Performance Coach
I help musicians gain confidence and claim agency so that they can be at their best on and off the stage.
.I teach both energizing and calming skills that upgrade focus, improve memory, and minimize anxiety. Many students find these tools are an immediate game changer, and radically improve both auditions and performances. We work together to harness mental and physical energy so their best work is unleashed.
Any of this sound familiar?
Performing is an ordeal…sometimes downright scary.
Practicing is something I avoid or postpone.
Self-doubt is my worst enemy.
Confidence disappears right before I go onstage.
Ducking auditions has become a habit.
I feel uncomfortable in my body onstage.
IT DOESN’T HAVE TO BE THIS WAY.
Just imagine performing with total comfort, your true inner artist shining through every performance. Envision making music without that nasty inner critic. Imagine feeling competent, physically free, and secure onstage.
All of this is possible, and you deserve it. To help, I’ve created a series of workshops so you can have both confidence and excitement in performance. In interactive, lively sessions, I teach proven techniques and tools including breathing techniques, managing cognitive distortions, and deep focusing skills.
The results are feeling in control onstage in the best possible way. You’ll be able to perform as securely as you do in the practice room. You’ll be able to rediscover the reason for sharing your music, and redirect nerves into captivating onstage energy. I’d love to be your guide in this process.
I teach clients the tools; you put them into action and make them into lifelong habits. To be fair, it takes work, but isn’t your artistry worth it?
I’m a certified meditation teacher, Licensed Body Mapping Educator, and NASM-certified personal trainer. For twenty years, I’ve helped musicians and non-musicians from age 8 to 68. Contact me to begin your journey!
Kristine is one of the more remarkable people I have encountered in my 45-year teaching career. I have been impressed by her thoughtful voice teaching and her wide-ranging performance scope. I envy the curiosity that has resulted in her study of the Alexander Technique, becoming a certified meditation teacher and personal trainer, approaching certification in Body Mapping training, and investigation of performance anxiety strategies. Does this sound like four or more career paths? Again: remarkable.
Jim Brody, Director, Musicians’ Wellness Center, University of Colorado at Boulder
Mindful Minute
Take a minute to breathe and relax. This Mindful Minute was recorded at Cumberland Mountain State Park in Tennessee, one of my favorite places to hike with my husband.
Now available!
Body Mapping
What is Body Mapping?
Everyone has a conscious and unconscious understanding of how their body works, and we call this a body map. When that map is detailed and accurate, we move well and without pain, and our technique improves. When body maps are inaccurate, musicians find they don’t reach their potential, or they play or sing with discomfort or pain. I help musicians correct their body maps, so they can make music joyfully without limitation!
What Every Musician Needs to Know About the Body
This six-hour course can be offered in the context of a two- or three-day residency, depending on your needs.
Introduction to Body Mapping
This one-hour session gives participants a basic overview of Body Mapping and how it can positively change music making, avoid pain, and help avoid injury.
Custom Design Your Workshop
Choose one or more topics from the complete course: Introduction to Body Mapping, Balance, Arms, Breathing, Legs, or Movement in Music.
The mindfulness workshops delivered by Professor Hurst-Wajszczuk to my creative class over the years have addressed a previously missing link in business education. Business classes generally focus on concepts and skills, but not ways to cope with the pressures they may face in the business world. Her workshops not only unlock creativity and purpose through mindfulness, but concepts of wellbeing, confidence and presence. Learning not only the health advantages of mindfulness, but also important skill competencies regarding the application of these strategies to solving business issues, has resulted in student benefits both personally and professionally.
What Every Musician Needs to Know About Performance Anxiety
Many musicians struggle with performance anxiety at some point in their lives, or have students who do. This workshop will help you manage it so it doesn’t torpedo your work.
Mindfulness Meditation for Musicians
Research shows that peak performance occurs when the mind is quiet. Mindfulness meditation is a proven way to quiet the mind. In this workshop, you’ll learn several mindfulness skills that pay off on stage and in the practice room.
Introduction to Mindfulness Meditation for Stress Management
Mindfulness meditation is a terrific way to manage stress, no matter your field. This workshop has served faculty, staff, and students across a wide variety of ages and majors.
Managing Stress for All of Life’s Little (and Big) Performances
Managing stress isn’t just about getting more comfortable on stage: it can mean managing the little (and big) stressors of everyday life. This workshop helps you manage both gracefully.
Wellness for Musicians
My work addresses the whole musician. As a certified personal trainer through the National Academy of Sports Medicine, we work together to improve your stage presence through physical activity. Even nervous beginners find it accessible and fun!
Changing Your Thinking
Sometimes our habitual thinking patterns get in our way: these are called cognitive distortions. Once recognized, we can change our thinking patterns so they help rather than hurt us.
Online options: Webinars!
While I love traveling to give in-person workshops, sometimes it’s not feasible for whatever reason. Online formats are a great substitute, and I offer them in an engaging way.
Extended 2-4 Day Residencies
With more time, we can delve deep into many mindfulness skills, coping techniques for managing performance anxiety, or any part of (or all of) the 6-hour body mapping course.
One-on-One Consultations
Each musician is unique. I’ll tailor our personal sessions to fit your precise needs. We can address personal health, stress management, or kick your performance anxiety to the curb!
Want to know more?
Testimonials
Dr. Hurst-Wajszcsuk is a dynamic, informative, FUN clinician who connected beautifully with our students at University of Mobile. Our students were engaged throughout each of her activities, and walked away with many ideas, sources, experiences, and exercises to help conquer performance anxiety. We can’t wait to have her back!
The voice majors at UNLV School of Music received valuable mindfulness training from Dr. Hurst-Wajszczuk at one of our weekly master classes. Students noted how helpful the tools were in the moment and long afterwards. One of my applied students said that her stress and anxiety levels decreased noticeably with continued practice. We’re so grateful to Dr. Hurst-Wajszczuk for her expertise!
Dr. Hurst-Wajszczuk’s Health and Wellness presentation gave our students specific and actionable information which they were excited to put into practice.
Kristine was a wonderful asset to our Effective Performer class. Students responded positively to her energy, wisdom and thoughtful presentation, and we would love to have her back to work with our students again.
Since watching Kristine work the first time, her guided meditations have become an integral part of my practicing and performance preparation. She also gave a presentation to our opera workshop and was such an inspiration to the students. I recommend her to everyone!
I have seen Kristine work in a variety of settings and her training and experience have benefited me and my students. Her mind-body wellness sessions for my students continue to be referred to as they implement the mind-body concepts she introduced in their daily practice and performance. If you are looking to incorporate mind-body modalities into your work I encourage you to contact Kristine.
