure is not losing and success is not winning
More
Thriving in auditions and competitions
Working with managers and staff
Preparing yourself and your team for a big change
Wrap Ups
So now what?
Comments from seminar participants
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"I have a couple of harp parts coming up this season that have legendary reputations
among harpists. I have used the principles over and over, and... performing is much
more enjoyable. The first time I was an orchestral soloist, the technique... allowed
me to approach the performance without feeling nervous. I was excited, but not nervous.
In the performances, I got everything I [wanted], plus a bouquet of flowers. I have
also included [your ideas] in my teaching." - Professional harpist and teacher, Seattle,
in a recent email after having taken the seminar many years ago.
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Evaluation after a school district in-service session: "Instructor is extremely vibrant
and interesting. well organized and exemplified his area of instruction. He is a living
example of applying the principles of the course." And one participant said, "My students
were very excited about setting goals for themselves."
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After her first recital since the seminar: "...just as I had always imagined performing
should be. It was a blast!" - Member, American Guild of Organists, Cedar Rapids, Iowa.
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"People already involved in the theatre may feel they don't need this sort of training,
but we all need it badly!" - Professional Actor/Dancer, Seattle.
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"I attended out of curiosity with the idea of leaving in an hour or so, but was held
spellbound from beginning to end." - University professor, Northridge, California.
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"Exciting and applicable to everyone" - Nurse and singer, Seattle.
The seminar content is best suited to active peformers, both professional and amateur, teachers,
conductors, performance coaches, and college & university students. Advanced and dedicated
high school students can also benefit. Also see the Five Stages of Performing.
The instructor is Michael Kysar. For details on Michael, see his Biography.