The Mind Over Finger Podcast

Everything you need to infuse your practice with more mindfulness, joy, and efficiency! Challenge prompts and transcript: www.mindoverfinger.com/resources

Everything you need to get you in the cycle of motivation!

To celebrate the last episode of Season 2 of the Mind Over Finger Podcast, I have a great treat for you!  I’m speaking with one of the most acclaimed and frequently performed composers working today: Jennifer Higdon! Among many other things, you’ll get to hear about her unusual path to a career as a composer, how she approaches the compositional process, her view on the classical music world today, and she tells us about the habit that has contributed to her success.

In this very special episode, I’m speaking with violinist and pedagogue Simon Fischer, who is recognized world-wide as a performer, educator and recording artist, and who’s published work greatly influences the teaching of the violin. In this conversation Simon talks to us in details about the fundamentals of high quality practice and performance preparation, and shares incredible wisdom on various aspects of efficient learning.

Known for her hugely popular YouTube channel, which features her virtuosic performances and has more than 13 thousand followers and 1.3 million views, Lauren is a highly regarded soloist, musical innovator, and educator. Among many things, we discuss her highly intentional and effective approach practicing and learning new repertoire, how our habits and our rituals create the life we have, and the importance of having clarity in building a career.

In this episode, Lara discuss several aspects of practicing and performance preparation, including the importance of working on the fundamentals, fostering curiosity and creativity in our work, developing our listening skills, and practicing performing. 

Today on the show, I’m so excited to speak with the incredible and globally celebrated soprano Sondra Radvanovsky! In our conversation, Sondra covers a variety of topics, including how she prepares for a role, the importance of understanding how we learn, how to perform at our best, and the importance of kindness in our field.

I’m incredibly happy that my guest today is violinist and composer Kimberlee Dray!  Kimberlee is an incredible example of adaptability, resourcefulness, and courage in the face of adversity, and I can’t think of a better message to share today than her story! In this episode, Kimberlee talks about her return to music – how she answered the call and how she let no obstacles stand in the way of her following her dream path.

I’m really happy to welcome Karen Bulmer, Associate Professor of Trombone, Euphonium and Tuba, at memorial University, and host of the Music, Mind, and Movement Podcast to the show! In our conversation, with cover many topics, including: How our feelings towards practice affects our attitude about performance \ Attention, intention, playfulness, and exploration in practice \ How mindfulness helps us relate in a positive way to stress and stimuli

In this episode, we discuss many important topics, including curiosity and exploration in practicing, the importance of maintaining a strong technical regimen, strategies to learn and handle a lot of repertoire in the context of an orchestra job, and tactics to foster focus in the practice room. 

I’m incredibly happy to welcome Howard Herring, President and CEO of the New world Symphony to the show! In our conversation, Howard talks about the many aspects of NWS, including the first rate musical training , the incredible programs and initiatives that they have, the support they offer to their musicians, the richness they bring to their community, how they train future leaders in our industry, and how we can all be powerful agents of artistic innovation in our communities.

I’m really honored to have violinist Violaine Melançon on the show this week to discuss her views on the skills young musicians need to develop to become well-rounded artists. As you’ll get to hear, Violaine is an artist of great depth and a dedicated pedagogue with wonderful wisdom and empathy.  I’m certain that you will resonate with her message and walk away inspired and motivated

In this episode, I discuss with international piano soloist and composer Marc-André Hamelin! Among many other topics, we discuss his philosophy about performing, how he approaches solving problems, the wonderful reason he prefers to play by memory, how important curiosity has been in his career, and the importance of living a full life and be exposed to culture.

Today I’m really excited to speak with internationally recognized conductor James Gaffigan. Among many topics, James shares with us his philosophy on collaborating with artists, how he believes trust creates magic, and his advice to young musicians on how to succeed as a professional. I think you will resonate with James’ message and I hope that you walk away as inspired as I did after speaking with him!

In this episode, international soloist Stefan Jackiw talks to us about his journey overcoming a serious injury.  He tells us how he got injured, the steps he took to heal, the mental impact it had on him, and how he stays injury free.