What to think of and get done before you can step on stage. Nathalie’s Vlog #38
In this vlog three very important things to get covered BEFORE you step on stage! Some of these might seem trivial, but in the midst of preparing musically, it is very easy to forget or postpone until the very last minute…and that can underminde your performance.I edited this vlog on…
How your thoughts influence your practice. Nathalie’s Vlog #36
Ahhh, our lovely brains. They can work so much for us, but if we aren’t careful, it can very much do the opposite too. A couple of years ago, I really noticed how my thoughts were undermining my practice rather than helping it, and so in this vlog I am…
What if you don’t like the music of a Great Composer? [requested video #3]. Nathalie’s Vlog #16
Music is such a marvelous thing, just as people are, but it’s also human to not love the music by all composers…just like it’s human to not like all people. Totally fine! However, sometimes we need to perform pieces of composers that we don’t seem to like, even if the…
How much should we practice? [requested video #1]. Nathalie’s Vlog #13
My grandfather always used to say “There’s nothing more fun than practice!” and then he would do what he loved most…and practice piano. As a kid, I had serious doubts about his priorities in life, but now that I’m older, I understand more what he meant.So how much should we…
The Universal Connections of Music and Fulbright
In my never ending pursuit of becoming the best musician I can possibly be, Fulbright aided me in successfully taking my next step. In the last couple of months I have become friends with people from all over the world, including the US, Korea, New-Zealand, Japan, Mexico, Chile, Costa Rica,…
Studeren in de Verenigde Staten: van droom naar werkelijkheid
Indien het je ambitie is om net als ik in de Verenigde Staten te studeren, ben ik ervan overtuigd dat dit artikel je kan helpen bij het waarmaken van je plannen. De beslissing nemen om deze droom na te jagen is de eerste grote stap, maar het is een lange…
My US Audition Adventure: fundraising result
THE FUNDRAISING EVENT – RESULT Exactly three weeks ago, I threw my very first fundraiser to help fund my studies in the USA. I must say I had no idea what to expect, how many people would make it, how much money this project would raise…I was only convinced it…
Per aspera, ad astra
Why love is the answer to everything If you’ve had the time to scroll through my website, you might have noticed I want to study at Jacobs School of Music as of August this year. It’s been quite an adventure so far, with loads of studying, preparing, writing, playing, gritting…
My US Audition adventure: the verdict (+exciting announcement!)
Welcome back to the series! I know it’s been a loooooooong time since I’ve promised to keep you guys posted. Truth is a lot of different events kept alternating the definite outcome of the audition process. That’s why I procrastinated writing this blogpost. But ever since the end of 2018,…
Five Personally Tested and Approved Tips to Overcome Stage Fright
Whether you’re a musician, an actor, a comedian, a motivational speaker or you find yourself about to go on stage for any other reason...you might have encountered this little unwanted creeper called stage fright. It has the ability to reduce your regular wit and intelligence levels below 0% and
My US Audition adventure: last stop – Bloomington
It took me a while to find the time to write this final blogpost on my auditions, so let me catch you up again. This journey starts in New Jersey after my audition at Manhattan School of Music, where I booked a hotel near Newark airport. ARRIVING AT BLOOMINGTON, INDIANA…
My US audition adventure: second stop – New York
In my previous two blog posts you can find an overview of my preparations for the auditions and the first experience I had in Boston. Today I invite you to go along the second part of my trip: New York. THE ARRIVAL I left Boston on a bright sunny day,…
My US audition adventure: first stop – Boston
In my previous post, I told you guys all about preparing for the auditions from scratch up until audition day. Today and in the next few posts, I will give you the details of my actual trip: my stay in each of the cities and the schools I auditioned in.…
Auditioning in the States: from TOEFL to audition day
In my very first blogpost, I mentioned my plans on auditioning in the States. 7 months have passed since then and I actually went auditioning in 3 of the 5 schools I applied to. I won’t have news until the end of the month, but in the meantime – for…
When the Magic Happens
If I think about the exact reason why I became a musician, I always conclude that goosebumps is the main motive. Personally, there are very few things in the world that can unlock this sensation in such a profound way as music. So…what triggers this feeling? Because even though it’s…
