American String Teachers Association Conference
Music Education: Supporting Perfectionists in their Violin Learning
Perfectionism - and a noisy mind - are conditions that seem to affect a lot of musicians, particularly violinists.
That being the case, I'm not sure if I was looking for help with my teaching or with my own mental state when I attended a session called "Supporting Perfectionists in the Private Studio" at the American String Teachers Association National Conference in Atlanta earlier this spring.
The session was taught by northern Virginia-based violin teacher (and longtime Violinist.com writer) Claire Allen and by Oregon-based teacher, podcaster and author Christine Goodner.
What exactly is a perfectionist, and how do you approach a person with this mindset, whether it's your student, your child, or yourself?
"As classical musicians, we strive for excellence and perfection," Goodner said. For a perfectionist, the gap between reality and perfection (their idea of how things should be) - is always glaringly apparent. That gap can cause anxiety and even paralysis.
So what should a perfectionist do? Should one stop striving for excellence and perfection, in order to preserve mental well-being? Goodner and Allen argued that this is not actually the solution.
Keep reading...
Comments (5)
ASTA 2025: Exploring Improvisation with Alice Kanack, Tracy Silverman and Jason Anick
ASTA 2025: Expanding the Canon - Violin Works by Women Composers
ASTA 2025: Yumi Kendall and Joseph Conyers - Changing the World Through Music
How to Cure Music Teacher Burnout, with Eloise Hellyer
Creative Music Literacy with Carrie Salisbury and Michael McLean, at ASTA/SAA 2024
Experiencing the ASTA/SAA Conference with Composer Lauren Spavelko
From Suzuki Roots to the Concert Stage: Violinist Sirena Huang at the 2024 SAA Conference
Music Education: Unlocking the Strengths of Neurodivergent Learners
A Deep Dive into Left Hand Technique at the 2024 ASTA/SAA Conference
Pictures from an Exhibit Hall - ASTA/SAA Conference 2024
Vijay Gupta at ASTA/SAA 2024: Music as a Place of Possibility
Joint ASTA and SAA Conference Begins Today in Louisville
Violin Practice and Your Brain, with Rebecca Roesler ASTA 2023
Violin Lessons: Engaging the Adult Learner, with Megan Healy at ASTA 2023
ASTA 2023 - Inclusion and the Story of Violinist Adrian Anantawan
Greetings from the 2023 ASTA National Conference!
Rachel Barton Pine: Young Students Thrive in Early Music and Baroque Ensembles
Master Class with Mimi Zweig at ASTA 2019
Workshop with Violinist Christian Howes at ASTA 2019: Improv, Modes and More
Scenes from the American String Teachers Association Conference 2019 Exhibit Hall
V.com weekend vote: Have you ever been part of a concert tour?
ASTA Conference Begins in Albuquerque NM
Intonation, a Physical Phenomenon
The Fry Street Quartet: Chamber Music as a Pedagogical Force
Teaching Adults -- Problems and Solutions -- ASTA 2015
Endre Granat: Prepare to be a Great Violinist
Teaching with Pedagogical Props from your Local Store -- ASTA 2015
Scenes from the American String Teachers Association 2015
Christian Howes Creates Structure for Improvisation - ASTA15
2015 ASTA Conference Kicks off with 'Piano Guys' Cellist
Laurie's Violin School: Off to the ASTA Conference in Salt Lake City!
A day at the 2009 American String Teachers Association convention
Violinist.com is made possible by...
Elmar Oliveira International Violin Competition
Dimitri Musafia, Master Maker of Violin and Viola Cases
Johnson String Instrument/Carriage House Violins
Subscribe
Laurie's Books
Discover the best of Violinist.com in these collections of editor Laurie Niles' exclusive interviews.
Violinist.com Interviews Volume 1, with introduction by Hilary Hahn
Violinist.com Interviews Volume 2, with introduction by Rachel Barton Pine