You spend years preparing for a challenging, but wonderful job in the spotlights.
Then you perform during a brief moment in time. 
Something you worked towards for a long time. 
​You do that in front of an audience and colleagues with high expectations.

That puts a lot of pressure on you.
And that comes at a price.
Unless you work preventatively on your psychological flexibility.
​
My trainees are passionate performers (music students, professional musicians, speakers, teachers) who suffer from nerves, stage fright/panic, worry, or they are highly self-critical.

They see themselves as perfectionists who find it hard to stop.

They don't want to rely on medication, such as beta blockers, to cope with the job.

They long for more inner peace and self-confidence.

They seek healthy and sustainable ways, to present themselves before their audiences, with greater confidence, strength, and dignity.

They are willing to show up for themselves and their personal growth, with the same dedication they always brought to their work/passion.​

Let’s prACTice mindful musicianship

Learn now, in a relaxed way, how to handle the discomforts of performing as a stage artist and how to switch between action and rest.
Many professional performers suffer from: 
  • (music) performance anxiety (MPA), stage fright 
  • social anxiety 
  • perfectionism 
  • procrastination 
  • shame 
  • burnout 
  • career insecurity 
  • pain and injuries

Since every aspect of our experience (body, mind, emotions, behavior) interacts holistically,
Let's prACTice is a training in which we, preferably in a preventative (or otherwise restorative) way, take care of our well-being and resilience as a performer.

We do this by developing skills such as mindfulness, compassion, and dedicated movement.

This means you become very aware of your total experience and learn to interact and connect with yourself, your art, and colleagues in a compassionate and realistic way.

This results in conscious action based on your needs and possibilities in the moment, with your values as the undercurrent.

Let's prACTice combines: 

1. Mindfulness for performing artists (MBSR/MBCT) 

  • Coping with stress 
  • Focus on the here and now 
  • Attention to thoughts, body, and emotions 
  • Finding inner silence 
  • Stop worrying 
  • Self-care 

2. Acceptance and Commitment Training for performing artists (ACT)  

  • Making space for unpleasant feelings 
  • Detaching yourself from difficult thoughts 
  • Looking at yourself in a new way
  • Focusing on the present 
  • Reflecting on what you find important 
  • Investing in what makes your life valuable and meaningful

​3. Compassion (Heartfulness) for performing artists (MBST)  

  • ​Dealing with self-criticism (the inner critic) 
  • Paying attention to your needs 
  • Coping with anger and shame 
  • Appreciation for the body 
  • Seeing the good 
  • Self-love and forgiveness 
  • Values and self-worth

Dr. Tamara Cuypers °1975

Around the turn of the century, Tamara Cuypers earned two Masters in Music and a Doctor of Musical Arts in Performance, in Belgium and the US (Arizona State University).

She was a professional performing classical musician until a lung disease forced her to reorient herself in her late 30s.

As a musician and teacher, she saw many students and professionals with stage fright, shame, and stress. She was surprised that the curriculum paid little attention to the challenges of performing and living as a performing artist. Therefore, she pursued training in third-generation behavioral therapy (mindfulness, ACT), creative coaching, hypnotherapy, inner child work, and more.
It became her mission to guide professional performers and students toward greater well-being on and off the stage.

Currently, she is a policy advisor and teacher trainer at KATZ, the Torhout Art Academy, where she also teaches the Body & Mind Lab.  She has a private practice since 2015, where she trains podium artists in their psychological flexibility (in her studio and online).

She gives lectures and workshops in schools, choirs, orchestras, and other ensembles.

She is the author of the book "The PAUSE Method," which can be used as a guideline for 'Let's prACTice' (only available in dutch)

Diplomas & Certificates

Doctor of Musical Arts in Performance, Arizona State University
Master of Music in Performance, Arizona State University
Master of Music + Pedagogy Diploma, Ghent Conservatory

Mindfulness Trainer for Adults (MBSR/MBCT), David Dewulf's I AM Institute
Individual Mindfulness Trainer (iMBCT), Rob Brandsma's Center for Mindfulness
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, ACT in Actie with Tim Batink

​Creative Coach, Postgraduate Program at Artevelde University of Applied Sciences

Yoga Instructor RYS200, Akasha Yoga Academy, Bali
Yin Yoga Instructor YAC50, Mirjam Wagner, Green Path Yoga
​
Kindertolk at Present Child, Zienderogen Beter
Mindfulness Trainer for Children, David Dewulf's I AM Institute
Hypnotherapy for Children and Adults, Hypnosis Institute Netherlands, Amsterdam
Holistic Children's Yoga, Arterre
Holistic Children's Yoga Therapist, Arterre
Individual Children's Yoga Therapist, You-Ki
Teen Yoga, You-Ki
Parent & Child Yoga, Kreakatau
Heppiemassage, Integrama

Someone once said: "Tamara's coaching is like a dance, a tango."
Expect seriousness, depth, and stillness.
But also playfulness, flow, and humor.
Expect to dance in the moment.
Giving and taking.
Leading and following.
Inhaling and exhaling.
​Doing and being.