ERRATUM
On the back cover of this book, it should read :
"He has studied psychology at the Université du Québec." and not "He has trained as a psychologist."
The Performance Handbook
Claude Webster is recognized as one of the leading opera coaches in North America and Europe. During his professional life, he has developed a unique and successful method to assist performers overcome their anxieties, fears and stress.
Mosaic Press Publisher
"Claude offers a means to enter into oneself and take advantage - physically, mentally, and emotionally - of all the conscious and unconscious ressources of one’s brain in order to replace nervousness and anxiety with pleasure. "
Yannick Nézet-Séguin
Conductor, Musical director of the Metropolitan Opera of New York, the Philadelphia Orchestra and the Metropolitan Orchestra of Montreal
(in the preface of Claude’s book The Performance Handbook)
Lectures/Workshops
A lecture with Claude offers concrete tools to help musicians as well as anyone under stress prepare themselves for the psychological aspect of a performance. It will help them understand the: «why, how and when » of such a preparation. Inspired from the latest approach (sport psychology, stress management, emotional intelligence and mindfulness) he will show them easy and effective strategy to make sure they give their best and hopefully surpass themselves when under pressure.
The first part of a presentation usually addresses
Basic principles of performance
Mind game = outer game versus inner game
Flow state : 3 characteristics
3 angles for optimal preparation :
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Goals (long term, short term, actions)
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Mental preparation (tools for the mind)
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Face your fears (stress management)
Testimonials
"The group classes with Claude were unforgettable, and have completely changed the way I think of and prepare for auditions.Claude with his inspiring positive energy and his delightful personality carried me into a profound and sincere journey - to observe my thoughts, my patterns, and to slowly plant the seeds for a positive transformation."
Shiri Hershkovitz
Soprano
"His experience and knowledge of repertoire make him an essential guide to the progress and development of any lyric artist. A communicator endowed with a contagious energy, he animates each of his classes with masterfully and brilliance."
Michel Beaulac
Artistic Director, Montreal Opera
"Pianist and renowned vocal coach, Claude has acquired over the years an unparalleled experience. He knows how to integrate not only the musical elements, lyrical diction and interpretation, but also the performance approach that allows the singer to always give their best and to take each situation as an opportunity to develop."
Chantal Lambert
Director, Atelier lyrique, Montreal Opera
(Young Artist Program of Montreal Opera)
Overview of how I see Performance Preparation
Stress management
Tools for the mind #1
Témoignages
French Canadian vocal coach Claude Webster, has been internationally sought after as a leading specialist in French repertoire. Since 2004, he has been invited every year to the International Vocal Arts Institute in Tel-Aviv.
He has also been on faculty at programs in Berlin, New York, Miami, Ravinia, Puerto Rico, Montreal, Toronto and Virginia. He was the head coach at Opera de Montréal’s young artist program "L’Atelier lyrique de l’Opéra de Montréal" from 1997 to 2017 and he remained with the company as the chorus master; a position he started in 2007.
Constantly looking for new ways to help singers, he specialized himself in performance preparation. He holds a certificate in psychology from the Université du Québec à Montréal (UQAM) and is also a certified professional Neuro Linguistic Programming (NLP) coach and instructor as well as a Professional Certified Coach (PCC) with the International Coaching Federation (ICF).
Claude Webster
He regularly gives lectures and workshops in colleges and conservatories on stress management and mental preparation for performances. He published a book Atteindre sa zone d’excellence (Reaching you inner zone of excellence) based on his workshops.
His new book: The Performance Handbook for musicians, singers & performers is due to be released in july 2021.
In the last few years, Claude gave several workshops for various organizations.
Yale School of music 2021
Conservatoire de musique du Québec 2021
Cegep Vincent d’Indy 2013, 2016, 2017, 2021
Conseil des métiers d’art du Québec 2020
Opera studio of New Zealand 2020
New England Conservatory in Boston 2020
Conservatoire de musique de Gatineau 2019
Recyc-Québec in Montréal 2019
Cegep St-Laurent 2016-2019
Conservatoire de musique de Rimouski 2018
Conservatoire de musique de Trois-Rivières 2017-
