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
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.
Tuesday 14th October 2025
5:00 PM - 7:00 PM
(London Time)
Musical Theatre Singing Pedagogy: A Framework for Teaching Musical Theatre Singers
Amanda Flynn
This class will look at the pedagogy of teaching musical theatre singing. We will begin by exploring the flexibility needed for musical theatre singing through definitions, listening exercises, and some historical context.
Wednesday 15th October 2025
2:00 PM - 4:00 PM
(London Time)
Congruent Ideologies of the Bel Canto Pedagogues
Dr John Seesholtz
This presentation and discussion highlights the qualities held in common between the major pedagogues of the era, including elements of alignment, inspiration, vowel purity, legato, and pedagogic progression from exercises to repertoire.
Wednesday 15th October 2025
2:00 PM - 4:00 PM
(London Time)
The Alexander Technique: Principles, Application, and Voice Integration!
Michele Capalbo
Developed by Australian actor F.M. Alexander in the late 19th century, the Alexander Technique evolved from Alexander’s voice loss during performance. Voice teachers have long recommended the Alexander Technique to improve posture and vocal function. Studies have shown alterations to vocal quality and reductions in performance anxiety following Alexander Technique intervention. This short course will emphasize universal aims considered beneficial to voice users, including mitigating excess tension and breaking harmful habits!