The Mind Over Finger Podcast

Discussions on mindful music-making, efficient practice, and building a purposeful career with the performers, pedagogues, and innovators who are shaping the classical music world today! The Mind Over Finger Podcast is a resource for knowledge, insight, tips, tricks, and inspiration for musicians interested in learning more about practicing mindfully, performing optimally, and getting more intentional in creating a fulfilling musical career. We provide you with the tools to mindfully shift your musical practice from unconscious to deliberate, from paint-by-numbers to art by flow, from going through the motions to delightful play!

208 Get Unstuck: Make Decisions with Confidence 11/15/2024

207 Zlatomir Fung: Flow, Fundamentals, and Fearless Performance 11/01/2024

206 Life Changing Thoughts: Four Powerful Sentences That Changed My Life 10/18/2024

205 Sasha Romero: From Texas to the Met – Chat on Mastery, Mindfulness, and Advocacy 10/04/2024

204 The One Feeling to Shape Your Success 09/20/2024

203 Molly Gebrian: Learn Faster, Perform Better 09/06/2024

202 Lara St. John: Creating Change: Ensuring Safety & Equity in Classical Music 06/28/2024

202 Lara St. John: Creating Change: Ensuring Safety & Equity in Classical Music A particularly important episode of the Mind Over Finger Podcast with guest Lara St. John where we discuss the context and impact of sexual abuse, the lack of representation, and how women often don't get the support they need. Lara shares her own experiences and she stresses the need for institutions to step up and create a safe space for everyone by being transparent, and having clear steps to handle sexual harassment and assault. Finally, we touch on the power dynamics and gender issues in the classical music world and the difficulty of addressing these issues in a society that often prefers to stay silent **CLARIFICATION: During the conversation, it was inaccurately stated that the union reinstated the NY Phil musicians. The union brought the case to arbitration, and the arbitrator ultimately ruled in favor of reinstating them in their positions.** MORE ABOUT LARA ST. JOHN Website: YouTube channel: Facebook: Instagram: Lara St. John & the Curtis Institute: Resources RAINN (Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network): Offers support, information, and a hotline for victims of sexual assault. National Sexual Violence Resource Center (NSVRC): Provides resources and information on sexual violence prevention and support for survivors. Me Too Movement: Advocacy and support network for survivors of sexual violence. Time's Up: An organization that addresses workplace sexual harassment and inequality. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC): Federal agency providing information and support on workplace discrimination and harassment. National Women’s Law Center (NWLC): Provides legal information and resources related to sexual harassment and gender equality in the workplace. Writers Guild of America’s “MYConnext” Tool: https://www.wga.org/members/employment-resources/know-your-rights Resource for reporting workplace harassment and finding support. The Black Orchestral Network: Advocacy for equity in orchestral settings, including addressing issues of harassment and discrimination. American Federation of Musicians (AFM): Union providing support and resources for musicians, including initiatives against harassment. Chicago Federation of Musicians’ #NotMe App: An app for reporting harassment within the music industry. Change the Culture Committee – Proposal Document: Articles Lara St-John & The Curtis Institute – Articles catalog: Sammy Sussman – Articles catalog: A Hidden Sexual-Assault Scandal at the New York Philharmonic - Two musicians were fired for sexual misconduct. Why are they back with the orchestra? Abused, then mocked- acclaimed violinist says she was sexually assaulted by her renowned teacher at the Curtis institute, and then disregarded when she reported it They Wouldn't Believe Me Top Music School Finds Sexual Abuse Allegations From Violinist 'Credible' Investigative Report 2020 - Statement from the Curtis Institute Board of Trustees The evolution of #MeToo Tainted History - Former Juilliard composition students share allegations of sexual harassment and misconduct Cleveland Orchestra Fires Two Musicians for Sexual Misconduct Calgary Philharmonic removes two musicians after month-long investigation over ‘troubling comments’ Assaults in dressing rooms. Groping during lessons. Classical musicians reveal a profession rife with harassment. Music professor retires from Rice following allegations of inappropriate conduct with female students Demondrae Thurman no longer serving in Jacobs School of Music roles after sexual misconduct allegations Music’s Perpetually Open Secret - 18 years after they were first reported, allegations of sexual harassment at the Butler School of Music have continued Former students bring 40 years of misconduct allegations against SMTD professor - As sentencing nears for violinist, four women say he sexually abused them while at UNC school - Violin professor who taught around the world is charged with sex attack James Levine’s Final Act at the Met Ends in Disgrace Opera Star David Daniels Pleads Guilty to Sexual Assault Royal College of Music investigating misconduct complaints Senior professor at Royal College of Music quits over health issues after complaints of gross misconduct upheld /episode/index/show/mindoverfinger/id/31928167

201 Why You're Stuck & How to Break Free 05/17/2024

200 Mastery, Mindfulness & Music 05/10/2024

199 Rob Knopper: Audition Hacker 05/05/2024

198 How to Create Anything You Want – Part 2 04/26/2024

197 How to Create Anything You Want 04/19/2024

196 Jalayne Mitchell: Classical Wellness 04/12/2024

195 Katherine Emeneth: Build & Grow Your Music Career 03/29/2024

194 Gloria Lum: Audition Confidential 03/22/2024

193 Conditioning for YOUR Ideal Performance 03/15/2024

192 Lynn Kuo: Positivity, Resilience, & Musical Mastery 03/08/2024

191 David Radzynski: Insights from the Concertmaster's Chair 03/01/2024

190 Practicing for YOUR Ideal Performance 02/23/2024

189 Austin Pancner: The Functional Musician 02/16/2024

188 Drew Forde: The Extra-Classical Musician 02/09/2024

187 Planning for YOUR Ideal Performance 02/02/2024

186 Gear Up 2024 with Dr. Renée-Paule Gauthier 12/22/2023

185 Paul Lueders: Backstage Pass 12/15/2023

184 Dr. Hannah Murray: Move Better to Play Better 12/08/2023

184 Dr. Hannah Murray: Move Better to Play Better Conversation with Dr. Hannah Murray of corpSonore, including topics such as: Why understanding anatomy is crucial for musicians to play with proper technique and avoid injuries. The importance of distributing tension and integrity evenly throughout the body for better music-making. The importance of patience in the practice room, as it allows for deeper exploration and understanding of the body and movement. Our views on the need for a more holistic approach to music education And so much more! MORE ABOUT HANNAH & CORPSONORE Website: CorpSonore: YouTube channel: Facebook: Hannah’s Instagram: CorpSonore’s Instagram: LinkedIn: As a gift to you, Hannah has created a code for 1 free class on the corpSonore platform. You can use code MOF10 at checkout to attend any live class or use it for any class in the on-demand library. The Pain Free Performer The Pain-Free Performer is a 3-month program beginning January 8th. This experience is designed for musicians looking for solutions to playing-related pain and discomfort who feel like they have untapped potential inside of them. If you've struggled with the same aches and pains for years and can't quite find a long-term fix, your nerves get the best of you in high-stress environments, or your students constantly ask you questions you feel you can't answer, this course is for you. CorpSonore has carefully crafted this offering to support your music-making and enhance your artistry using a 3-dimensional approach that includes nutrition, movement, mindfulness, anatomy, private study, group classes, guest masterclasses, and ongoing support. It's time to take care of musicians and create long-lasting careers from the inside out. To learn more, visit: . To check in, say hi, and find out if this is the right program for you, book a free consultation at And to drop me a note the old-fashioned way, you can email me at . Mind Over Finger Click to book your free consultation with me. Visit for my online courses as well as free resources on peak performance. Connect: THANK YOU: Most sincere thank you to composer 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. /episode/index/show/mindoverfinger/id/28984138

183 Three Mistakes You Make & How to Solve Them 11/24/2023

182 Njioma Grievous: Backstage Pass 11/17/2023

181 Sam Reti: The Future of Music Education 11/10/2023

180 Overcome Overwhelm 10/27/2023

179 David Cooper: Passion, Purpose, and Dedication in Music as a Performer – Backstage Pass Series 10/20/2023

The Mind Over Finger Podcast

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