Dr. David Lee Fish

I’m the founder and director of a thriving degree program for talented students of popular music at Catawba College in North Carolina. We’ve been honored for ten years running as a Best Music School by the country’s leading music education magazine, In Tune Monthly.

I work with the casting directors of major television talent programs to identify potential contestants, the individuals I recommend receiving private auditions for the shows.

I am also the developer of the 5-Day STAGE FRIGHT Solution, a popular online course and 5-star Amazon bestseller. You’ll never achieve your full potential as a musician until you find your way beyond this needless menace.

I coach young musicians on developing their audition, jury, and recital skills and managing their stage fright as my schedule allows.

Almost all musicians have to perform auditions, juries, school recitals, and the like, and how well you do can make or break your future. It can spell the difference between acceptance or rejection, landing a great opportunity or it going to someone else.  All the talent in the world and hard work doesn't matter if it doesn't translate into a strong audition, jury, or recital. Sometimes, it's a once in a lifetime chance. It's like Eminem rapped about in "Lose Yourself":

Look, if you had one shot, or one opportunity

To seize everything you ever wanted, in one moment

Would you capture it, or just let it slip?

It's no wonder that auditions, juries, and recitals provoke such intense stage fright in so many performers. 

As someone who has served for years as a judge at auditions, juries, and recitals, and I know what it takes to be successful. That includes how to handle your nerves. I work closely with individuals to prep them for big events in a way their private teachers may not be able since it's my area of expertise.  That includes using mindfulness to manage your nerves.

We begin the process by looking at the things that almost all auditions, juries, and recitals share as well as the particular features of an upcoming event that's on your calendar. A jury at a conservatory, for example, is quite different than a tryout for American Idol in some ways and similar in others. We then devise strategies to handle all of these aspects, and I help you internalize them through online run-throughs. During the process, I also help you learn to manage the stage fright you'll likely experience on your fateful day. (Actually, stage fright often begins well before an event as you anticipate what will happen. It can even lead to procrastinate as you avoid thinking about it.)

If you want and my schedule permits, I will even go to your audition, jury, or recital with you via text messages to coach you through your event.