Then I had a great big gap in my musical life until my early 50’s, I joined a women's acapella choir. Which was a lot of fun. The choir experience prompted me to explore my voice a lot more, and so I took lessons. 

But I needed to learn more about music, music theory, I picked up the piano again. I wanted to play and sing for myself. And so, I'm on that journey. 

And I've done quite a few modules within the Musical U suite, and I thought about it for a while, and I really wanted to pep up my piano playing skills integrate it with vocal skills. And alongside that, I've been really interested for quite a while in songwriting. 

So I took up the offer of the Next Level program. 

I suppose the expectation I had around the program was with a one-on-one coach, I was hoping for someone to walk alongside me, and give me some pointers as to what it is that I could do to move quickly along a musical path. 

I really hoped for some concrete ideas about how I could best accompany myself in an interesting way. How do I keep my vocal line going? And then how do I put that together? 

This program really is about tailoring and personalising an approach that is really centered on the goals that I'm reaching for. My coach has an amazing toolkit of ideas, of strategies, of tips, of little modules of learning that I could pick up on. 

I think that the secret within the coaching program is the coach's ability to, through their own experience, through their own musical life, through their own teaching, through their own art, bring to life a whole lot of learning that they've done previously. And they're so willing to share, so willing to guide. 

It's an approach that is very much centered around what I’m wanting to get out of my musical life, what I'm reaching for. 

So the the head, that's all the knowledge. The hands, that's the skills or playing the instrument. The hearing, so that's lots and lots of listening. It's listening to myself, it's listening to other artists, it's listening to my coach. And then the heart. This I've learned over time is the thread that binds them all. It's the emotional center. It's the guiding force. So without having that as the the central part, the others can fall away. 

It's a great concept. And it's really practical as well, it's not just a concept. 

The program has felt like it has a light touch in terms of theory. It's really practice and practically orientated. And yet, there is a strong underpinning of theory that backs the program, and backs the coaching. 

Any question about theory was easily answered, and quickly answered. And he could point to quite a number of modules within the Musical U suite to help me through any questions. So, it's a great gateway to learning more about theory. 

The selection of guest coaches is just amazing. The reach that Musical U has in the musical world is just beyond belief. Such a wide variety of coaches. From songwriters to producers, percussionists, singers. People who bring a lifetime of experience. 

Next Level is really a great program for someone who is really self-directed. Someone who is open to new ideas. Someone who doesn't mind being crowbarred out of old habits. Someone who is willing, and has the time as well, to embark on a journey of self-discovery. 

Whatever it is that you need. It is really tailored. The coaches are just absolutely supportive of whatever goal you have and can help you get there. 

This program has really shot my confidence levels right through the roof. It's just fantastic. 

I was looking to start on a songwriting journey, play the keyboard and accompany myself singing. And that's coming to fruition. 

So, this Next Level program has really focused my efforts. I think that's really what it is. It's about focusing effort in a joyful playful and and efficient way as well. 

It's been a real slow realisation over the course of the last 12 months, but an “aha” moment is really “I have it within me to reach my goals.” 

Having the coach guide me through the path of learning and having someone say in a sort of indirect way. “Yes, you can do this.” 

It's not an instant lightbulb moment, but on reflection it's that thought that “Yes, I can jam with my friends. Yes, I can play and sing and accompany myself. It's doable.”