Fit for the stage
At the 21st Swissmedmusica Symposium on November 22 in Biel, a glimpse into the future of mental training for musicians will be offered.
It is now standard in the world of sport and is slowly beginning to catch on in music: mental coaching. One pioneer is the Strasbourg percussionist and mental coach Sylvie Reynaert. She believes that the music stage, like the sports arena, is a competitive environment that demands performance. Stress has to be dealt with on stage. The strategies required are similar to those in the world of sport.
Reynaert bases her work on the Target Method, a recognized guide to mental preparation, as well as on the application of neuroscience. With a systemic approach and the transfer of this knowledge to the artistic field, she offers "action coaching", which originates from top-class sport. Stage presence, a clearly defined strategy and mental work are at the heart of her work. Her coaching is based on "goodwill, listening, availability and practical solutions".
The Swissmedmusica Symposium on November 22, 2025 in Biel offers the opportunity to get to know Reynaert and her way of working in person. Her presentation will be complemented by talks by the cellist and psychologist Chiara Samatanga, who works in Bern, the British music psychologist Sara Ascenso and the German pianist and musicologist Pauline Gropp. A unique opportunity to familiarize yourself with mental training for musicians.
