Helen Spielman

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Helen SpielmanHelen Spielman has worked with students and professionals for many years across the USA and internationally, helping musicians, actors, dancers, and public speakers to focus, relax, and decrease their fears of being on stage. Because she had severe stage fright as a younger person, both as a speaker and musician, and overcame it completely, her audiences are captivated by her story, as well as by the principles and methods she teaches which are solidly based on neuroscientific evidence, yet presented with humor and audience interaction as we deal with this sensitive subject. Even when speaking to large crowds, Helen teaches from the viewpoint of the individual, which she believes is the most effective way to develop performance confidence and control. She encourages authentic dialogue about this subject and offers real, concrete, and effective information that has changed the lives of countless performers.

  

Perform Confidently from Inside Out

Welcome to this class if you want to develop more confidence, concentration, and control during performances, or if you experience performance anxiety.

During this class, you will:

  1. hear the story of Helen's dramatic transformation from severe stage fright to joyful flute soloist and public speaker
  2. learn the role of positive and negative thinking and how to use your thoughts to control performances instead of leaving them to random chance
  3. find your own personal barriers and transform them to create the outcome you desire
  4. learn to find approval from within, instead of worrying what others think of you
  5. learn how to manage perfectionism
  6. experience and learn how to correctly use progressive muscle relaxation and mental visualization
  7. learn other skills for performing confidently in high-pressure performance situations
  8. receive handouts and an extensive reading list
  9. have time for interaction and questions
  10. receive personal attention in a safe environment

Previous workshop participants have stated that "this was a life-altering experience," while others have commented that "this was the first self-help class I actually enjoyed." Helen's classes are taught with warmth, humor, and support, and are rich with transformative, life-changing moments.

Written and other fun or introspective exercises will be introduced; whether you participate in them or in class discussions is entirely up to you. The class is confidential. Most participants do not play their instruments in this class, although if you desire, you may have the opportunity to do so to practice newly learned techniques.

Helen will be available for private sessions throughout the week of the Wildacres retreat.

  

Biography

Helen Spielman, M.A. is an acclaimed performance anxiety coach who has presented workshops in England, Italy, and South Africa, as well as the University of Maryland, University of Illinois, Louisiana State University, University of North Carolina, Chicago Flute Club, Greater Portland Flute Society, Albuquerque Flute Society, Flute Society of Washington (DC), Raleigh Area Flute Association, North Carolina Symphony, 92nd Street Y (New York City), The Colburn School for the Performing Arts (Los Angeles), private vocal studios, and many others. She has presented at numerous National Flute Association conventions including New York City, Chicago, Pittsburgh, Atlanta, Columbus, San Diego, Las Vegas, and Kansas City, and at British Flute Society International conventions. Helen is on the faculty of Wildacres Flute Retreat and the University of North Carolina Wellness Center where she teaches musicians, speakers, dancers and actors to perform with confidence and concentration. She has 30 years of experience in the field of education, public speaking, and flute teaching, and is a nationally certified grief counselor. Her writings about music have appeared in The Flutist Quarterly, Pan (Great Britain), Flute Focus (New Zealand), Flute Talk, and others, and have been translated and published internationally. Helen's work in performance anxiety has been featured in Philadelphia Music Magazine, Flutewise (United Kingdom), Pan, and Fluit (The Netherlands). Her 2010 engagements include workshops in Canada, Honduras, and a mini-residency at Westfield State College.

For a full biography and other information about Helen's work, please visit her website at PerformConfidently.com.

What former Wildacres participants have said:

"I've made great strides in overcoming my performance anxiety this year. I won the Performer of the Semester Award at my school last fall, and this semester I won a competition and gave a recital!"   -- K.R.

"My session with you did me an extreme amount of good. I frequently use those techniques and am immediately free of anxiety." -- S.S.

"I don't think words could ever adequately express my gratitude for all of the positive change your class has made in my life. I still apply your techniques everyday. I know that my positive energy influences the energy of my students. I use what you taught me to help them combat their own performance anxiety." -- H.R.

(quotes and initials used with permission)

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