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Peak Performer's Edge: Integrated Peak
Performance Program Rae Tattenbaum
Jan 27-28, 2-6 PM, 7-9 PM each
day.
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This workshop will introduce to
participants a program that was inspired by a young opera student and has
been successful in helping vocalists enhance their voice and performance.
This is a five-part program that includes Neurofeedback for
physiological balance, open focus exercises, inner journey work, mental
rehearsal, and, finally, coaching.
This peak performance-training program has provided participants with
techniques and tools that address the mental and physiological issues that
interfere with their success. This approach increases stress tolerance and
decreases performance anxiety.
Two critical ingredients for peak performance are attention and the
ability to regulate one's arousal level. This peak performance program
focuses on the performing artist's ability to manage physical, emotional,
and cognitive states during learning and performance, and to predictably
and consistently enter "the state of flow."
The approach is distinctive because of the integration of several
processes that become powerful tools, including a revolutionary new
approach called Neurofeedback. The vocalist's established patterns of
behavior, attention, awareness, and performance are created and maintained
at deep neurophysiological levels. They are related to the effective
functioning of the brain as reflected by the brainwaves. These behavior
patterns can be modified using Neurofeedback.
Neurofeedback, or EEG Biofeedback, is the process of learning to
reinforce optimal brainwave states through the use of advanced computer
feedback technology. When the vocalist consistently produce desirable
brainwave patterns (those associated with higher levels of attention,
focus, or mental relaxation), these patterns are rewarded and reinforced.
When the Neurofeedback is integrated into a program such as the one
that will be presented in this workshop the vocalist can train their
nervous system to achieve and maintain optimal balance and effectiveness,
resulting in peak performance consistently and on demand.
This workshop will address how this program has been utilized for athletes
and performers. During the past five years, some 65 vocalists ranging in
ability have participated in this training program. Preliminarily, the
program participants have shown an improvement in flexibility of
attention, self-confidence, ability to enter "state of flow",
and control over physiological responses.
A licensed clinical Social worker and pioneer in using Neurofeedback for
enhancing performance, Rae Tattenbaum is featured prominently in Jim
Robbin's May 2000 book, A Symphony in the Brain: The Evolution of the New
Biofeedback. For over 30 years, Rae has worked in fields related to peak
performance, coaching students and actors, business people, golfers, and
opera singers to achieve and maintain a heightened level of effectiveness,
clarity and ease.
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Purpose:
This program will systematically evaluate the impact of Inner Act's five
phase program on the voice and performance. A preliminary review of past
experiences indicates that participants will develop a process to maintain
a healthier voice and a performance strategy that allows for an ease of
production. This is five-part program that includes Neurofeedback for
physiological balance, open focus exercises, inner journey work, mental
rehearsal, and, finally, coaching.
Background:
This peak performance training program has, according to case-based
testimony, enhanced abilities and dissolved barriers to performance.
It has provided participants with techniques and tools that address the
mental and physiological issues that interfere with their success. This
approach increases stress tolerance and decreases performance anxiety.
The program teaches the aspiring artist a set of techniques. Two critical
ingredients for peak performance are attention and the ability to regulate
one's arousal level. This peak performance program focuses on the
performing artist's ability to manage physical, emotional, and cognitive
states during learning and performance, and to predictably and
consistently enter "the state of flow."
A successful pilot case study of the program was conducted in summer 2001
in conjunction with the Intermezzo Institute, the newly formed Connecticut
based conservatory. To measure the impact of Inner Act's peak
performance program on the performer's voice and artistry, digital
recordings were made of participants' voices before and after
participation in the program. In addition, an acoustical evaluation
was performed on excerpts from these digital recordings. Advanced
Brain Technologies, LLC completed the Digital Spectral Voice Analysis on
the voice samples provided for two of the subjects who participated in the
program at Intermezzo. According to the Digital Spectral Voice
Analysis:
· The first subject demonstrated a more focused and controlled voice
production technique after participation in the program.
· The second subject performed a piece that did not lend itself to
testing. Though improvements were noticed, the piece made it
impossible to accurately measure the level of improvement.
· The control group did not show any improvement, and in some instances
the initial recording was better than the post recording.
The Goal:
The goal of this study is to show the efficacy of Inner Act's five-phase
peak performance program in improving the singers':
· flexibility of attention
· control over physiological responses
· self confidence
· ability to enter "state of flow"
· ease of vocal production
· improved resonance and tone
Objectives:
1. Familiarize the participants with the research in peak performance
2. Identify a model for practitioners that integrates biofeedback into an
performance program
3.Teach the significance of self regulation to the
characteristics of the state of flow .
4.Identify an Assessment Process
5. Identify emotional and attentional factors that inhibit performance
6.Familiarize participants with teaching the client the concept
of physiological control specifically using temperature-training
techniques.
7.Identify the significance of EEG Biofeedback in achieving
consistent optimal performance as well as initial cortical training
protocols for using EEG Biofeedback.
8.Teach the importance of the client learning a tool for
physiological balance specifically Open Focus.
9.Identify the role of beliefs and shadows in inhibiting performance
and teach intervention of inner journeywork.
10.Teach the role of mental imagery and techniques for visualization
as well as building confidence.
11.Identify the role of the therapist as a performance coach.
And the impact of transference in coaching.
12. Identify resources for practitioners including the role
of ongoing supervision. |
| letters from clients:
Nothing that I have found in my 30 year career has helped me near as
much as my work with Rae Tattenbaum. I have discovered real freedom in
performing, and new resonance and power in my singing. Neurofeedback and
peak performance training have shown me how to discover and use much more
of my talents.
John Cheek, bass-baritone.
Dear Rae,
It has been a long and incredible journey working with you. I can
only say that is has been a pleasure. From the first day I walked into
Suite 300 to the last day I walked out, I have seen myself completely
change as a performer. Even better, I find that I have changed as an
individual. I think that I have found the inner performer finally coming
out of his shell and become a much more honest performer. Coming in to
work with you, I had heard only positive comments. I was a bit skeptical
at first, but the more I worked with you, the more open I became. You have
nurtured my art in a way that no one else has.
After working about three months with you, I had my first
performance at my annual school Cabaret. The comments I received after
that performance were all positive towards my relaxed comfort and presence
on stage, as well as my increased vocal power. It felt so good to see how
such a short time did such amazing things. Even my academics were
improved! I had taken the SATs previously before I met you and found that
it was very difficult to concentrate for such an extended period of time.
After working with you, I took them one last time and found that I was
able to concentrate better, had less anxiety and frustrations, and much
more confident going in and walking out of the test center. My scores even
went up! I was much more attentive in my class lectures and much more
involved with the class discussions. Being a high school senior, this only
helped me get into college. My grades are the highest they have ever been.
I finally made the high honor roll!
The best part is that I came to you to prepare for my college
auditions and I am CONVINCED that because of my work with you, I was
accepted into my top two schools. Both of them were fairly difficult
academically as well as artistically to get into. Getting in was such an
amazing relief and a wonderful feeling. I thank you from the bottom of my
heart for all the confidence you have given me. I thank you for this
ability to open myself up and perform from my heart. I thank you for never
giving up on me. I thank you for turning me into the person I have become.
You are a truly special woman and I am so blessed to have worked with
someone who cares as much as you do.
With much gratitude,
name witheld |
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Futurehealth
Winter Brain, Optimal Functioning &
Positive Psychology and StoryCon
Meeting
Futurehealth.org
