221 Nina DeCesare: Beyond the Notes - Practicing with Purpose and Building a More Inclusive Future
Release Date: 04/04/2025
224 Stage Freeze – Why Everything You Know Disappears Under Pressure
The Mind Over Finger Podcast
You’ve practiced the techniques. You’ve done the mindset work. But when it’s time to perform, everything seems to disappear. In this episode, I explore why musicians often struggle to access what they know under pressure and what to do about it. You'll learn: Why your tools vanish in performance, even when you know they work How over-focusing on control can disconnect you from the music The real difference between skill prep and pressure prep One small, practical shift to help you reconnect with your strengths on stage If you're done guessing, spinning your wheels, or...
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223 Unlock Your Edge – Discover the Reflection Practice That Transforms How You Perform
The Mind Over Finger Podcast
If you’ve ever felt stuck, even though you know what to do, this episode is for you. I’m sharing the five key prompts from The Musician’s Edge Challenge that have helped hundreds of musicians gain clarity, uncover what’s holding them back, and perform with more confidence. In this episode, you’ll explore: A moment when your playing felt effortless and what it reveals about your potential A strength you’ve been underestimating and how to lead with it The real challenge that keeps showing up under pressure A pattern that’s been running in the background and how to...
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222 When Practice Isn’t Fun Anymore - What to Do When Music Stops Feeling Inspiring
The Mind Over Finger Podcast
In this episode, I share a personal story about preparing for a major event—and struggling to find joy in the process. We explore: Why it’s normal to feel disconnected from familiar repertoire How to stay motivated when the spark is gone A mindset shift to help you keep showing up Practical tools to bring freshness back into your practice How reconnecting to your purpose can carry you through challenging times If you’re ready to build consistency, confidence, and performance readiness without the overwhelm, The Music Mastery Experience is for you. Inside this...
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221 Nina DeCesare: Beyond the Notes - Practicing with Purpose and Building a More Inclusive Future
The Mind Over Finger Podcast
In this episode, bassist and educator Nina DeCesare shares the mindset and strategies that have helped her build a confident and fulfilling career in music. We explore what it means to practice with purpose, prepare for high-stakes performances, and create lasting change in the industry. Nina also talks about the Artemis Bass Initiative and how it’s supporting women and non-binary bassists through mentorship, training, and community. You’ll hear about: Her take on representation, mentorship, and the need for change in the orchestral world, and her work with the Artemis Bass...
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220 Practice Isn’t Enough – The Real Reason Your Performances Feel Inconsistent
The Mind Over Finger Podcast
You’re putting in the work, but something’s not clicking when it counts. Why does your playing still feel inconsistent—even though you’re practicing hard? In this episode, I’m bringing two essential mindset and training shifts to the forefront—because these are the mistakes that keep talented musicians stuck, and the changes that help them finally break through. We’ll cover: Why “more practice” isn’t the answer if you’re still struggling under pressure The missing piece in most musicians’ practice routines The real reason confidence feels out of reach—and how to...
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219 Jarrett McCourt: You Career, Your Rules – Creating a Life in Music That Works for You
The Mind Over Finger Podcast
Many musicians feel stuck in a single career path, believing that success means following a traditional trajectory. But what if true success is about expanding, not staying locked into one role? In this episode, tubist Jarrett McCourt shares his journey from performing with world-class orchestras to building a career and life that align with his values. We discuss: Why career pivots aren’t about quitting but about growth How redefining success can lead to more fulfillment The role of mental health and self-acceptance in performance What musicians get wrong about hustle and...
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218 The Truth About Confidence - What Every Musician Needs to Know
The Mind Over Finger Podcast
You practice, you prepare, but when it’s time to perform, your confidence vanishes. Why does this happen? In this episode, we break down the biggest myths about confidence that might be holding you back. You’ll learn: Why confidence isn’t something you’re born with—it’s something you build How common misconceptions make confidence feel harder than it needs to be A simple mindset shift that can help you feel more secure in your playing Listen now and start building real confidence in your music-making. If you’re ready to step on stage with confidence,...
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217 Nancy Zhou: Artistry Unlocked - Storytelling Through Sound
The Mind Over Finger Podcast
In this episode, violinist Nancy Zhou shares her deep, thoughtful approach to music-making. She explores: How interpretation goes beyond technique to storytelling The importance of score study and stepping into the composer’s mind How body awareness and movement shape musical expression What musicians can learn from dancers and storytellers The philosophy behind her upcoming album, Stories (Re)Traced Nancy’s insights will challenge the way you think about practice, performance, and artistic growth. Are you ready to take your playing and career to the next level...
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216 What’s Holding You Back in the Practice Room – And How to Fix It
The Mind Over Finger Podcast
Struggling to see results from your practice? In this episode, we uncover why traditional practice methods often fall short and how a simple mindset shift can unlock real progress. What you’ll learn: The biggest mistake musicians make in the practice room How judgment blocks improvement and what to do instead A mindset shift that makes practice more effective What top musicians do differently to gain an edge If you’re tired of feeling stuck and want a practice approach that actually works, let’s talk! Book a free discovery call and let’s create a plan to help you break...
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215 Beyond Potential: Re-Assess, Re-Define, & Re-Ignite your Career with Career & Mindset Coach Kate Kayaian
The Mind Over Finger Podcast
Have you ever felt like you’ve outgrown the career path you once dreamed of? In this episode, I sit down with Kate Kayaian—career and mindset coach, podcast host, and author of Beyond Potential. We explore how musicians and creatives can reassess their careers, redefine success, and reignite their passion for their craft. Kate shares her own journey of stepping away from a traditional classical music career, debunking limiting beliefs, and creating a career aligned with her values. We discuss: The stories we tell ourselves that keep us stuck How to rethink what success...
info_outlineIn this episode, bassist and educator Nina DeCesare shares the mindset and strategies that have helped her build a confident and fulfilling career in music. We explore what it means to practice with purpose, prepare for high-stakes performances, and create lasting change in the industry.
Nina also talks about the Artemis Bass Initiative and how it’s supporting women and non-binary bassists through mentorship, training, and community.
You’ll hear about:
- Her take on representation, mentorship, and the need for change in the orchestral world, and her work with the Artemis Bass Initiative
- Simple tools to stay focused and motivated in the practice room
- How injury deepened Nina’s musicality and reshaped her approach
- Why switching to “performance mode” is key to confidence
- A practical tip you can implement today
Are you ready to take your playing and career to the next level and create a life that feels purposeful and joyful? Let’s connect and explore how personalized coaching can support your journey. Click here to schedule your free consultation, and let’s start turning your goals into reality.
Book your free consultation with Renée HERE
Download the transcript from this episode HERE
MORE ABOUT NINA DECESARE
Website: https://www.ninadecesare.com/
YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCS-18Idk_dit0drfsgodU7A
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nina_decesare/?hl=en
Artemis Bass Initiative:
· Website: https://www.artemisbassinitiative.com/
· Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/artemisbassinitiative/?hl=en
Mind Over Finger
Click www.mindoverfinger.com/coaching to book your free consultation with me.
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THANK YOU:
Most sincere thank you to composer Jim Stephenson who graciously provided the show’s musical theme: Concerto #1 for Trumpet and Chamber Orchestra – Movement 2: Allegro con Brio, performed by Jeffrey Work, trumpet, and the Lake Forest Symphony, conducted by Jim Stephenson.