if there's any kind of "secret sauce" with my playing or my auditioning, it definitely starts with the way i learn notes. i use a system of learning notes that is so secure, so foolproof, and helps me play so confidently that i pretty much use it for everything. it’s called the ROAM method.

it's just about time to get started practicing for your 2022 summer festival audition season. most festivals announce and post the repertoire on november 1st. (don't kill me, i'm just the messenger.) so in today's video, i'll give you some pointers about how to take on your summer festival auditions successfully.

can you fix tension in your playing? can you play looser, reduce pressure, and relax? or are you doomed to be a person who plays with tension forever? the answer is... HELL NO.

if you practice it in the right way, you can learn to master tension, just like you've mastered so many things before.

you can't trust your adrenaline-addled memory of the audition moment. you don't know how you actually sounded unless you record and listen back when you're feeling sane. your recording holds the key information you need to improve. in today’s video, i'm going over how to record your audition + mocks, the super cool thing these mics can do, how to use the mics, how to play differently for a committee vs. yourself.

nothing is permanent. there's no practice rut that can't be un-rutted. even the best musicians go through bad practice phases. so today i'm going over 4 tips that will help you start fresh. i want to help you rebuild your chops, add structure to your practice sessions, and pivot back to reality.