Consider This: As a member of the audition committee, I'm not going to lie, many prelim rounds, the concept of character doesn't even enter my mind. Why? Because I'm hearing excerpts that are out of time, with questionable intonation, unrefined sound, and inconsistent articulation.

And don't even get me started on how many musicians don't have a clue about the context of what they're playing (hint: listen to a recording, guys!)

Want to know the best audition advice I’ve ever gotten?

Take as many mock auditions as you possibly can.

Walking on stage for an audition without taking a ton of mock auditions first, is like trying to fly a plane without having ever set foot in a flight simulator.

It’s probably not going to end well…

In the realm of classical music auditions, your mindset—let's call it your attitude—is more than just a buzzword. It's the lens through which you view your career, successes, and setbacks. Recently, contrasting reactions to audition outcomes caught my eye on social media. One exuded optimism and resilience, a testament to a growth mindset. The other, marred by negativity and defeat, showcased a fixed mindset.

Welcome back to 'Peak Performance Mondays.' This week, it's all about the power of focused effort. Forget the noise; let's talk about doing less to achieve more.

🧠 Mindset Shift: Imagine the impact of dedicating your energy to just a few key areas. That’s the essence of focused effort - making what you do count more by doing less.

Welcome back to 'Peak Performance Mondays!' Last time, we delved into how laughter and gratitude can significantly impact our lives. This week, we're embracing the wisdom of action with a special challenge – the power of secret goals.

🧠 Mindset Shift: It's easy to get caught up in talking about what we're going to do. But as the saying goes, "show me, don't tell me." This week, we're putting those words into practice. Sometimes, our most significant achievements come from the work we do quietly, behind the scenes.

Hey everybody, and 🌟 Happy Monday! Welcome to the very first edition of 'Peak Performance Mondays! 🚀🚀🚀

It’s fantastic to have you here. Today, we’re blending the joy of laughter with the depth of gratitude, exploring how both are game-changers for musicians and non-musicians alike.

Ever felt the relentless pressure of being 'totally slammed' day in and day out? In our fast-paced world, many of us fall into the trap of constant busyness, often at the cost of our health, productivity, and alignment with long-term goals.

But remember, it's perfectly fine to experience busy periods occasionally. The problem arises when this perpetual overactivity becomes the new norm, potentially leading to burnout and missed opportunities.

Explore actionable tips to break free from this mindset, prioritize with purpose, master time management, practice mindful self-care, and align your efforts with your goals for a balanced, productive life.

Discover how the Daily Six Challenge can spark positive changes in your life and why it's okay to switch gears when you realize you're climbing the wrong mountain. Explore the power of adaptability and share your own strategy-changing stories in the comments. Join us on a journey of self-improvement and transformation!

In the blog "Labels in Music: Are They Holding You Back?" Chris talks about how being called things like "the talented one" can actually make things tough for musicians. It's not just about what others say, though; the labels we give ourselves can mess with our heads too. When we mess up, these labels make it feel way worse. The blog suggests focusing on the hard work and effort we put in, instead of just thinking about whether we're naturally good or bad at something. Chris says it's important to balance recognizing our talents with working hard to get better. The main point? Don't let labels hold you back; focus on growing and learning every day.

Ever wonder if you can run out of willpower, or if it's something you can get better at? Dive into our latest blog, 'Is Willpower Infinite? Exploring the Power of the Mind.' We're chatting about Carol Dweck's ideas and what the Huberman Lab podcast has to say about training our brain's willpower center - the anterior mid-cingulate cortex. It's a perfect read for anyone doing the Honesty Pill, “Daily Six Challenge”, or just curious about how to keep going when things get tough.

Here's the deal– we work hard, we focus smart, and we deserve the sweet taste of progress without the bitter aftertaste of doubt. We're not summoning the dark audition arts by reveling in our accomplishments; we're just celebrating the fruits of our labor (speaking of fruits, have you seen these tomatoes?).

Instrumentalists—are you singing?

Why your practice routine needs "play-along" recordings, and how to make them.

If you’re not singing into a recorder, you’re missing out.

One of the things that made the biggest difference in my own audition preparation was creating my own play-along recordings. I explain it. I teach it. And I see almost no one doing it.

Why? Why are people avoiding one of the biggest hacks to getting better faster? I have some ideas.

Staying on task is HARD. Especially during an orchestra audition.

That's why we’re going to spend a lot of time talking about focus in the upcoming Audition Boot Camp next month.

Why is this so frustrating?

Because most musicians leave auditions to chance, and it doesn’t have to be this way.

Are summer festivals worth the time and money?

So you got into the summer music festival of your dreams. Awesome, right?

It depends. There are two main things going on at festivals. Both are equally important. But if you're not going to try and balance them, you might as well stay home.

You finally spotted an opening for your dream orchestra job and eagerly submitted your resume, already imagining what it would be like to actually win that position. You envisioned where you might live and what life would look like when you landed the job.

But then, the harsh reality hit - your resume didn't even make the cut.

Overcoming low self-confidence on the audition circuit can be tough, but trust us, you ARE good enough! Check out our five tips for investing in yourself and boosting your confidence today.

Are you gearing up for an audition but feeling the anxiety creeping in? Don't worry, you're not alone. Performance anxiety is something that every musician experiences at some point in their career. Trust me, this has happened to all of us.

But what about audition anxiety? How does it differ from the anxiety we feel before a concert? Let's dive into it.

Someone asked a great question on one of my posts today:

“Do you know the percentage of graduating musicians who actually win jobs in full-time professional orchestras?”

That’s a great question, and one that you should be asking yourself if you're considering a life in classical music.

I don't know the actual percentages, but here’s my guess…

Reframing Injury As Opportunity

I know that title is a trigger. It’s the type of heading that typically gets a “how dare she!” or “she doesn’t understand,” but give me 5 minutes and let’s investigate this.

Do You Have What it Takes to Make it in Music?

A client asked me this week, “Do you think I have what it takes to make it into an orchestra? Should I keep trying to do this?”

Ooof––big question! While it is certainly not up to me (or anybody else) to tell someone what they should do with their lives, I do have a few thoughts.