Rewiring the Brain For Change
How Brain-Based Techniques Can Reduce Performance Anxiety, Procrastination and Imposter Syndrome In today’s high-pressure world, many people—especially students and professionals—grapple with performance anxiety, procrastination, and imposter syndrome. While not usually debilitating, these conditions can nevertheless reduce productivity, create stress, erode…
Strengthening Mental Health through The Arts (Including Mine!)
Posted by Mr. Randy Cohen, Feb 03, 2021 Americans for the Arts partners with the National Lieutenant Governors Association (NLGA) to educate Lt. Governors, state leaders, and their staffs about the importance of the arts and culture in America. We were recently…
Perfectionism Is NOT Your Friend!
Perfectionism has historically assumed an insidious presence in the performing arts field. Treated with benign tolerance by those who work with performers, the time has come to acknowledge the pervasive, negative effects based on current research. While some may see…
The Neuroscience of Peak Performance and Flow
What is happening in the minds and bodies of musicians when they play their best? Are peak performance and flow simply subjective perceptions of performance excellence? Or are they distinct mental states, sets of optimal behaviors, a heightened sense of self-confidence…
Exercise 2.0: Combining Exercise With Mental Imagery for Learning, Problem Solving And Performance Skills
We all know the value of exercise: physical fitness--check; weight loss--check; improved sleep--check; enhanced mood--check. But new research is showing that when exercise is combined with mental imagery it can function as a mental tool of sorts, a switch that…
Guest Lecture at Stanford University
Using Cardio Imagery & Rehearsal to Treat Music Performance Anxiety Thursday, Oct. 17th 1 - 3 PM Music, Health and Medicine Professor Takako Fujioka Dept. of Music, Stanford University
Athletes and the Arts: What can the performing arts learn from sports?
By Terry Clark In recent years, a number of novel initiatives have emerged that stand to impact upon the way performing artists are trained and carry out their professional activities. It is now not uncommon for sports medicine physicians to…
Dr. Gannon in the San Francisco Chronicle
Expert Advice: Brain-Based Techniques Help Body Neutralize "Stage Fright" Performance anxiety, also known as "stage fright," is not reserved for the Barbra Streisands and Carly Simons of the world, two singers well known for their preperformance jitters. In fact, a…
31st Annual Performing Arts Medicine Association Symposium
31st Annual Performing Arts Medicine Association Symposium in conjunction with the Aspen Music Festival & School Viceroy Resort & Hotel, Snowmass, Colorado Sunday, July 21st, 2013 Plenary Presentation 2:45 – 3:00 PM “Reconceptualizing The Treatment of Music Performance Anxiety” Workshop…
Why Are Triathletes Less Enthusiastic About The Swimming Event?
Many triathletes find the swimming event not just challenging and but also the most unsettling of the three events. Why is that? Let me give you a hint: the answer may lie beneath the surface! There are three categories of…
Brainscripting: Transforming Performance Anxiety Into Peak Performance And Flow
This workshop introduces new techniques for reducing performance anxiety and installing peak performance “scripts” that can be drawn upon in performance. Participants learn about the psychology of performance through traditional sport psychology methods in combination with new brain-based techniques which…
Research Presentation At the Performing Arts Medicine Association Conference
Viceroy Hotel Snowmass, Colorado July 26, 2012 Presentations at 10:30 am and 2:00 pm. Dr. Patrick Gannon will be presenting his research on performance anxiety and peak performance to the annual PAMA membership conference held in concert with the Aspen…
KQED Forum – Choking
KQED's Forum radio show had an interesting show on the psychology of "choking", otherwise known as performance anxiety. Focusing on the trials and tribulations of Jordan Williamson, a freshman field goal kicker for Stanford who missed three crucial field goals…
Tips for Dealing With Test Anxiety
Test anxiety is defined as excessive worry about doing well on a test, either before the test or while taking a test. Test anxiety is the same as performance anxiety that triggers a range of physiological symptoms in response to…