Mutual Coaching

Artist shows work: Participating artists/students form pairs. One (“artist”) performs/shows the material while the other (“coach”) watches/listens.

Coach comments: The watching/listening partner offers a few comments on aspects of the performance that worked well or were effective, striking, or meaningful.

Artist states area of focus: The artist now invites feedback about a specific aspect of his/her presentation. A dancer might say: “I’m working maintaining my balance after the jump,” a storyteller: “I’m trying to differentiate my voice as narrator from the characters who speak in the story,” or a pianist: “I want the right hand to play lyrically while I keep the left hand percussive.” The artist then repeats the passage.

Coach responds: The coaching partner attends to the repeat and gives feedback on the focus area the artist has identified.

Coach offers additional focus area: The coach now names another area for the performer to work on, “Think about keeping your movement more fluid across the shoulders;” “Try varying the loudness and softness of your speaking;” “See what results you get if you use the pedal a little more sparingly.” This can be considered a “wild card” suggestion: the artist tries this idea; they don’t have to keep it.

Debrief: After a final performance of the material, partners debrief to assess progress that was observed, share insights gained, or consider future steps.

Switch and repeat: Participants reverse roles and repeat the process.