Petra Raspel Borzynski is a vocal and cognitive behavioural coach with special expertise in helping (performing) artists and creatives to overcome limiting beliefs and emotional blocks to perform better and without fear. She has helped hundreds of people to prepare for or sustain a singing career, find personal fulfilment through music and overcome limiting beliefs and performance anxiety. Her work in the field of singing, creativity and performance psychology has been featured 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
Voice & Music
- 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, e.g. with Elke Dahn, Claudia Schill, Claudia Duschner, Tom Burke, Gillyanne Kayes and Hans Zimmer
- Professional development in: Estill Voice Training, Complete Vocal Technique, Dalcroze Eurythmics
- Member of the Musicians’ Union (Teaching Section, Theatre Section)
Psychology & Pedagogy
- Psychology studies (University of the West of Scotland). Main areas of interest: Cognitive Psychology, Personality Psychology
- Accredited Diploma in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (Institute of Counselling). Main areas of interest: Anxiety and Depression Intervention
- Accredited Diploma in Counselling (Institute of Counselling). Main areas of interest: Clinical Counselling, Crisis & Trauma Counselling (incl. Somatic Healing Approaches to Trauma)
- Accredited Diploma in Cognitive Coaching and Mentoring (Institute of Counselling). Main areas of interest: Cognitive Behavioural Coaching, Personal & Life Coaching
- CPD Certificate in Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) (British Mindfulness Institute)
- CPD Certificate in Psychological First Aid (Public Health England)
- CPD Diploma in Drama Education (Stonebridge Associated Colleges)
- Professional development in: Somatic Therapy, Complex Trauma Intervention, Neuroscience of Learning, Peak Performance & Flow
- Member of the British Association for Behavioural & Cognitive Psychotherapies (BABCP) and the Association for Contextual Behavioural Science (ACBS).
Some press snippets
