Amanda’s presentation explores the mysterious interplay of the conscious and unconscious minds; how to deliberately utilise them correctly for highly effective teaching and smooth, secure learning. Music can generate deeply meaningful and magical experiences in our lives when we have insight into the workings of the human make-up.

Through explaining the mechanics of the two minds, Amanda shows how their distinctive attributes function within our neurology. This working knowledge allows us to design our language to meet our students where they are in the moment, according to the tasks or obstacles at hand. Understanding this vital interplay means we insure against unwittingly developing unwanted mental, emotional and physical habits. Amanda touches on how any prevailing impediments and tendencies can be removed using advanced techniques from the NLP toolkit.

On the assumption that our focus is student-centric, these principles apply across the board, being applicable to all musical content and any formalised teaching method. Her approach is content free, dealing exclusively with context: the structures of language and the mind.

The beauty and bonus of integrating this new area of expertise in our teaching is that it simultaneously facilitates personal awareness, which ensures our vocation is truthfully aligned with our core values and intentions. We become empowered to work with ease, realise our potential and see our goals come to fruition.

About the Presenter

Amanda Handel is a well-established, highly experienced and qualified composer, performer, piano teacher and BodyMinded™ practitioner. In recent years she has extended her expertise by graduating with a Diploma in Hypnotherapy and Neuro-Linguistic-Programming (NLP). She has been practicing as a hypnotherapist for five years.

Her unique approach explores the mysteries of the musical mind, and shows how the principles of hypnosis and NLP can be utilised in teaching and performing. This new skill-set melds the power of the unconscious mind with music making and teaching, aiming to produce excellence.

First Thursdays

These regular professional development sessions were originally the brainchild of MTA Member Annette Allerding, who wanted music teachers to be able to meet and share ideas. Originally named Keys, Cakes and Conversation (KCC) the group went online during Covid, and eventually reached numbers often in excess of 50 teachers, meeting each month on Zoom. The Music Teachers' Association of NSW is delighted to bring these sessions into our fold. We want the sessions to continue to be free to our members, but we also believe it is important to pay presenters for their valuable time. So we ask you to consider a giving a donation towards the costs if you are able. You will be given the option to donate when you book your place.