Short Courses & Events / Archive

Acceptance and Commitment Training (ACT) for Music Performance Anxiety (MPA) (3-week course)

Monday 3rd June 2024, 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM (London Time)

Monday 10th June 2024, 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM (London Time)

Monday 17th June 2024, 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM (London Time)

In this updated three-part course, you will learn how to detect symptoms of music performance anxiety (MPA) among your students/clients and whether those symptoms are problematic or not. You will also learn about Acceptance and Commitment Training (ACT), an evidence-based psychotherapy and coaching model that aims to promote mindfulness and acceptance of one’s MPA symptoms, while also enhancing performance skills by increasing actions consistent with a musician’s values.

ACT can be used in non-clinical settings by practitioners other than psychotherapists, and when applied non-clinically it is called Acceptance and Commitment Training or Coaching. Newer research suggests ACT coaching may be a promising intervention for treating MPA by singing teachers with no formal training or education in psychotherapy (Shaw, Juncos & Winter, 2020; Brussel, 2022; Kutsal, 2022; Mahony, Juncos & Winter, 2022; Paul, 2022; Ballard, 2023; Heasman-Cossins, 2023; Zenobi & Juncos, 2023). You will learn ACT techniques that are safe for use in non-clinical settings to help your students effectively manage their MPA.

Part 1: Defining and Detecting Problematic Levels of MPA

  • MPA definition
  • Detecting problematic levels of MPA using categories of MPA symptoms
  • Understanding how problematic MPA develops and is maintained

Part 2: ACT Skills for Effectively Managing MPA & Increasing Artistic Presence

  • Ethical issues in doing this work as a non-clinical ACT practitioner
  • Mindfulness
  • Acceptance
  • Defusion

Part 3: ACT Skills for Taking MPA Less Personally & Enhancing Overall Performances

  • Cultivating a More Flexible Sense of Self & Musician Identity
  • Identifying One’s Performance or Practice Values
  • Committed Action
🏷️ Price £150 (UK VAT inclusive)
🎥 Recording automatically sent to all who book (even if you cannot attend live)
▶️ Rewatch as many times as you like
📜 Certificate of attendance available

Dr David Juncos

David Juncos, PsyD, is a clinical psychologist, lecturer, performance coach, author, and music performance researcher based in Philadelphia, PA. He has 20 years of experience in treating a variety of clinical problems, including anxiety, mood, and substance use disorders.

Sorry, this is an archived short course...

We have plenty of upcoming short courses coming soon. See details of some of them below or look at the full list of short courses.

Introduction to Postgraduate Academic Skills - Join Live!
Tuesday 13th January 2026
5:00 PM - 6:30 PM
Tuesday 20th January 2026
5:00 PM - 6:30 PM
Tuesday 27th January 2026
5:00 PM - 6:30 PM
Tuesday 3rd February 2026
5:00 PM - 6:30 PM
Tuesday 10th February 2026
5:00 PM - 6:30 PM
(London Time)

Introduction to Postgraduate Academic Skills - Join Live!

Debbie Winter

Are you ready to elevate your academic journey? Hosted by our very own Debbie Winter, join our comprehensive Introduction to Academic Skills course, designed to equip you with essential tools and strategies for success in higher education. Perfect for bridging the gap between undergraduate and postgraduate study, this course offers a pathway to our full MA for students without an existing degree. We offer both live, interactive sessions and standalone, pre-recorded content.

Trauma-Sensitive Voice Professional Certificate with Dr Elisa Monti
Thursday 15th January 2026
5:00 PM - 7:00 PM
Thursday 22nd January 2026
5:00 PM - 7:00 PM
Thursday 29th January 2026
5:00 PM - 7:00 PM
Thursday 5th February 2026
5:00 PM - 7:00 PM
Thursday 12th February 2026
5:00 PM - 7:00 PM
(London Time)

Trauma-Sensitive Voice Professional Certificate with Dr Elisa Monti

Dr Elisa Monti

Updated for 2026, this five-part certificate course is designed to help participants learn the theory and practice of trauma-sensitive approaches. The concepts and activities included are tailored to meet the needs of voice specialists who want to acquire more specific tools to navigate the space with their students and colleagues.

Jazz Pedagogy - through the vocalist's lens!
Friday 23rd January 2026
12:00 PM - 2:00 PM
(London Time)

Jazz Pedagogy - through the vocalist's lens!

Claire Martin OBE

Jazz pedagogy, when viewed through the lens of the vocalist, offers a unique and vital perspective on the development of both technical skills and musical expression. In this context, the vocalist’s ability to "speak" through their voice, mimicking the improvisational language of the jazz ensemble, is crucial. This short course will focus on the voice in speech quality phrasing in a very conversational way.