Helen
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.
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:
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 confidential private sessions throughout the week of the Wildacres retreat.
Helen Spielman, M.A. is an acclaimed performance anxiety coach who has a national and international clientele and presents classes and workshops for a diverse population of stage performers. Helen is on the faculty of Wildacres Flute Retreat and the University of North Carolina Wellness Center where she teaches musicians, speakers, dancers, actors, business professionals, and athletes 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. On the Board of Directors of the Raleigh Area Flute Association, she is a Fulbright Senior Specialist and a Distinguished Honorary member of Sigma Alpha Iota International Music Fraternity.
Helen has presented workshops on performing confidently in England, Italy, Canada, Spain, The Netherlands, Mexico, and South Africa, and in 2010 was awarded a Fulbright-Hays Travel Grant to teach at the Latin American Festival of the Flute in Honduras. She has appeared at 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, Kansas City, Anaheim, Charlotte, and at British Flute Society International conventions. 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, Fluit (The Netherlands), and Flote Aktuell (Germany).
For a full biography and other information about Helen's work, please visit her website at PerformConfidently.com.
Participants in Helen's previous Wildacres Perform Confidently workshop said:
"Right away, this workshop helped me have a better experience at Wildacres by making me feel more confident about my performances. I gained a better understanding of the thoughts that hold me back."
"This was one of the best workshops I've ever attended on any subject." - workshop participant
"This class was so much more than I expected. I learned more about myself in these six days than I have in 32 years." - workshop participant
"This class has changed the way I think about myself and performing confidently." - Alex
"This class exceeded my expectations. I signed up thinking it would help my students, but I am the one who will benefit the most." - workshop participant
"So glad I took this class! I'm excited to go back to school and perform confidently in front of a jury. Now I'm free to perform with joy instead of fear." - JoAnn
"Helen has a wonderful presence. I loved her sensitivity and honesty. Her passion for people and willingness to be vulnerable really created a safe atmosphere." - Michael Bartley
(names and quotes used with permission)
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