The Path to Optimal Performance - September 21 - 23, 2017
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The challenge of performing in demanding contexts including auditions, competitions and important concerts can have a deleterious effect on performance. Elite musicians, regardless of their level of development and performance experience, can be adversely affected by stress.
The Path to Optimal Performance Residency, led by renowned trumpeter and performance coach Bill Williams, is designed to provide insight into the mechanics of stress and to introduce techniques to improve performance in a variety of challenging contexts.
The residency will include a discussion of the stress response, an examination of individual strengths/weaknesses and the introduction of techniques designed to help focus energy and attention during important performances.
Musicians from all performance areas are invited to attend. It is recommended that attendees go the Crane Wellness Moodle site and review the "Stress, Centering, Mental Rehearsal" document posted there prior to the residency. Mr. Williams also recommends beginning to work on the Centering Process beforehand.
Event Schedule
Thursday, September 21
7 - 8:30 p.m.
*Introductory Lecture
Wakefield
Friday, September 22
9 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
Individual Coaching Session (Sign-Up Required)
Green Room
2 - 3:50 p.m.
*Small Group Interactive
Performance Skill Training Sessions (Sign-Up Required)
C109
4:30 - 7 p.m.
Individual Coaching Session (Sign-Up Required)
Green Room
Saturday, September 23
10 a.m. - Noon
*Brass Masterclass
C107
* Events free and open to the public
Note: The sign-up sheets for Individual Coaching Sessions and Small Group Interactive Performance Skill Training Sessions (for those who would like to perform for Bill Williams) will be posted by Dr. Lai’s office (A120).
Bill Williams Biography
Bill Williams has performed as principal trumpet and soloist with orchestras and festivals internationally. His activities have included an extensive range of performances, recordings and tours with major orchestras including the San Francisco Symphony, the Berner Symphonieorchester, the Barcelona Symphony and many other orchestras in the US, Europe and Asia. He has performed chamber music at a variety of festivals internationally and with leading ensembles including the St. Paul Chamber Orchestra, Frankfurt Germany-based Ensemble Modern and Tafelmusik Baroque Orchestra. During the summers, he serves as a faculty member at the Music Academy of the West in Santa Barbara, California and performs as solo trumpet of the Gstaad/Menuhin Festival Orchestra.
In addition to his performing life, Bill is a highly regarded teacher and educational advisor. He served as Dean of the New World Symphony, leading program expansion activities during a transformative time in its history. In early 2017, he was invited to serve as an inaugural Artist/Faculty member of Youth Music Culture Guangdong, a Chinese cultural initiative, in collaboration with cellist Yo-Yo Ma, conductor Michael Stern and members of the Silk Road Ensemble. In demand, internationally as a performance psychology coach, he has a private practice based in Santa Fe, New Mexico. Bill has served as a performance psychology faculty member/lecturer at institutions including the New World Symphony, the Juilliard School, the Eastman School of Music, the University of Michigan, the Curtis Institute and the Zurich Conservatory.
Bill was awarded a Bachelor’s degree in Music Performance with the Performer’s Certificate from the Eastman School of Music, where his main teachers were Charles Geyer and Barbara Butler. He was also awarded the Master of Arts degree in Psychology from the New School for Social Research (New York, NY.)
http://www.optimalperformance.info