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Anna Harrison Violin
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Reading Music and the Brain
Learning to read music engages the brain in unique ways, leading to long-term benefits for memory, learning, and even ageing. When...

Anna Harrison
Mar 14, 20251 min read


Learning to Read Music
Music is often described as a universal language, but did you know that learning to read music can significantly boost cognitive...

Anna Harrison
Mar 13, 20251 min read


MPA6. Strategies to Manage Music Performance Anxiety
In our previous discussion, we explored the complex nature of Music Performance Anxiety (MPA) and the multifaceted factors that...

Anna Harrison
Mar 12, 20253 min read


MPA5. A Holistic Understanding of Music Performance Anxiety
In previous discussions, we've explored the complex nature of Music Performance Anxiety (MPA), its psychological and physiological...

Anna Harrison
Mar 11, 20253 min read


MPA4. Beyond the Individual: The Social and Environmental Factors of Music Performance Anxiety
In the previous post, we explored how individual traits (such as personality and cognitive tendencies) can contribute to music...

Anna Harrison
Mar 10, 20253 min read


MPA3. The Audience Effect: How Spectators Shape Music Performance Anxiety
In our previous posts, we explored the general nature of music performance anxiety (MPA) and how solo and group performances differ in...

Anna Harrison
Mar 8, 20253 min read


MPA2. Solo vs. Group Performance Anxiety: Does Playing Alone Feel More Intimidating?
In our last post, we explored how the mere presence of an audience can heighten music performance anxiety (Fancourt et al., 2015). But...

Anna Harrison
Mar 7, 20253 min read


MPA1. Music Performance Anxiety: The Power of an Audience
Music is often described as a deeply personal and therapeutic experience, a means of self-expression that transcends words. However, for...
Anna Harrison
Mar 6, 20253 min read


Practicing for Retention: Why Do We Forget?
Have you ever spent an entire practice session working on a passage, only to come back the next day and feel like you’re starting from...
Anna Harrison
Mar 5, 20254 min read


Confidence and Connection Through Music
One of the most impactful aspects of music education is the opportunity to perform. Whether it's a small informal recital or a larger...
Anna Harrison
Mar 4, 20254 min read


Hard Work and Smart Practice Matter
One of the most persistent myths in music education is the idea of natural talent . We’ve all heard people say, “She’s just naturally...
Anna Harrison
Mar 3, 20253 min read


Turning Setbacks into Stepping Stones
Resilience is one of the most valuable traits any student can develop, especially in the context of music education. Learning an...
Anna Harrison
Feb 27, 20254 min read


Trust and Confidence in Learning
A crucial element in successful teaching is building a safe and trusting environment. Students thrive when they feel they can be...
Anna Harrison
Feb 26, 20254 min read


Mistakes Are Part of the Process
The fear of making mistakes can be one of the biggest barriers to progress. Whether it's the worry of playing a wrong note, missing a...
Anna Harrison
Feb 25, 20254 min read


The Power of Choice
One of the most important aspects of my teaching philosophy is giving students the power to choose. Learning an instrument is not just...

Anna Harrison
Feb 24, 20253 min read


Personalised Approach to Learning
Every student walks into a lesson with a unique set of experiences, abilities, and challenges. Some are highly motivated and eager to...

Anna Harrison
Feb 23, 20253 min read


The Power of Performance
The idea of performing in front of others can be daunting. Even the most confident learners can experience nerves, self-doubt, or anxiety...

Anna Harrison
Feb 22, 20253 min read


Creating An Inclusive Learning Environment
Education is sometimes seen as a structured, methodical process where students follow a set path, master skills in a predetermined order,...

Anna Harrison
Feb 21, 20252 min read
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