Petra Raspel Borzynski is a vocal, somatic and cognitive behavioural coach with special expertise in helping (performing) artists and creatives to perform better and despite their fears. She has helped hundreds of people to prepare for or sustain a singing career, find personal fulfilment through music and overcome limiting beliefs, blocks and performance anxiety. Her work in the field of singing, creativity and performance psychology has been featured at conferences, in several publications and podcasts.
Petra studied music, performance pedagogy and psychology and is a professional member of the Association for Contextual Behavioural Science and the British Association for Behavioural and Cognitive Psychotherapies. She can look back on a career in musical theatre performance, private education and academia in both Germany and the U.K. and currently lives in Glasgow with her husband and daughter.
Experience
Singing & Speaking
- Two decades experience as a performer of classical and contemporary music (e.g. Thomas Kirche Leipzig, Savoy Theater Düsseldorf)
- Female lead and support in Musical Theatre productions
- Shows, concerts and tours throughout Europe (UK, Germany, Spain, Italy, Poland, Austria and Switzerland)
- Voice-over work
- Detailed artistic CV on request
(Vocal) Coaching
- Owner of Singing Sense (est. 2006) in Dumbarton (Greater Glasgow area/Scotland)
- Associate Tutor for Vocal Performance / Solo Performance Specialist for the BA (Hons) Applied Music course at the University of the Highlands and Islands
- Extensive teaching and coaching experience; special interests include contemporary singing techniques, music & performance psychology, and somatic & cognitive behavioural coaching for artists
- Experienced workshop leader
Presenting, Writing etc.
- Keynote Speaker for the British Voice Association “Healthy Mind, Healthy Voice” June 2020: “What we focus on expands: Cognitive behavioural and somatic approaches to peak performance for voice users with performance anxiety.”
- Articles for blogs, websites, magazines, e.g. Music Teacher Magazine, The Banter (recently shortlisted for the Scottish Magazine Awards), The Naked Vocalist
- Articles on creativity and copyright referenced in Entrepreneurship for the Creative and Cultural Industries (Bonita Kolb)
- Interview about the psychological effects of menopause on singers for the book Singing Through Change – Women’s Voices in Midlife, Menopause and Beyond (Bos, Bozeman, Frazier-Neely)
- Growth Mindset for Creatives – Every Sing Podcast with Nancy Bos
Education & Qualifications
Voice & Music
- Affiliations: Musicians’ Union (Teaching Section, Theatre Section)
- Diplom (Univ.) (Ruhr-Universität Bochum): Musicology, Theatre Studies and Geography (German equivalent to a Masters degree/postgraduate Diploma)
- Vocational certificate/award in Musical Theatre Performance (Stage School Hamburg) with Thomas Christ, Sven Niemeyer and Anja Launhardt
- Private (vocal) studies, courses and masterclasses (full list available on request)
- Professional development in: Estill Voice Training, Complete Vocal Technique, Dalcroze Eurythmics
Psychology & Pedagogy
- Affiliations: British Psychological Society (BPS), British Association for Behavioural & Cognitive Psychotherapies (BABCP), Association for Contextual Behavioural Science (ACBS)
- Psychology studies (University of the West of Scotland). Concentration: Cognitive Psychology, Personality Psychology
- Accredited Diploma in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (Institute of Counselling). Concentration: Anxiety and Depression Intervention
- Accredited Diploma in Counselling (Institute of Counselling). Concentration: Crisis & Trauma Counselling
- Accredited Diploma in Cognitive Coaching and Mentoring (Institute of Counselling). Concentration: Personal & Life Coaching
- First Year Practitioner Training in Somatic Experiencing (SOS Internationale)
- Training in Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (Association for Psychological Therapies and Association for Contextual Behavioural Science)
- Certificate in Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) (British Mindfulness Institute)
- Certificate in Psychological First Aid (Public Health England)
- Certificate in First Aid for Mental Health (SMHFA/NHS Scotland)
- Diploma in Drama Education (Stonebridge Associated Colleges)
- Professional development in: Somatic Healing Approaches to Trauma | Complex Trauma Intervention | Covid-19: Psychological Impact, Wellbeing & Mental Health | Neuroscience of Learning | Peak Performance & Flow | Mental Skills for Sports & Health
Some press snippets
