Endurance Training for COVID-19

Endurance Training for COVID-19

Written for Allegro magazine, official journal of AFM Local 802 NYC.Greetings, musicians, from a safe social distance! Even though we are many months into the pandemic, it is not even close to being over. We are still being swamped by the first wave of Covid-19 cases...

Neurochemicals and Musicians

Neurochemicals and Musicians

As you are well aware, the pandemic and chaos hit all of us hard many months ago, especially musicians in New York. That was followed by shock and denial, anger, negotiating, depression, and finally acceptance of the tragic event. I sincerely hope that you have come...

Developing Your Creative Abilities During the Pandemic

Developing Your Creative Abilities During the Pandemic

During these challenging times, you probably have more free time on your hands than you are accustomed to as a musician and creative artist. This may be a great time for you to explore different creative modalities or other mediums of expression. These could enhance...

The Holidays During the Pandemic

The Holidays During the Pandemic

Even before the pandemic, the holidays were always the most stressful time of year. Theholiday season can place enormous demands on your time, energy, finances, and patience.There is no lack of things that can stress you out, including finishing everything on time,...

Continuing Your Learning During the Pandemic

Continuing Your Learning During the Pandemic

The Covid-19 crisis has changed our lives in many ways. It affects our continuing process of learning and improvement.Conventional in-person classroom learning is now morphing into e-learning. Traditional learning is limited by time, space, personnel, and available...

Overcoming the Guilt from Lack of Practice

Overcoming the Guilt from Lack of Practice

Written for Allegro magazine, official journal of AFM Local 802 NYC. Since the pandemic intensified a few months ago, many musicians are experiencing serious problems staying motivated. They are not practicing very much, if at all. Many may feel guilty for letting...

Situational Depression

Situational Depression

Written for Allegro magazine, official journal of AFM Local 802 NYC. Now that we are many weeks into the pandemic, hopefully we are moving beyond theinitial stage of shock and denial of the grieving process. Denial provided temporary relieffrom the harsh reality that...

Covid-19: A Strategic Plan for Musicians

Covid-19: A Strategic Plan for Musicians

Written for Allegro magazine, official journal of AFM Local 802 NYC. The current disaster can be really tough on professional musicians in New York who play in symphonies, operas, and Broadway, but are not trained to deal with such a tragic event. It can...

Covid-19: Dealing with the Chaos

Covid-19: Dealing with the Chaos

Written for Allegro magazine, official journal of AFM Local 802 NYC. Although I currently reside in Los Angeles, I am a real New Yorker at heart. I lived in Queens when I was young, went to high school in Brooklyn, practiced diving in the Bronx, and lived in Manhattan...

Own Your Power During Performances

Own Your Power During Performances

Even though I’m an eternal optimist, I know that mistakes are inevitable. Live musical events often happen in less than ideal conditions. There are many factors involved that can result in random accidents and unforced musical errors.Accidents are unwelcome events...

Performing Music in a Good Mood

Performing Music in a Good Mood

As we all know, it can be stressful to live in or around a big city. Musicians working in that environment are subjected to even more pressure than most people. As you’re well aware, there are auditions, live performances, competitions with colleagues for the same job...