What Scientists Can Learn from Artists on Transforming Public UnderstandingClose your eyes and bring to mind a time when you heard music that moved you to tears. Very likely, this experience left a lasting impression; it changed something in you, opening the door to new possibilities or healing an […]
How Soulforce Transforms Arts and Music Schools into Dynamic Hubs of Inspiration and GrowthImagine a community arts school where creative energy flows naturally — where students are eager to learn, teachers are deeply engaged, and the entire environment feels alive with possibility.Students […]
Discover the surprising benefits of embracing accountability — reach your creative goals faster, more consistently, and more joyfullyMany creatives have a love/hate relationship with accountability. 🙈On the one hand, it tends to bring up painful childhood memories of being forced to […]
It’s facing the parts of yourself you’ve been ignoring.When you’re feeling stuck creatively, it could be your psychological shadow at work. 🤔What is your shadow? It’s not the “bad” part of you — just the parts that you hide, repress, or deny. 🙈 🙊 🙉By uncovering your […]
Cultivating Intrinsic Motivation in Young Music Students“I told him that he doesn’t start practicing without me constantly nagging him, I’m going to stop paying for his violin lessons,” Robert’s mom, Lorrie, told me during one of Robert’s violin lessons.Lorrie was clearly fed up with […]
Watch a live Soulforce Arts lesson with Joseph Arnold, violinist, Alexander Technique teacher and founder of the Soulforce Arts Academy, and Alyssa Lahoda, violinist.
“Code Red for Humanity”On August 9th, 2021, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change released a report which raised grave and urgent concern about human-induced
Playing from the heart is universally desired as performers and as audience members. It’s what brings our performances *alive*, as opposed to being robotic
You probably notice excess tension during or after your practice time or performances. Whether it’s a minor annoyance or a full-blown injury, this tension
Watch a live Soulforce Arts lesson with Joseph Arnold, violinist, Alexander Technique teacher and founder of the Soulforce Arts Academy, and Alyssa Lahoda, violinist. Day 16 of 100 Days of
What do you do when your shoulder pain just *keeps* coming back? How do you stop your back from hurting when you play? Have you tried *everything* to release the
One of the keys to understanding how to release excess tension in performance and practice is the difference between the “Doing Mode” vs. the “Receiving Mode.” In the “Doing Mode,”
You want to play more deeply from the heart. You want to teach this to your students. However, this longing can be frustrated by common misconceptions about what it means
“Playing from the heart” is what happens when you listen to your “Inner Audience Member” as you play. Your Inner Audience Member is the part of you that generates feelings
“Code Red for Humanity”On August 9th, 2021, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change released a report which raised grave and urgent concern about human-induced climate change. The report states that
Playing from the heart is universally desired as performers and as audience members. It’s what brings our performances *alive*, as opposed to being robotic or overly effortful. But how to
Excellent self-care is on the of the Six Pillars of Soulforce Artistry because when you’re doing really well, your art will shine and you’ll be an inspiration to those around
You probably notice excess tension during or after your practice time or performances. Whether it’s a minor annoyance or a full-blown injury, this tension makes your body uncomfortable, can limit
One part of you may sometimes feel like what you do as an arts educator as little bearing on the world at large. After all, does teaching dance or music
What does “playing from the heart” really mean? Is it something that only some people have, or happens only sometimes? Or can it be learned and mastered like any other
As performing artists, we *know* that what we do makes a difference – we touch the lives of many people through our performances and teaching. And yet, the story we
Interbeing is a term coined by Thich Nhat Hanh, who was one of the great Zen masters of the 20th and 21st centuries. Interbeing is both a philosophy and experience,
Life purpose means going beyond merely have a “career” in a particular field, but really living out, as David Whyte says, “The story you were born with.” Another important idea
What’s “100 Days of Soulforce”? I’m embarking on a mission to spread the word about Soulforce Performing Arts because I believe it is a needed message for artists of all
The Six Pillars of Soulforce Performance Arts What it means to be a performing artist has clearly evolved over time – we have enacted rituals, glorified religious or political ideals,
When we begin to let go of rigid adherence to traditional approaches of mastering our craft, there can be a fear that all standards of excellence will be left behind.
Muscle tension affects everything we care about as musicians. Do you want effortless technique? Let go of tension. Do you want a resonant, haunting sound? Let go of tension. Do
Does your life as a musician feel like a blues song sometimes? Not enough money Not enough respect And then your lover leaves you! You could let this get you