Performance Coaching
Elevate Your Musical Artistry
Are you preparing for an important audition, exam, competition, or performance? Performance Preparation provides specialized coaching to help you develop your fullest performance potential.
About
This offering is designed for students seeking concentrated, short-term coaching for upcoming performances. Each coaching session is tailored to a student's unique needs, providing:
Comprehensive assessment to identify areas for improvement
Targeted strategies to advance your technical and musical skills
Focused guidance to build performance confidence
Independent coaching or working in close coordination with your current teacher
In-person and virtual coaching option
Specialized Coaching Areas
Performance Coaching Sessions can focus on areas relevant to individual needs, such as:
Collaborative Skills
Building ensemble skills and providing active rehearsal coaching.
Developing collaborative techniques between violin and piano accompaniment
Ensemble rehearsal guidance for violin and piano accompaniment
Score study and analysis
Technical Refinement
Enhancing fundamental playing techniques and technical control.
Right- and left-hand techniques
Intonation skills
Tone production
Musical Development
Advancing artistic interpretation and musicianship.
Phrase shaping
Style and character
Musical expression
Performance Preparation
Building confidence, mental preparation, and effective strategies for successful performances.
Practice planning and organization
Strategic practice techniques
Memorization skills
Stage presence development
Performance mindset
My Experience
Throughout my teaching career, I have helped musicians at various stages of their musical journey prepare for:
Royal Conservatory of Music Exams
Youth Orchestra Auditions
Music Competitions and Festivals
Recitals
Based in the Greater Toronto Area, I offer both in-person and virtual instruction, connecting with students throughout North America and Asia, including the United States, China, and Saudi Arabia.
My experience includes independent instruction and close collaboration with students' existing teachers to provide additional guidance and support to prepare for performance goals.
Student Experiences
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"We had such a positive experience working with Carmen on an intense accelerated schedule in preparation for a violin exam.
Carmen was able to assess our gaps, provide an action plan and coach accordingly to get us exam ready in 9 days!
Carmen's technique, enthusiasm and feedback really kept our child motivated. Our child was able to go into the exam with confidence and passed with flying colours."
— Miranda Mah, parent
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"We have had an excellent experience working with Carmen for in-person and remote private coaching sessions. Her skilled guidance significantly advanced our child's ability to prepare for competitions, festivals, and the Advanced Solo Performance with Orchestra Summer Program at Choate Rosemary Hall. Especially, her years of professional guidance to our child played a solid foundation for his portfolio of violin performance, which is one of the key factors to his success in the application of boarding high school in the States.
Carmen is an attentive and engaging teacher with an ear for technical and musical detail. She possesses an aptitude for identifying areas which need improvement. She then works meticulously with a student, providing targeted strategies and feedback to help facilitate growth.
We were further impressed by Carmen's ability to coordinate and work collaboratively with our child's unique, long-distance learning setup. We live in the Middle East, our child's other primary teacher is located in China, and Carmen is based in Toronto. Carmen's ability to work as a collaborative partner and her targeted, precise, intuitive, and encouraging approach advanced our child's skill and confidence by providing a broad, enriching musical experience.”
— Yong Hua Wang & Rui Juan Xu, parents
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"Last summer, our girls, aged 11 and 14, were very successful in their remote online violin RCM exams for Grades 7 and 9. Both studied intensively with Carmen at the beginning of July until the end of August. Lessons were twice a week.
Carmen is a wonderful teacher. She is always patient with her students and takes into account their distinctive personalities in her approach. Our older child responds to gentle encouragement while the younger thrives on structure. Carmen effectively coached each girl according to what they needed.
Both girls are very proud of their accomplishment. Thank you Carmen, for guiding these young musicians to be the best they can be!"
— Jackie Ho, parent
Explore Performance Coaching
All those interested in Performance Coaching are kindly asked to request a consultation session using the form at the bottom of the page. This session offers a welcoming opportunity to meet, explore your goals and needs, and experience my teaching approach through a one-on-one lesson.
During the consultation, you’ll have the opportunity to:
Play a piece (or pieces) you’re currently working on for your upcoming performance.
Take part in an a lesson to get a feel for my teaching style.
Discuss musical goals and ask any questions.
Following the consultation, we can work together to determine if coaching sessions are a good fit for your musical goals.