Performance program mentors musicians

For five days, musicians will flock to Bloomington from across the globe to partake in performance training at Indiana University’s Jacobs School of Music.

Jeff Nelsen, founder and director of the Fearless Performance Seminar for Musicians, will head the program from May 30 to June 3.

“Performance is everywhere in all of our lives,” Nelsen said. “It doesn’t matter what you do. Excellence is excellence, and everything you do goes through the filter of performance.”

Now in its sixth year, the idea blossomed from Nelsen’s desire to reach more than  his own students. With a musician from Australia attending this year’s program, Nelsen has surpassed his goal.

He has been able to reach a global audience with news of his seminar through posters, Facebook and word of mouth.

“The biggest thing they can realize is that performance happens in every area of their life, not just when they pick up an instrument,” Nelsen said.

The seminar changes every year, he said, so those who return will not be getting the same experience.

Through daily performances, lectures and a few surprises, participants are always in for a treat, he said.

Guest faculty member David Cutler, who wrote the book “The Savvy Musician,” will attend this year’s seminar. Another highlight will include a Friday night performance by Nelsen and Jessie Thoman, assistant director for the program.

“I’ve been working with Jeff since its inception,” Thoman said. “Not only is it good to be refreshed, but it is life changing every time.”

Nelsen approached Thoman with the idea, and she said she was more than happy to aid in his vision.

“Jeff is probably one of the most influential people in my life I have ever met,” Thoman said. “He is the best teacher and mentor I’ve ever had. He has opened up a world I didn’t know or think I deserved.”

The participants play tubas, trumpets, guitars and contribute vocals, and come from different backgrounds.

Be it students or teachers, amateurs or professionals, all are welcome.

“All the ideas can be placed into the context in which you are in,” Thoman said. “The seminar is open to anyone interested in learning to perform their best.”

Jacobs graduate Julie Gerhardt participated in the program during the past two summers.

“I wanted to get insight into what I could do mentally to seem more present and calm in my audition experience,” Gerhardt said.

“It’s really easy as a musician to get worked up when you have to perform in front of someone, especially when you’re used to practicing alone in a practice room.”

She studied French horn performance under Nelsen during her two years at IU.

“The Fearless seminar is a week-long embodiment of the principles he features throughout the course of the year,” Gerhardt said.

She would return for this year’s seminar if it did not clash with an audition.

“As a performer and human being, we’re always evolving within ourselves and adjusting to different perspectives or encounters with people,” Gerhardt said. “My perception and his presentation evolve, and there’s always something new to get.”

Although she enjoyed the entire process Nelsen created, Gerhardt said she found the inspiration sheet exercise, in particular, to be helpful. This technique includes technical advice, memorization techniques or encouragement for music auditions.

“I feel more confident than I’ve ever felt as a performer, rather than feeling more confident in the practice room and going into the performance feeling less than my best,” she said.

Through a variety of lessons, Nelsen provides students with essential information. Gerhardt said her favorite part of the seminar was the talent show.

“Everyone has to do a talent that gets away from their instrument,” she said.
 
“Sometimes I felt we were less inhibited in that performance than when we were playing our instruments.”

She said this seminar serves as a perk of attending one of the best music schools in the country.

“With so many music majors, it’s easy to get lost in the crowd,” Gerhardt said. “This is just an additional resource we can take advantage of that allows us to stand out from the crowd in Bloomington and when we get out to money-making performance
situations.”

“Perform best when it matters  most,” states the seminar’s tagline.

“It’s definitely something I see as becoming a movement,” Thoman said. “It’s about feeling good about yourself and working hard and developing yourself to be the best you can be, not comparing yourself to others.”

She said she sees it in everyone that comes through the seminar.

“The positive energy and amazing people we work with are transformative,” she said. “You have to breathe accountability and love for what you do. Anyone willing to participate and listen will gain enormous benefits.”

In an effort to expand the program, Nelsen will teach a similar seminar July 11-15, which will include information on music education. 

“My favorite part is getting to affect other musicians’ lives,” Nelsen said. “People realize their music making is connected to everything they do in life and every choice they make.”