Artistry, Passion, Vision.
The continuous and intense engagement between members of musical ensembles demands a unique set of relational and communications skills that drives performance standards and contributes to the group’s unifying artistic vision. Blending together individual styles creates the generative dynamic that leads to a group’s differentiating sound.
The risk for any new or established ensemble lies in the dissonance and stagnation that can occur when underlying issues remain unexplored, whether those issues have to do with questions of technique, working habits, personal style, or vision. Contributing factors can include:
change in personnel
inability to identify or change entrenched habits
disagreement over musical approaches
not knowing when and how to have difficult conversations
history and repertoire that was once relevant becoming less important
shifting market environment requiring different approaches to performances and appearances
financial strain
We help you navigate the key areas in which you feel stuck, increasing awareness and understanding of the issues at hand, and building your capacity and skills to collaborate more effectively in finding solutions and taking actions aligned with your artistic goals.
“Leslie’s background as a professional violinist gives her a true insider’s understanding of the often complex dynamics at play in a professional string quartet. Leslie helped us air out some hard to discuss and deeply embedded issues, which ranged from our daily habits & patterns to long-term artistic goals. Working with her, we were able to sort out and agree on a clear set of priorities. Leslie works with a large tool-kit that kept us on track and working together, in a way that enhanced our sense of unanimity while also validating individual differences and points of view within the group. A great experience!”