ABOUT ME

Psychology guides me in living a balanced life and supporting others find one themselves. Music has always been my elixir, and playing the violin is one of my most powerful motivational resources. Combining these two areas I am so passionate about has been an exciting journey and gives me joy every day.

Finding this purpose, however, was not always easy or straightforward. I pursued an orchestral career for several years until my body was no longer able to endure the many hours of practice and rehearsals. I lost my love for playing. Doing a master’s degree in psychology at the University of Vienna and developing skills in coaching opened up a new path and also enabled me to enjoy performing music once again. This transformative experience has led me to dedicate myself to supporting performing artists in managing the demands of performance under pressure and creating a sustainable, mentally and physically healthy way of life.

For the past few years, I have learned a lot about sport psychology and its many valuable ideas and strategies. Adapting specific concepts and interventions from sports to music, dance, and acting has become my main research interest. After my master’s degree in psychology, I received a prestigious fellowship for my ambitious PhD project, and since 2019, I have conducted both experimental and qualitative studies on the transfer of sport psychological interventions for performance under pressure to the performing arts. Simultaneously, I began formal training in psychological coaching with my two long-term mentors in Vienna, Dr. Vera Popper and Christine Hoffmann, who continue to support me.

In my latest study, I aimed to illuminate both effects and underlying mechanisms of individualised interventions that I customised for ten musicians, dancers, and actors during one-on-one coaching sessions. Supported by a scholarship from the Austrian Government to spend the final stage of my PhD abroad, I worked on its analysis not only with sport psychologist Prof. Peter Gröpel at the University of Vienna, but also with dance psychologist Dr. Sanna Nordin-Bates at the Swedish School of Sports and Health Sciences in Stockholm and music psychologist Prof. Jane Ginsborg at the Royal Northern College of Music in Manchester. All three of them combine scientific research and practical work with high-level performers, and are thus important role models for me.

Alongside my research, I teach master level seminars in motivational and performance psychology. Certified in psychological coaching, relaxation techniques, and process- and embodiment-oriented psychology, I support performing artists in my private practice, and give workshops at performing arts institutions such as the Ballet Academy and the Royal College of Music in Stockholm, and the Music and Arts University Vienna.

I am married to American conductor Mason Lubert, who inspires me with his artistic vision and supports me boundlessly in all my endeavours. Practicing the violin on a daily basis and performing with different ensembles is still an integral part of my life. During my free time, I enjoy singing, running, fitness training, yoga, and simply being outdoors. Four years ago, I finally mustered the courage to begin adult ballet classes – a rewarding and humbling experience.

My coaching style combines solution-focused and embodiment-oriented approaches and is informed by evidence from sport and psychology performance, as well as my own psychological intervention research. We define what your goals for the coaching process are together and how you will notice that our work together was fruitful. It is most important to me to tailor an individual approach to your needs and requests while remaining open and non-judgmental.