1. Describe what your lessons looked like in general.

Lessons were consistent in content and maintained a steady, logical sequence throughout the semester. We would progress through the Alfred book together during each lesson and she would write notes in my notepad on what I needed to practice and what I should be doing until the next lesson. 

1. In what ways did you find your mentor helpful?

She always encouraged me on what I did correctly

1. What were your three biggest take aways from your lessons?

1. Repetition makes all the difference when learning a new skill.

2. No matter how hard you try, there's no substitute for consistent lessons and practice sessions.

3. Learning a new song or a new hand position can be extremely satisfying even if it's only a small step. 

A.  Six Golden Rules for Conquering Performance Anxiety

Golden rule six was really applicable to me. Before, giving presentations or performances was a negative, but once you're able to have confidence in yourself, the joy of what you're doing sets in. If you're not having fun, why do it?

B.  Stage Fright-Overcoming Music Performance Anxiety

The part of this article that stuck out to me was the section on breathing. As an avid yogi, I know the power of centering breaths and I think this is a really good tip. 

C.  Anxiety Coach

The section about anticipatory fear and shame was definitely very accurate. I have a lot of friends who are fine right up until the presentation and then it hits them. It's good to be able to pinpoint what's happening so they can address it. 

D.  Teaching Students about Performance Anxiety 

The visual of a mental scratch pad was a very helpful illustration of our minds. By simplifying the craziness going on all the time in our brains, it makes the problems we face more approachable. 

E. The Psychological Skills of Top Performers

This article was a cool insight into a real performer's experiences. He was able to humanize the abstract concept of anxiety and ground the narrative in a tangible story. 

F.  The Science of Stage Fright

In contrast to the last article, this article was able to give a more scientific and logical approach to the issue of performance anxiety. By accrediting the feeling to a series of bodily functions, it also makes the issue more approachable. 

G.  Public Speaking

This video was a frank look at what the driving forces behind fear are. By highlighting them, you can then solve the problems in your presentation and hopefully the way you're feeling. 

H.  Diaphragmatic Breathing

 In contrast to some of the other videos, this was a video on a specific skill that will help you cope for performance anxiety. Rather than addressing the causation of it or giving general advice, this is an exact video on how to breathe correctly for public presentations. 

While performance anxiety has never been a big issue for me, I feel as though I can take a lot of the advice to heart for some of my bigger presentations. I do a lot of public speaking and when the crowds get larger than 100 I start to feel the nerves. The more confidence you have in yourself the less others can control the way you feel. Throughout the last year this information has been abundantly helpful for not only the big moments, but also day to day interactions.