Pinpoint Practice Intensive for Musicians
August 11-17, 2024
Held Online and Directed by Dr. Nathan Cheung
What is this? This is an online intensive held over Zoom designed to pinpoint your musical goals and means to achieve them. It is also a productivity camp that uses accountability and the pomodoro method to execute your plans. At all times, you will be able to observe the founder, Nathan Cheung, working on his musical goals alongside you as you work towards yours. Here are examples for what you can use this for:
- Learning and memorizing pieces or songs
- Succeeding in competitions and auditions
- Mastering new techniques on your instrument
- Writing music
- Improving sight-reading skills
- Getting a head start on the school year
All ages and levels eligible. This program works best for keyboardists, string players, composers, jazz/pop players, and percussionists. Wind, brass, and singers are all eligible but must consider their endurance over several hours.
How it works: We will target 3 components for mastery: the goals, the work, and the reflection. You'll send your goals in the registration form and Nathan will send you personal feedback on these as well as a Zoom link for the whole intensive. We'll all attend the goal breakdown session on August 11th to form your personal plan, then we'll execute the practice plan August 12-16. During the practice sessions, you'll be able to talk to me at any time with any questions. By the end of this, we'll have a final show-and-tell where you'll reflect on your journey through the intensive and, if you want, show us what you were working on.
“Why did you make this, Nathan?” I really wanted to put myself through a rigorous piano practicing regimen and learn lots of music well! But I don't want mindless practice; I want lots of really intentional practice and wished I had something like Pinpoint as a student. I think there are other people who want to do the same thing. Wouldn't it be great if we all did this together and felt motivated by one another? I also know that I can use my expertise to offer valuable tips to help others along their journey, and I find this truly fulfilling.
Click on the blue button to register!
Extended deadline to apply: August 9, 2024, 11:59pm PT
If interested to apply after that date, email nathancheungmusic@gmail.com to check if there is still room.
You can expect to gain the following from this intensive
- At most 40 hours (full package) or at least 10 hours (basic package) of focused and guided practice directly towards your goals
- Valuable and diversified practice strategies to increase effectiveness and be applied immediately
- Beneficial stretches targeted to musicians for injury prevention
- Personal feedback from Nathan on your goals and any questions related to music and the profession
- Accountability of being able to see Nathan practice alongside you and other participants
- Meeting like-minded participants in the program in breakout groups
“Nathan, what makes you qualified to run this?”
I fully care about YOUR progress and have a deep interest in your musical goals. As a professional pianist and beginner guitarist, I know what it’s like to struggle through all kinds of obstacles in playing your instrument whether it’s using a pick or preparing 3 hours of repertoire for an international piano competition. I’ve developed practice techniques that have helped me learn music well and that have helped my students excel. Moreover, I understand the physical demands of extended practice and prioritize a healthy body throughout.
Pricing
Full package 40 hours (8 hours/day, Mon-Fri) = $250
Moderate package 20 hours (4 hours/day, Mon-Fri) = $200
Basic package 10 hours, (2 hours/day, Mon-Fri) = $150
Students under the age of 23 will have a $30 discount on any of the above packages.
“Pay to practice? Why can't I just practice by myself?” You could….but do you really use research-based techniques for optimal learning and improvement? Do you often incorporate an effective system of goal tracking and reflection that promises results? Do you think that a doctorate pianist who's won top prizes in over 15 international and national competitions, taught successful students, and available to guide you personally has nothing valuable to offer? And do you really know how to take care of your body? I've never seen a program that does it all. I tell you what, if you are really are unsatisfied, I guarantee your money back IF you can convincingly explain to me why you are not getting any value out of the program.
Schedule
August 11, 2024, 8pm-9pm ET: Goal Breakdown and Action Planning Zoom session
I highly recommend attending this session. Here we will all complete an exercise that will form the basis of progress throughout the whole intensive.
August 12-16 (Monday-Friday) are the intensive practice days. The schedule for each day will be in these 2 hour blocks for the full package:
11am-1pm ET
2pm-4pm ET
5pm-7pm ET
8pm-10pm ET
Moderate package participants will choose two of these time blocks to meet each day. Basic package participants will choose one of these time blocks to meet each day. In other words, you have great flexibility in choosing times outside of school or work hours!
Each block will be spent in the following way.
1st hour
25 min practice
5 min break - we will learn a stretch and stretch together
20 min practice
10 min break - we will learn a new practice strategy to be potentially used in the next session
2nd hour
25 min practice
5 min break - we will learn a stretch and stretch together and learn a new practice strategy
30 min practice
At least 1 practice block will be held in Zoom breakout rooms of 3-5 people to foster community and exchange of ideas.
August 17, 2024, 4pm-7pm ET: Final Show-and-Tell
This is an optional opportunity for us to meet one last time and show us what you've been working on! This doesn't have to be a performance—you can show whatever you achieved, be that a technique, a page of music, or even just verbally sharing your discoveries through the process. We may not need this complete 3 hour block.
Scroll through the slides to find the calendar the corresponds to your time zone to get the whole view of the intensive.
I sincerely look forward to seeing you in this program!
Click on the blue button to register!