The effects of Mindfulness for Singers An 8

The effects of Mindfulness for Singers: An 8 -week intervention replication study for University and Conservatoire vocalists Presented by Anne-Marie Czajkowski

Outline The Mindfulness for Singers pilot study background (2013) The current Mindfulness for Singers replication study (2015 -2017)

Mindfulness for Singers: The pilot study 2013 9 student participants MBSR modified for singers Pre-post intervention Five Facet Mindfulness Questionnaire (Baer, Smith, Hopkins, Krietemeyer, & Toney, 2006) Improvements in all facets – significant in Non-Judge and Non-React. One-to-one 20 -30 minute semi-structured interviews Teachers’ blind study

Mindfulness for Singers: The pilot study 2013 Mindfulness-naïve singing teachers’ blind study 3 female teachers of voice at the University of Leeds who taught a combined total of 32 students. Identified 6 of 8 eligible student participants

Mindfulness for Singers: The pilot study 2013 Findings Body and aural awareness improved singing technical learning = improved sound and text communication Improved problem solving Improved teacher/pupil relationships Improved concentration/focus in lessons, practice and performance Improved performance anxiety, creativity, taking criticism Improvements in daily life

Mindfulness for Singers: The pilot study 2013 Ph. D Replication of the Mindfulness for Singers (Mf. S) study for longer and with more rigour. Exploratory study of the effects of mindfulness on musicians (not just singers) at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama, London.

Mindfulness for Singers: The replication Ran from 2015 -2017 University of Leeds and Leeds College of Music (music conservatoire) collaboration Teachers’ blind study 3 -month longitudinal interview study Anonymous diary element FFMQ and Mindfulness for Musicians (Mf. M) questionnaire (Uni = Controlled, College = RCT)

Mindfulness for Singers: The replication 39 completed the course and both questionnaires 38 completed first interviews (M, n=5) 26 completed second 3 -month interviews. (M, n=3) Uni = 17 experimental participants; 11 controls College = 22 experimental participants: 10 wait-list controls

Mindfulness for Singers: The replication Mindfulness naïve teacher blind study 31 of 39 student participants eligible for teachers’ study 11 singing teachers; total students n=136 Teachers correctly identified 19 of the 31 eligible students.

Mindfulness for Singers: The replication Mindfulness naïve teacher blind study Improvements in observed changes in student behaviour: Attitude to teacher Attitude to lesson Attitude to learning singing technique Attitude to their own voice / personality Unexpected changes observed in performance (exams, gigs etc. )

Mindfulness for Singers: The replication FFMQ Questionnaire results University FFMQ Observe * FFMQ Describe * FFMQ Act with Awareness FFMQ Non-React * FFMQ Non-Judge College FFMQ Observe * FFMQ Describe * FFMQ Act with Awareness * FFMQ Non-React * FFMQ Non-Judge * Significant to p<. 05* Not significant

Mindfulness for Singers: The replication Mf. M Questionnaire results University Mf. M Observe Mf. M Describe * Mf. M Act with Awareness Mf. M Non-React * Mf. M Non-Judge * College Mf. M Observe * Mf. M Describe * Mf. M Act with Awareness * Mf. M Non-React * Mf. M Non-Judge Significant to p<. 05* Not significant

Mindfulness for Singers: The replication Findings overview Improvements in student life and general wellbeing Effects in singing lessons/teacher relationships Private solo singing practice Rehearsal and ensembles practice Vocal performance

Mindfulness for Singers: The replication Effects in singing lessons/teacher relationships Photo: John Drysdale

Mindfulness for Singers: The replication Effects in singing lessons/teacher relationships “…Then doing support, my singing teacher was like, ‘You need to get in the abdominal muscles, you need to do this, ’ and I was able to be like, ‘Oh yes, I know where that is, ’ because I focused on it. When I could feel the breathing going through it, I suddenly knew where all the little pieces fit together. So it made such a difference. I was able to just locate it, whereas before I was often quite confused about it and I would think I was doing it. ” (Participant C 5)

Mindfulness for Singers: The replication Effects in solo singing practice Photo: Albert. Herring

Mindfulness for Singers: The replication Effects in solo singing practice “I was really quite surprised when I did some mindfulness techniques and it didn’t make it 1, 000 times better, but it did mean that I could do that little bit of practice, whereas otherwise I would have just gone home. ” (Participant U 9)

Mindfulness for Singers: The replication Effects in performance MPA = Music Performance Anxiety Photos: https: //www. lcm. ac. uk/ba-hons-music-songwriting/

Mindfulness for Singers: The replication Effects in performance Photos: https: //www. musicacademy. org/

Mindfulness for Singers: The replication Effects in performance “Mindfulness can really help you to find that sweet spot, and just express what you want to express, how you actually want to express it and not just using that muscle memory or that mechanical side. ” (Participant C 8)

Mindfulness for Singers: The replication Effects in performance Totally nailed it! “Thank you for giving us an opportunity …to have enjoyable moments while we perform and not shake all the time!” (Participant C 14) Photos: https: //www. musicacademy. org/

Mindfulness for Singers: The replication Daily life Lifestyle and sleep Academic life Stress/anxiety Developing awareness Friends and family The non-singing musician

Mindfulness for Singers: The replication Recommendations “I would recommend it to other singers because you are your instrument. I don't think you could ever be too aware of that. ” (U 5) “Mindfulness has made me aware of the talent that I have and the ability that I have…it's made me fall back in love with singing and the pleasure that I get from singing. ” (U 7)

Mindfulness for Singers: The replication Conclusion Thank you for listening!