Petra Raspel Borzynski is a vocal, somatic and cognitive behavioural coach and accredited therapist with special expertise in helping (performing) artists and creatives to perform better and despite their fears.
She currently runs a busy private studio/practice, is one of the Solo Performance Specialists (Voice) for the University of the Highlands and Islands and also regularly works with corporate clients (e.g. Google), helping performers and speakers all over the world sustain a (singing) career and find professional and personal fulfilment.
Petra’s work in the field of singing, creativity, performance anxiety, performance psychology and mental health for performing artists has been featured at conferences, in several publications and podcasts. One of her main areas of expertise is the education of other voice professionals in mental health and trauma awareness in their studios, organisations and institutions.
She holds a Diplom (German equivalent to a Masters Degree) from the Ruhr-Universität Bochum and also trained in Musical Theatre Performance at the Stage School Hamburg. After performing and touring all over Europe for the best of a decade, she began focusing exclusively on teaching and relocated to Scotland in 2006. Wanting to find answers related to peak performance and performers’ mental health, she has since studied Psychology and Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (University of the West of Scotland) and added further qualifications in Counselling (with a special interest in Crisis & Trauma) and Somatic Therapy to her skills. She continues to further her knowledge in third wave CBT (e.g. Acceptance & Commitment Therapy, Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction/Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy) and Integrative Somatic Trauma Therapy.
Petra’s vision is access to continuous mental health support for every performer, and that looking after our mental and emotional health becomes preventative instead of curative.
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
(Voice) Coaching
- Owner of Singing Sense – Coaching for Performers (est. 2006) in Dumbarton (Greater Glasgow/Scotland)
- Cognitive Behavioural Coach for Google LLC
- Associate Tutor for Vocal Performance / Solo Performance Specialist for the BA (Hons) Applied Music at the University of the Highlands and Islands
- Experienced workshop leader, e.g.:
“Comfortable in the Spotlights: The Mental Training of Singing” for the European Voice Teachers Association Belgium: “Cognitive Behavioural Approaches to help Nervous Performers” |
“Resilience and Post-Traumatic Growth for Choir Leaders” (The Creative Choir Leader) |
“ACT-based Mindfulness for Nervous Performers” (The Sing Space/Vocal Gym) |
“Somatic Coaching for Nervous Performers” (The Sing Space/Vocal Gym) - Extensive teaching and coaching experience; special interests include Contemporary Singing Techniques, Performance Psychology, Somatic & Cognitive Behavioural Coaching for Artists and Trauma-Informed Teaching
Presenting, Writing etc.
- Keynote Speaker for the British Voice Association “Healthy Mind, Healthy Voice”: “What we focus on expands: Cognitive behavioural and somatic approaches to peak performance for voice users with performance anxiety.”
- Presenter for the European Voice Teachers Association Belgium: “What we focus on expands: Music Performance Anxiety Webinar”
- Presenter for Vocology in Practice’s Virtual Voice Conference: “Mental Health in the Voice Studio” |
ViP EdHub: „Acceptance & Commitment Coaching: Proactive, Problem- and Emotion-Focused Approaches for the Voice Studio” - Presenter for Celebrate Singing Live: “Adjusting to Change: The Narratives of Transformation and Liberation as a Conscious Choice” |
“Stepping Into Your Superhero Self: Proactive, Emotion- and Problem-Focused Coping Skills for Women New to Midlife” |
“Peak Performance and Flow: Claiming Your Innate Awesomeness” - Presenter for BAST: “What We Focus On Expands – An Introduction Into Music 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 & Origin Stories – Every Sing Podcast with Nancy Bos
- Guest on The Mindfulness of Singing Podcast
- Guest on A Voice and Beyond Podcast: Establishing Boundaries in the Voice Studio
- Guest on “This is a Voice” Podcast: “Triggers, Trauma, Working When You’re Wobbly” & “Somatic Exercises, Nerves & Polyvagal Theory“
Have look at some of my most recent presentations that I can also bring to you/your organisation, or enquire about a bespoke topic
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)
- 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 Association for Behavioural & Cognitive Psychotherapies (BABCP), Association for Contextual Behavioural Science (ACBS), International Practitioners of Holistic Medicine (IPHM)
- Psychology, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (University of the West of Scotland/Institute of Counselling)
- Accredited Diploma in Clinical & Pastoral Counselling. Concentration: Crisis & Trauma Counselling
- Accredited Diploma in Cognitive Coaching and Mentoring. Concentration: Personal & Life Coaching
- Therapist Training & Supervision in Acceptance and Commitment Therapy
- Practitioner Training (B1 & B2) in Somatic Experiencing
- Certificate (60 hrs) in Integrative Somatic Trauma Therapy
- Certificate in Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR)
- Certificate in Psychological First Aid
- Certificate in First Aid for Mental Health
- Diploma in Drama Education
- Continuing Professional Development (CPD) in: Healing Trauma (Dr. Peter Levine, 8 hour Master Workshop) | Somatic Healing Approaches to Trauma | Complex Trauma Intervention | Suicide Prevention | Anxiety & Depression Intervention | Covid-19: Psychological Impact, Wellbeing & Mental Health | Neuroscience of Learning | Peak Performance & Flow | Mental Skills for Sports & Health | Music Psychology
A wonderful little video that the amazing people of Vocology In Practice recently prepared for my presentation about Mental Health in the Voice Studio (Virtual Voice Conference 2021)
A still from my keynote presentation for the British Voice Association’s “Healthy Mind, Healthy Voice”-event in 2020
Just doing my thing and teaching singers to belt their socks off 🙂
