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Educator

 

a practical approach to

psychology and performing

Simon Ward consults with, and runs seminars and workshops for, students, teachers, institutions, companies & other creative arts professionals.

I am fascinated by the way people work and help tell new stories. My work as a Psychologist allows me to help. My work as an performer allows me to be relevant to the arts industry.

 

Simon’s currently most requested presentation topics are:

 

Performing & the Brain

Have you noticed that the moment you start to perform your brain seems to only be able to think of maybe one thing at a time? and it’s never what you want it to be thinking of??

Learn an introduction to how your brain works, how your body responds and what to do in performance to stay energised and calm at the same time.

Anxiety & My Voice

Teaching & the Brain

You Can Hire Simon for:

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Presenting on ‘Teaching and the Brain’ at the Musical Theatre Educators Alliance conference 2019 in New York City at NYU, Steinhardt.

  1. Training for Universities: Students - tutorial & teaching staff - executive staff

  2. Training for arts professionals: performers - creatives - backstage - front of house - tech crew - creatives

  3. training for companies: MANAGEMENT - producers - casting - administration

THIS INCLUDES:

  • 1:1 Coaching

  • 1:1 Consultation

  • 1:1 Singing/Voice lessons

  • Small Group Webinars

  • Small Group Workshops

  • Large Group University Workshops and Lectures

  • Conference Presentations & Panels

  • Staff Professional Development

  • Digital Products: Books, Videos, Workbooks & Info Sheets

  • Resources

 
 
 
2019 NSW Schools Spectacular featured artists workshop on performing, the brain and anxiety.

2019 NSW Schools Spectacular featured artists workshop on performing, the brain and anxiety.

PAST TOPICS:

  • Parenting for Performers
  • Managing mental health issues in drama school
  • Frightened of Fright - Stage fright in rehearsal & Performance
  • Teacher's anxiety when their student has it
  • Intergrating Psychology & the Brain into Creative Arts Training Courses
  • Directing with the Brain in mind
  • Auditions and the Brain
  • The Brain and Post-show foyer talk
  • Suicide & self harm - assessment and prevention in the Arts
  • Psychological Self-Care for artists, Wellbeing & the Brain
  • Maintaining Psychological health on a job
  • Relationships, the Brain & the Arts Professional
  • When your partner is a performer
  • Singing & the Brain

Simon has presented workshops & seminars at:

  • The Estill World Voice Symposium, London University, UK, 2019 & 2021
  • The Musical Theatre Educators'Alliance, NYU Steinhardt, NYC, 2019, 2021, 2023
  • The New Zealand Association of Teachers of Singing, NZ, 2020, 2021
  • University Weston, UK, 2020, 2021
  • Australian National Association of Teachers of Singing 2022, 2023
  • NIDA - National Institute of Dramatic Art, Sydney 2023
  • National Health Service, UK, Speech and Language Pathologist group 2020, 2022
  • The Voice Explained, UK 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022
  • Wintec University, NZ 2019, 2021
  • Danscend Los Angeles, USA 2020,2021, 2022, 2023
  • Misericordia University, Pennsylvania, USA 2021
  • Acadey of Film, Theatre & Television, Sydney, 2021, 2002
  • JMC Academy Sydney, Melbourne, 2022, 2023
  • The NSW Schools Spectacular, The Arts Unit, Department of Education, Sydney; Performing & the Brain, Audition workshops, Featured artist workshops, 2018,2019.
  • TAFENSW, Sydney; Music, stagecraft, musicology, communication, 2017-19
  • Academy of Music & Performing Arts, Sydney; Bachelor of Dance degree - psychology and performing whole semester course; Music theatre History, Production, Ensemble, Acting, MT Workshops, 2017-19
  • Panel on Diveristy, Wellness & Discrimination in the Workplace for the Film & Television Law Conference, Sydney, 2019
  • Guest interview on Psychology and the Performing Arts; Australian Society for Performing Arts Healthcare Conference, Sydney, 2018
  • Federation University, Sydney; Bachelor of Music Theatre, 2016-18
  • Crusaders Australia, Sydney; Keynote presentation and staff professional development workshops, 2015, 17,19.
  • Australian Institute of Music, Sydney; Anxiety and Performing for students; Staff professional development on teaching and the brain, dealing with anxiety in classroom and rehearsal room
 
 
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Presenting on ‘The Brain, anxiety and the voice’ at the 9th Estill World Voice Symposium 2019 at London University, UK.