As a professional musician myself, I’ve garnered a list of accomplishments:

• Featured as a “Rising Star” in TIME Magazine
• Multiple Solo Appearances at Carnegie Hall and with orchestras such as the Pittsburgh and Berlin Symphony Orchestras
• International Prize-Winning Modern and Baroque Violinist and Recording Artist
• Former Associate Concertmaster and Soloist for the Grammy-Award-winning baroque ensemble Apollo’s Fire
• Former Faculty at the Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music (CCM) at the University of Cincinnati and Xavier University

But one of the most important things I’ve learned in all my years as a professional musician is how to play pain-free and overcome stress, making beautiful music with ease while also enjoying my life and relationships in the process.

Unfortunately, this isn’t the experience of many professional musicians, which I learned early on.

When I was a kid, my dad and I used to go to concerts by the local professional orchestra, and we’d sit in the front row so I could see everyone up close. Even as a child, I could tell that most of the professional musicians I saw weren’t happy, so I determined on the spot not to be like that when I grew up; that’s why I aimed for a solo career instead of an orchestral career.

But when I went to music schools as a teenager, I discovered that musicians aiming for solo careers weren’t always happy, either. They often pushed themselves to the point of injury, and the competitive pressure to be the best was psychologically tough. I went to competitions and often won, but when I didn’t, it was sometimes hard to bounce back from the disappointment and gear myself up for the next one. I heard about soloists becoming lonely and isolated, getting burned out traveling, always playing with different people, and being far from friends and family.

What I really wanted was to be able to play with effortless ease and also enjoy my life.

The more I thought about it, the more I doubted whether the life of a soloist was really what I wanted. For decades after that, I enjoyed having a family while I freelanced and toured with early music ensembles. Those musicians seemed somewhat happier, but many of them were struggling financially, and were perpetually worried about getting the next gig.

When I was on the faculty at the Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music, I got more insight into the private suffering of faculty members and the students I was teaching. Everyone seemed anxious and stressed—you could literally feel the tension in the hallways. Far too many students were suffering from injuries, and I knew that many faculty members were feeling unfulfilled, constrained in their creativity, and unhappy in their personal lives.

Where was the joy of being a musician?

Over my lifetime, I’ve encountered more professional musicians who struggle with life balance than those who seem truly happy, who have found a way to thrive and be successful (personally and professionally), and who feel fulfilled in all areas of their lives, while enjoying a passionate career of masterful artistry.

When I started learning the Alexander Technique and applying it to my own life and music-making, I discovered that it is possible to integrate all areas of life and enjoy a high level of fulfillment. It’s possible to have your cake and eat it too, having it all as a professional musician—you just have to have the skills and practical knowledge to get it!

This is what I teach every one of my coaching clients, especially those aspiring to become accomplished professional musicians in whatever capacity speaks to their hearts, and their transformation often seems truly miraculous.

So, if you want to become an accomplished professional musician who expresses their musical mastery with ease, pain-free, and without burnout, tension, or stress, keep reading…

What Does It Mean to Be a Professional Musician?

First things first, being a professional musician means that you make a significant portion of your income from performing, creating, or teaching music. It involves a high level of dedication, skill, and commitment to your chosen instrument and craft.

Professional musicians often pursue various paths during their careers, and these paths can vary widely based on their interests, skills, and goals. Different paths include:

• Performing Artist: Many professional musicians aspire to become performing artists. This involves playing instruments, singing, or conducting in various settings, such as orchestras, bands, solo acts, or chamber ensembles. Performers often tour, record albums, and play live concerts to connect with their audience, fans, and followers.
• Session Musician: Session musicians are professional musicians who are hired to play in recording sessions or at live performances for other artists. They need to be versatile and proficient in various musical styles, often working in studios and contributing to a wide range of projects depending on their interests and skills.
• Composer/Arranger: Composers create original music, while arrangers adapt existing music for different instrumentations or ensembles. They may compose for film, TV, video games, or concert performances depending on what opportunities are available (and interesting!) to them. Some composers specialize in writing music for specific genres.
• Music Producer: Music producers oversee the creative and technical aspects of music recordings and work closely with artists to shape their sound, arrange songs, and manage the production process, having a significant impact on the final product.
• Music Educator: Many professional musicians choose (like I did!) to teach music at various levels, from private lessons to classrooms and music schools. Music educators help others develop their skills and understanding of their instrument, music theory and/or history, practice, and performance.
• Conductor: Conductors lead orchestras, choirs, or other ensembles during rehearsals and live performances. They're responsible for interpreting the composer's intent (how they want the music to feel), coordinating musicians, and ensuring a cohesive and expressive live experience that captivates the audience.
• Music Therapist: Music therapists are typically professional musicians with a psychology degree who use music as a therapeutic tool. Their goal is to help individuals achieve personal healing from things like trauma, anxiety, stress, and more through improving mental health, communication skills, or cognitive abilities.
• Sound Engineer: Sound engineers work in recording studios, live venues, or post-production settings to capture, mix, and manipulate audio. They’re responsible for achieving the desired sound quality and ensuring technical aspects of audio production.
• Music Business Professional: Professional musicians can also work in the music industry in roles such as artist management, A&R (Artists and Repertoire), music marketing, music publishing, and copyright management. These roles are crucial for the business side of the music industry and can be fulfilling for the right musician.
• Music Technology Developer: Some professional musicians with a strong interest in technology choose to develop and innovate in the field of music technology. They create software, hardware, or digital instruments that enhance music creation and performance.
• Orchestra or Chamber Musician: Becoming a member of a symphony orchestra or chamber ensemble is a specific path for those who excel in classical music. These musicians typically have formal training and compete for positions in professional ensembles.
• Independent Artist/Entrepreneur: With the rise of digital platforms and social media, many musicians choose to be freelancers or independent artists, bypassing gatekeepers in the industry. They create and distribute their music, manage their branding, and build their fan base, often with the goal of achieving financial success and creative control!

There’s no one right path, and it’s important to get clear about what it means to you to become a professional musician. What are your skills, passions, and interests? What type of music do you love to play, and would it be fulfilling for you to teach, work alongside others, or to help musicians in some other way? Are you tech and marketing-savvy, or do you just want to play?

This requires a deep level of self-awareness and honesty!

There are many professional musician paths you can commit to, so you want to make sure to choose the one that’s right for you and your goals in life. It may even be worth taking time to explore the many options before committing.

Of course, nothing ever has to be set in stone, and you can always explore different avenues later on, should you wish to do so.

How Long Does It Take To Become a Professional Musician?

Becoming a professional musician is an individualized journey with no fixed timeline.

The time it takes to establish yourself as a professional musician varies greatly depending on several factors such as your proficiency, any educational or necessary experience requirements, your personal and professional goals, as well as your natural talent and ambition.

• Proficiency on a musical instrument can take years of dedicated practice, influenced by the genre and complexity of the style of music you want to pursue.
• Formal education, practice, and performance experience also play significant roles, as does professional networking and seizing opportunities in the music industry.
• Goals and ambitions, natural talent, and the acquisition of music business skills all affect the timeline as well, and may require the support of outside parties.
• Ultimately, becoming a professional musician is a lifelong pursuit, and as my own journey shows, it can continuously evolve as you go through life experiences and your goals shift.

What Qualifications Do You Need to Become a Professional Musician?

The required qualifications depend heavily on which path you decide to take as a professional musician, so keep that in mind as you progress! With that said, here are some common qualifications and skills you may want to focus on:

• Musical Skills: Fundamental to becoming a professional musician is your musical skill. You should be proficient in playing an instrument, singing, or both. This often requires years of dedicated practice and training with the right mentors or coaches!
• Education: While it’s not always mandatory, formal music education can be beneficial. Many professional musicians pursue degrees in music from universities, conservatories, or music schools to gain a strong foundation in music theory, history, and techniques.
• Training: In addition to formal education, practical training is crucial for professional musicians in any field. This often includes private lessons with instructors, participation in ensembles, and opportunities for hands-on experience to grow your skill sets.
• Experience: Gaining experience through live performances, recording sessions, or other musical projects is essential to becoming a professional musician, regardless of the path! It helps you apply your skills in real-world situations and build a portfolio.
• Repertoire: Depending on your chosen genre or style of music, you may need to have a repertoire of songs or compositions. Classical musicians, for example, may need to master specific classical compositions, while cover bands may need a diverse setlist.
• Networking: Building a network of contacts in the music industry can be important for finding opportunities, collaborating with other musicians, and advancing your career. This may cause anxiety on its own, but it gets easier over time!
• Business Skills: Professional musicians often need to handle various aspects of their careers independently, so knowledge of the music business (including marketing, promotion, and financial management) can be extremely advantageous.
• Original Work: If you plan to compose or write your own music to perform or record, you'll need the ability to create original compositions or lyrics.
• Technology Skills: In today's digital age, familiarity with music production software and recording equipment is valuable, especially if you want to record and produce yourself.
• Versatility: Some musicians need to be versatile and adaptable to different musical genres and styles, which may require additional training and experience.
• Audition or Portfolio: For certain roles, such as orchestra or session musicians, auditions or portfolios showcasing your skills and experience may be required.

Beyond the formal qualifications listed above, a deep passion for music and a strong work ethic are crucial qualities for a successful professional musician, regardless of their role.

The music industry often demands perseverance and resilience due to its fiercely competitive nature, financial uncertainties, and the need for constant adaptation. Professional musicians must contend with rejection, criticism, and the struggle to stand out in a crowded field.

Long hours of practice, performance, and touring can also be physically and mentally draining, requiring resilience to stay motivated and keep the creative energy high (as well as techniques for reducing pain and tension!) Balancing a professional music career with your personal life, handling success and failure along the way, and addressing performance anxiety challenges further highlight the need for perseverance and resilience.

Despite these challenges, professional musicians who possess these qualities can weather setbacks, evolve as artists, and ultimately find success in this demanding industry.

Is Music a Good Career?

Whether music is a good career choice depends on your individual goals, skills, and circumstances. Music can be a fulfilling and rewarding career for those who are passionate about it, but it also comes with unique challenges, as I’ve shared from my own experience!

Let’s look at some pros and cons:

• Pros of becoming a professional musician: A music career offers plenty of benefits, including personal fulfillment through a deep passion for music, opportunities for creative expression that allow artists to express their emotions and share their stories, and the ability to establish meaningful connections with audiences. Additionally, the music industry provides a wide range of career paths, allowing musicians to explore diverse avenues within their field. Success in music can also lead to recognition, awards, and a dedicated fan base, offering both personal and professional satisfaction.
• Cons of becoming a professional musician: A career in music comes with several significant challenges, including financial instability (especially in the early stages), as income can be irregular. The fiercely competitive nature of the industry demands exceptional talent, dedication, and effective networking to stand out, and musicians often face long and demanding work hours that are both physically and mentally taxing due to extensive practice, recording, and touring commitments. Success in the music industry remains uncertain, as it constantly evolves with changing trends and no guarantees of commercial success. Maintaining a work-life balance can be challenging, especially for those with demanding schedules, and the rigors of a music career can impact mental and physical health, emphasizing the need for self-care!

That said, music can bring tremendous joy, regardless of its challenges.

Here’s what some professional musicians who have found joy and fulfillment in their careers have to say:

“Passion is one great force that unleashes creativity, because if you're passionate about something, then you're more willing to take risks.” ~Yo-Yo Ma

“I'm just a simple country girl who enjoys what I do. If I can bring happiness to people by doing that, I'm doing my job.” ~Dolly Parton

“Music has healing power. It has the ability to take people out of themselves for a few hours.” ~Elton John

“The joy of life comes from our encounters with new experiences, and hence there is no greater joy than to have an endlessly changing horizon, for each day to have a new and different sun.” ~Dave Grohl

The real question is, is music worth the challenges to you?

If the answer is yes, keep going. Find the professional path that feels aligned for you and create the music that wants to move through your being—the world needs it!

How Much Do Professional Musicians Make?

The income for professional musicians is determined by a multitude of factors and can vary significantly. One of the primary things that determines what you can make is your level of experience and recognition within the industry. Established and highly skilled professional musicians—especially those with a significant fan base—tend to command higher incomes than emerging artists, but that doesn’t mean it’s impossible to support yourself with music!

Income sources for professional musicians are diverse and include:

• Live performances
• Teaching music (salary or per private student), in-person or online
• Recording and streaming royalties
• Music licensing and commissions
• Merchandise sales
• Music production
• Session work
• And more!

However, the revenue generated from each of these sources can vary based on many different factors.

The music industry's transition to digital platforms and streaming services has also changed the landscape of income from recorded music. While these platforms offer exposure, they often provide very limited revenue, particularly for emerging musicians. That’s why many professional musicians have turned to entrepreneurship, exploring avenues like live performances, teaching, merchandise sales, and crowdfunding to build financial stability.

In short: the income of professional musicians is multifaceted and subject to a wide range of influences, including experience, genre, and income streams. I recommend finding a way to cover your bills so that you’re able to lean into your musical career from a place of passion and purpose, rather than desperation or urgency to “make it” so you can make money. And, as you’ve seen, there are plenty of ways to earn a living while staying inside the music industry!

What is the Job Outlook for Musicians?

The job outlook for professional musicians is marked by a mix of opportunities and challenges that vary widely based on several factors.

The music industry is undeniably competitive, with many aspiring musicians vying for limited opportunities at any given time. This can make it difficult to secure paid gigs, recording contracts, or mainstream recognition. In addition, the genre of music plays a significant role, as musicians in popular and commercially successful genres like pop and rock tend to have more opportunities for mainstream success compared to those in niche or less commercial genres.

The digital age has completely transformed the music landscape, with streaming services becoming a primary means of music consumption. While these platforms offer excellent exposure, they often provide limited revenue, particularly for emerging musicians. Therefore, many artists have turned to entrepreneurship, pursuing independent careers by self-releasing music, crowdfunding projects, and building a dedicated fan base. This approach offers greater control but also demands effective self-promotion and business skills.

Live performances, such as concerts and tours, remain a substantial source of income for many professional musicians. However, achieving success in live music frequently necessitates extensive touring, which can be physically and mentally taxing! Teaching music, either privately or at educational institutions, is another avenue for musicians to establish a stable income, especially if they possess teaching qualifications and expertise.

In this ever-evolving industry, adaptability is crucial.

Musicians who are versatile, open to exploring different styles, and willing to adapt to industry changes tend to have better job prospects. Building a robust network within the music industry can also lead to more opportunities for collaborations, gigs, and exposure. Overall, while the music profession offers immense creative fulfillment, those who succeed often combine their musical talent with dedication, adaptability, business savvy, and effective networking.

What are the Steps to Become a Professional Musician?

Becoming a professional musician is a journey that involves several key steps.

Here's a step-by-step guide to help you pursue your career in music:

• Develop Your Musical Skills: Start by learning and mastering an instrument or refining your vocal abilities. This often involves taking lessons, practicing regularly, and continuously improving your technical proficiency. The key to efficient and effective practice and rapid progress is to place a high priority on developing your conscious awareness along with your mind-body coordination, things I teach all of my students.
• Choose a Genre or Style: Decide on the type of music you want to pursue professionally, whether it's classical, jazz, rock, pop, electronic, or any others. Your choice will have a massive influence throughout your musical path.
• Music Education: Consider formal music education if it makes sense for your chosen genre, instrument, and professional path. Enroll in music schools, conservatories, or universities to receive structured training in music theory, composition, and performance.
• Private Lessons: If you're not pursuing formal education, take private lessons with experienced instructors to further develop your skills and receive personalized guidance.
• Practice, Practice, Practice: Dedicate significant time to practicing, even as you begin to master your instrument. Regular and focused practice is essential to honing your skills and becoming masterful on your instrument as a professional musician. But make sure you are practicing wisely: quality trumps quantity every time!
• Performance Experience: Gain experience by performing in front of audiences of all sizes. You can start with local gigs, open mic nights, and small performances to build your confidence and stage presence, overcoming performance anxiety in the process. The best way to overcome performance anxiety is to have foolproof tools that help you connect your thoughts to your physical experience, so that you can learn to conquer and replace negative and intrusive thoughts with positive, healthy thoughts that allow you to look forward to what you’re doing and truly enjoy it. I teach these skills to all of my students.
• Networking: Build a network of contacts in the music industry by attending music events, workshops, and seminars to meet fellow musicians, music producers, and industry professionals. You never know where those connections will lead over time!
• Recording and Producing: Learn about recording and producing music if that’s relevant for your path. Familiarize yourself with recording equipment and software, or find people who do this and can support you. Recording your music can help you share your work and reach a broader audience, but it’s not always relevant for everyone.
• Create a Portfolio: Build a portfolio that showcases your musical abilities and preferred style. This may include recorded audio and videos (or private or live performances) to demonstrate your skills to potential collaborators and employers.
• Audition and Competitions: Participate in auditions, competitions, and talent shows to gain recognition and opportunities as a professional musician. Winning or placing in competitions can open doors for you in the music world and looks great on your resume!
• Collaborate: Collaborate with other professional musicians, songwriters, and producers as much as possible to expand your musical horizons and gain new experiences.
• Marketing and Promotion: If you’re going the independent artist route, learn about marketing and promotion in the music industry. Establish an online presence through social media, websites, and streaming platforms to connect with your audience, but understand that these things take time and commitment to see results!
• Music Business Knowledge: It’s important to understand the business side of being a professional musician, including contracts, royalties, copyright, and music publishing. This knowledge is essential for protecting your interests as you grow and expand, even if you have a manager or agent that’s helping you out.

In addition to the above, work on your persistence and patience, and stay committed to learning over a lifetime—as a musician and an individual! It can take time to become the professional musician you want to be, and it’s far from a linear process. But that’s true of anything worth having or achieving, so don’t give up and seek guidance and support as you need it.

Lastly (and MOST importantly), you have to be sure to take care of yourself—mind, body, and soul—or else becoming a professional musician will be a perpetual challenge (and source of frustration!).

In fact, the touch-free way I teach the Alexander Technique for musicians as an essential part of The Art of Freedom® Method is a hugely supportive process that eases tension in the body and allows you to deeply connect with the spirit of the music you’re playing, using your whole self!

Besides eliminating the basic stress of holding your body and instrument with excess tension and lack of balance, learning this holistic technique helps relieve emotional stress because you're able to connect to your music more deeply, which always brings a musician joy!

5 Tips for Becoming a Professional Musician

When you begin your journey to becoming a professional musician, you’ll find there are a ton of tips online! While there are a lot of helpful, practical resources, learning how to become a better musician with The Art of Freedom® Method goes far beyond what you’ll ever find in an ordinary music lesson, and it will bring greater ease and depth of meaning to everything you do.

There’s no other system of creative learning and self-development out there that teaches you exactly how to make great music with effortless ease by taking practical actions that also heal every aspect of your whole self – mind, body, soul, and Spirit!

From this body of work, I want to share my five essential steps to becoming an accomplished professional musician:

1. Learn how to make great music with less effort.

Do you struggle with your technique? Feel like you're putting in a lot of effort but not getting results? As a professional musician, you need to learn how to make the most of your practice time so you can enjoy making progress with ease and efficiency.

It can be frustrating when you're playing a lot but things don't seem to improve.

This vicious cycle often begins with stress, which leads to trying harder and becoming stiff, ultimately making progress slow and increasing frustration and anxiety. This inconsistency in your technique can leave you feeling not good enough, even fearing for your future in music.

But there's a solution, and it's surprisingly simple once you understand it! You can break this cycle by applying your natural mind-body coordination to your playing. Your technique can become relaxed, easy, accurate, and reliable without feeling like you're trying too hard. This transformation isn't limited to your time playing; it can also affect your overall well-being.

Take it from someone who faced a recording crisis and remained calm thanks to this approach (which you can read about here)! By practicing mind-body coordination with methods like “The Art of Freedom” and “Primal Alexander”, you can trust your instincts and make corrections effortlessly. You can improve your technique and reduce stress, allowing you to enjoy your musical journey without anxiety.

The first step is to observe how you react to stress and negative situations. Then, you can learn to interrupt that cycle, reprogramming your entire being to respond positively, eliminating tension, pain, and anxiety. This skill can benefit not only your music but also your life.

My specialty is teaching professional musicians exactly what to do with the brain to get the cluttered, unhelpful thinking out of your mind, stop interfering with your natural ability to organize your thoughts, and carry out your intentions easily on your instrument. This is the secret to doing things with less effort, more consciousness, more flow… and more fun!

Click here to learn more about working with me!

2. Do the work to overcome (and prevent) physical pain and discomfort.

Did you know that most professional musicians struggle privately with pain and discomfort, but most people don’t know because they hide it really well?

It’s critical to learn how to overcome and prevent injury, undo excess muscular tension, improve your posture, let go of the death grip on your instrument, and change habits that make everything you do more difficult. This means learning to release the stress you’ve been putting on your system for years and how to move with more flexibility and ergonomic balance.

Many professional musicians experience chronic physical discomfort from misuse or overuse of their muscles during long hours of making repetitive movements while playing. Others suffer from emotional problems such as anxiety or depression, hypersensitivity and reactivity, frustration, or even burnout in respect to their professional environment.

And in my coaching experience, physical problems including injury are usually intertwined with mental disorganization and emotional discomfort—how could they not be!

After all, it’s hard to think clearly and feel joyous and free when you’re hurting.

With the Alexander Technique for musicians, taught without the need for hands-on touch from a teacher, we get to the root of your pain, rather than simply addressing the symptoms. The Alexander Technique is considered legitimate and highly respected in the music world as a valuable tool for musicians. Many professional musicians, including instrumentalists, singers, and conductors, have incorporated the Alexander Technique into their training and practice routines to improve their performance and overall well-being.

3. Conquer your performance anxiety and self-doubt.

I rarely experience pain or performance anxiety these days, and if I do, I know how to turn it around quickly so that both I and my music improve as a result.

I now understand how my old mindset—worrying about what others thought of me and how they might judge my performance—caused excess muscular tension, and that mind-body combination multiplied the difficulties in my playing, making everything harder! Now that I’ve learned how to undo that inner and outer tension from performance anxiety, consistently and reliably, I get amazing results that make me happy… and make my music better.

At the core of the effects of performance anxiety and self-doubt lies a noticeable decline in the quality of musical performance. Anxiety leads musicians to make more mistakes, struggle to maintain timing and tempo, or experience frustrating memory lapses during their performances. These challenges can be upsetting and tend to undermine the musician's confidence further!

Beyond the immediate performance-related consequences, this anxiety can extend its reach to impact overall health and well-being. Chronic stress associated with anxiety may lead to sleep disturbances, weakened immune function, and increased susceptibility to other health issues and illnesses… all of which further hinder a musician's ability to play well!

The joy, satisfaction, and vitality that should come from playing or performing music can be significantly diminished, turning a beloved activity into a source of distress.

It’s important to develop simple daily practices that teach you exactly what to do when you’re hit by performance anxiety and the subsequent stress hormones. You need to learn how to transmute nervous energy into excitement and take charge of your wandering mind, stopping self-sabotage, negative thinking, and the habits that take you away from your love of music and into the chaotic world of uncontrollable feelings and unpleasant body sensations. This lets you turn self-doubt into confidence, and deliver performances with delight instead of dread!

Need help? Check out my post on conquering performance anxiety in music!

4. Clarify your goals and claim your success mindset.

To move with more ease and less inner and outer tension, one of the first things you need is to develop a powerful mindset for success which involves learning the most important skill of getting conscious, positive control over your mind.

Have you ever heard the adage, “what you think is what you get”?

Well, it’s worth exploring because there’s a lot of truth to it. In fact, every single thought you have, even if it’s a subtle reaction to a fleeting thought that flickers quick as lighting and disappears before you’re even aware of it, is instantly reflected by the body.

Since many of our unconscious thoughts are self-critical and subtly corrode our confidence and stunt our personal growth, if you tend to go through your day or play your instrument on autopilot, this lack of awareness can present a real problem and even sabotage your performance. When you have negative thoughts, your nervous system is instantly activated towards some degree of fight-flight-freeze response, or startle pattern.

As a result of negative thoughts like these, you’ll experience increased muscular tension (just what you don’t want before a performance!) and other uncomfortable symptoms in various parts of your body. Living with a fearful frame of mind makes everything you do more difficult because your body is full of tension, blocking effortless ease and freedom of movement.

The Art of Freedom® Method helps you to harness the power of your conscious mind. It does that by showing you that you’re free to choose where to place your awareness. That is, you can learn to pay more attention to how you’re thinking, what you’re experiencing in your body, and what direction you’re going in—free of expectation and self-judgment.

Regardless of the approach you take, you must learn how to become your own best teacher and maximize your potential for success. This requires specific skill sets for self-observation and learning how to experiment wisely, so that you can find the best way for your mind and body to approach your instrument. Stop hesitating, stop worrying about what other people think, step into your innate freedom, and find your own style by developing a mindset for success!

5. Awaken your creative muse to master your art, no matter your skill level.

When I was a kid, my violin teachers sometimes said, “play with spirit!”

I would also see “con spirito” written into the sheet music I was reading and often wondered, what does it mean to play with spirit? I didn’t have a clearly defined idea, but I somehow understood in my heart what it meant, since getting in touch with the deep meaning of music and its central role in life had always come naturally.

It was easy for me, but it’s not always easy for musicians because they focus more heavily on gaining the skills to perform their instrument with perfection. But spirit matters, and awakening the creative muse begins with clarity and openness. You have to clear your mind of mental clutter and release physical tension, allowing your creativity to flow far more freely!

Intention also plays a vital role in mastering your art as a professional musician. You must know what you want creatively and actively seek inspiration around that. Whether it's writing lyrics or music (along with any creative endeavor), you need to express a genuine desire to connect with your creative muse, allowing inspired ideas to manifest from beyond the conscious mind.

Trust and patience are key attributes in this process. You have to release your preconceived notions and trust that your creative muse understands the best way to convey your ideas. Let go of strict timelines and allow your creativity to operate on its own schedule.

Remember, the spirit needs the time it needs, and creativity takes the time it takes!

This work requires discovering the origins and workings of inspiration, motivation, and creativity for yourself. Cultivate an attitude that allows you to step into “the zone” when you play, which welcomes new insights and spontaneous flow, regardless of your skill level.

Are You Ready to Break Through to the Next Level of Personal and Artistic Freedom as a Professional Musician?

As I shared at the start, I’ve been a professional musician all my life, playing with top-class ensembles around the globe.

I’ve seen and experienced first-hand how professional musicians tie themselves up into physical and emotional knots, allowing stress and habitual ways of thinking and communicating to prevent them from fully enjoying their success and fulfilling their artistic potential at the highest level.

Too many musicians have never received training in how the mind, body, and emotions are designed to work together harmoniously to achieve optimum health, prime physical functioning, and freedom of emotional expression; and how that natural design can be harnessed by a positive, confident mindset for unlimited success.

Through decades of personal struggle, soul-searching, and intense practice with a variety of methods to overcome my own habits of negative thinking, self-doubt, physical pain, performance anxiety, relationship difficulties, burnout, and failure… I’ve come to understand that there is a common root to all of the problems we encounter as sensitive, artistic human beings, and there are very simple solutions that can easily be transmitted and learned.

I’ve distilled everything I’ve learned into The Art of Freedom® Method, a five-pronged approach to living a meaningful, joyous, and successful life as a professional musician—free in mind, body, Spirit, and artistry.

There are two ways to dive into this work:

1. Grab a copy of my book, Make Great Music with Ease! The Secret to Smarter Practice, Confident Performance, and Living a Happier Life.

Make Great Music with Ease! is a transformative guide brimming with inspiring stories and practical tools that empower you to find better balance and express yourself with skillful mastery, confidence, and joy. The book provides deep insight and lasting solutions to the challenges musicians face, including pain, performance nerves, and emotional stress.

I share my personal experience in more detail, and present case studies from my coaching practice illustrating how unifying the physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual aspects of being a musician with mindful awareness can lead to greater freedom and success in both music and life. At the heart of the book is The Art of Freedom® Method, my comprehensive system integrating Alexander Technique principles with my own experience in performance, meditation, and personal development. The innovative explorations and daily Awareness Etudes introduced in this book will enable you to release tension, improve your musical technique and practice skills, and play with inspired flow!

Make Great Music with Ease! challenges you to wake up your curiosity and access your inner wisdom so you can create music with your whole self while making a positive impact in the world.

Click here to order now!

“I am a professional composer and conductor with over 40 years of work behind me. I did not realize how much freedom there is within before I started to learn from Jennifer Roig-Francolí’s teaching how to direct my efforts and find inner peace. She is a remarkable coach who understands a musician’s inner thoughts and what makes one spend hours in the quest of perfection (and why perfect playing is perhaps not the right or only quest). Jennifer’s book, like Jennifer, is a miracle. Her written words sound just like her speaking—concise, warm, directed, and encouraging. To have her book by my side is a forever gift—and I hope others will find in her warm and dynamic teaching the calm we all seek while never forgetting how to enrich our innate gifts.” ~ Michael Shapiro, Composer and Conductor

2. Explore The Art of Freedom Method® for conscious living and masterful artistry!

I've been practicing the Alexander Technique since 2003, and I’ve spent my time since then recovering my creative spirit and integrating my heart's passion with my new understanding of how the mind, body, soul, and spirit are designed to work together for creative Joy and healing.

Living this way—with authenticity and purposeful integrity—has brought indescribable joy, deeply personal and interpersonal healing, freedom of creative expression, and new life to everything I do. Helping other professional musicians rediscover their innate creative joy and how to channel it to heal themselves and others while spreading this goodwill to heal the world is now my life's passion.

Feel inspired and empowered to take charge of your life with clear action steps and meaningful practices that allow you to heal and step into your purpose and unique creativity as an artist.

Fall in love with life and music all over again!

When we work together, you will:

• Gain powerful tools to heal yourself physically and emotionally so you can fall in love with your life and music all over again.
• Understand how to relax and let go of excess tension quickly, so you can approach your everyday movements, your music-making, and your life with more flexibility, ease, and flow.
• Reawaken your creative genius and inspire others in your professional and personal life by communicating your passionate artistry with bold, effortless ease and skillful consistency.
• Live out your joyful life purpose and uplevel your career by creating a powerful vision for what you want to accomplish and take the practical action steps necessary to turn your creative desires into reality, regardless of your circumstances.
• Learn to make fully conscious choices that bring you closer to achieving your highest goals, regardless of your external circumstances.
• Claim your freedom as an artist to express yourself the way you want, and stop feeling pressured by obligations from institutions, employers, audiences, hectic teaching/touring schedules… even by normal demands on your time from the people close to you.

Learn how to do everything—including playing your instrument and performing as a professional musician—with more relaxed ease and joy, and less stress or overwhelm!

Click here to learn more about my programs or inquire directly using this quick application form.