Industry Experts

Jann Arden has it, so does Barbara Streisand and Canadian superstar Shania Twain.  What is it they have? Performance Anxiety, or as some call it, Stage Fright.  It could also be called Performance Rejection Anxiety.  

Just what could we learn if we really got close to this energy?  What would happen if we began to understand it and make it a friend, rather than foe?

Singer, Vocal Coach and Health Professional Anna Beaumont has been speaking, writing and teaching about Performance Anxiety for many years. She takes artists backstage to see what is really happening with this anxiety. Anna speaks from personal experience of her own crippling anxiety that would appear hours, days or weeks before a performance and what she has learned over the years to understand this anxiety.

The business of being human and feeling all that artists feel on stage and beforehand is Anna Beaumont's business.  In her work of The Authentic Voice, Anna helps artists not only to understand what they are feeling but can help them to rewire their nervous systems back to a state of balance through various tried and true practices.

A Health Professional in Integrative Body Psychotherapy, Singer and Voice Teacher for 25 years, Anna has studied the voice and body through the eyes of the nervous system as well as the meat and bones of our human emotions. She speaks eloquently about this taboo subject and helps everyone uncover a little more harmony, relaxation and ease inside of themselves.

To get in touch with Anna, visit www.annabeaumont.com or e-mail her at anna.beaumont@gmail.com. 

Zac Crouse (M.Ed, CTRS) is a recreation therapist, musician & expedition kayaker who delivers keynote presentations and workshops focusing on mental health, recreation, and leadership.

Zac has a unique ability to discuss sensitive topics with respect and humour. His presentations are designed to engage and entertain the audience through stories, film, and live music.

Zac has worked for over 17 years as a frontline practitioner with at-risk youth & families. He specializes in working with individuals who have mental health and substance use issues; and has an extensive background in adventure therapy and eco-therapy. 

To learn more about Zac, visit http://www.zaccrouse.com. To book Zac for speaking events, please contact stephanie@voxagency.ca. 

Carmen Elle is a musician/songwriter from Toronto. She began writing music, playing shows and recording albums in her teens and for the past decade has played in several bands, most notably: DIANA, Army Girls and Austra. Carmen has opened for Tegan and Sara, Iron and Wine and Cocorosie, performed at SXSW, Iceland Airwaves and The Great Escape in the UK. In 2014, DIANA's debut full length Perpetual Surrender was long listed for the Polaris Music Prize.

In addition to working as a musician, Carmen has written and spoken about her experiences with Anxiety and Depression. She has been featured in Nylon Magazine, Vice, MTV and the Toronto Star speaking out on behalf of musicians who struggle with mental health.

To get in touch with Carmen, please contact her at elle.carmen@gmail.com. 

Kathryn Hummel has extensive knowledge in the music industry, working in and behind the scenes of prestigious artist related companies such as Canadian Music Week, Indie Week, FACTOR and in 2005 launched her own Artist Management and Marketing company.

Over a decade later in the business, providing services from producing events, promo/marketing, grant writing and artist management, 2015 marked a milestone for Hummel as the opportunity to partner with Canada’s 2nd oldest independent label, Royalty Records presented itself. Royalty is a full-service nationally recognized record label and publisher, with distribution through Sony Music Canada and The Orchard.

In early 2017 Kathryn Hummel was awarded with the Metalworks Institute “Award of Merit” and in 2012 Hummel Entertainment was nominated for a Canadian Country Music Association Award for “Management Company of the Year."

2019 has allowed Kathryn Hummel to branch out into another area of the music business with combining two passions of both health and music. 

Recently joining forces with Unison Benevolent Fund as a health and wellness consultant, Kathryn is getting ready to launch Hummel Wellness. Kathryn has been lending her experience to assist in developing panel topics, social media and marketing efforts and contributions to Unison’s blog series, #SelfCareSunday. Kathryn's hope is to use the Unison platform as a way to engage the music community to develop healthy habits during industry-wide events like the JUNOs, ECMAs, CMW etc, and is meant to be a resource for members of the Canadian music community. 

Kathryn is trained and well-versed in the topic of mental health and is focused on bringing more awareness and change to the music industry. She is passionate about the need to take better care of our community and assist in creating more services available to both musicians and industry in need. 

If you'd like to get in touch with Kathryn, reach her at: http://hummelwellness.com/contact/. 

Mike Schwartz, B.a P. Sci & MGSO, C.H.E.K. HLC, CFP-PTS, Pn

With over 12 years of professional writing, recording and touring experience, Mike Schwartz has battled the hardships of the working musician’s lifestyle. During that time, Mike doubled as a certified health and wellness professional, specializing in corrective exercise, and nutrition for performance and stress resiliency. His dedication to the craft has helped him establish a reputation as the Trusted Authority of Musician Wellness. He’s the author of The Musician’s Guide To Surviving The Rock Star Lifestyle and Start With U: 21 Day Self-Love Challenge. His skills as a Lifestyle Tech have helped coach thousands of individuals out of pain, stress and low energy into a sustainable, high-quality way of life.

“It’s about working towards being a little bit better every day… 1% each day.”

Schwartz is currently spearheading an international movement to give the tools to his fellow music industry professionals. He’s spoken at Canadian Music Week and BreakOut West, and presented for organizations such as the Canadian Country Music Awards, Alberta Music, Music Ontario, Folk Music Ontario and Long & McQuade Musical Instruments. His book was the title of the feature panel for musician wellness at the 2018 Australian Music Week. 

A proud endorsee of Los Cabos Drumsticks and Soultone Cymbals, Mike splits his time as the Programs Director at Studio E Music and Arts in Stoney Creek, ON with a leadership role as a Coach at Push!Fit Studio in Waterdown, ON. Mike is available internationally for musician wellness workshops, keynotes, and presentations. If you’re interested in speaking with Mike, please contact him directly at Hey@miketheschwartz.com or visit www.musicfitcollective.com