Teresa Wenhart - Music, Brain, Psychology
Talks, Workshops & Lecture Concerts
“After a certain high level of technical skill is achieved, science and art tend to coalesce in esthetics, plasticity, and form. The greatest scientists are always artists as well”
Albert Einstein
Format
The lectures can be delivered as a traditional presentation, interactive workshops, or in an interdisciplinary format such as a lecture concert involving professional musicians and scientific speakers or a panel discussion.
Teresa Wenhart
MusiciansBackstage
Psychology for Musicians
Music, Brain & Mental Strength #2
Summer Academy of the German National Academic Foundation
Working Group Leadership & Overall Concept
Dr. rer-nat. Teresa Wenhart
Freelance music psychologist, neuroscientist, CAS in Music, schema coach, former member of the Institute for Music Physiology & Music Medicine, HMTM Hannover
Co-Lecturers:
Hauke Siewertsen
Cellist & sports psychologist, Alexander Technique teacher
Prof. Benedict Klöckner
Professor of Cello at École Normale de Musique de Paris & Artistic Director of the Internationales Musikfestival Koblenz
Nico Lindheimer
Singer & clinical psychologist/psychotherapist
Mentale Stärke & Teamwork in Kammermusik & Business
Workshop Contents:
At the Landesmusikakademie Sachsen, we focus on the psychological foundations of healthy music-making and successful teamwork at the intersection of music, psychology, and business. This interdisciplinary format combines scientific input, psychological exercises, and collaborative music-making with the goal of fostering both individual and collective mental strength.
The program centers on questions of mental resilience in the interplay between individuals and groups, the role of music in social bonding, motivation, and well-being, as well as interpersonal dynamics in chamber music, corporate settings, and academic teams. Topics include constructive approaches to managing the inner critic, stress, and mental limits, emotional intelligence, emotion regulation, and strategies from (sports) psychology and schema work. A particular focus is on transferring musical teamwork processes to professional contexts: what can business and research teams learn from effective chamber music—and vice versa?
The aim of the work phase is to collaboratively design a public evening plenary in the form of a “conversation concert”: a panel discussion framed musically and/or scientifically, featuring professionals from the music and business sectors. The content and orientation are tailored to the academic and musical backgrounds of the participating scholarship recipients.
Format:
A blend of scientific insights, psychological practice, and musical work. Independent musical activities as well as optional psychological coaching for ensembles or individuals are possible.
masterclass
Solo and Chamber Music & Psychological Reflection on Interaction in Teaching and Ensemble Playing
Musical Direction: Benedict Klöckner
(Psychological Support: Dr. Teresa Wenhart)
Choir
Voice Training and Group Singing, Group Dynamics
Musical Direction: Nico Lindheimer
(Accompaniment: Dr. Teresa Wenhart)
Panel Discussion:
Dr. Teresa Wenhart Prof. Benedict Klöckner, Hauke Siewertsen, Florian Amort, Nico Lindheimer
Dr. Teresa Wenhart Prof. Benedict Klöckner, Hauke Siewertsen, Florian Amort, Nico Lindheimer
Concerto neuronale
Summer Academy of the Swiss Study Foundation
Co-Leadership & Concept of the Working Group
Prof. Dr. Dipl. mus. Eckart Altenmüller
Neurologist & flutist, Professor Emeritus of Music Medicine at HMTM Hannover, former head of the Institute for Music Physiology & Music Medicine, HMTM Hannover
Dr. rer-nat. Teresa Wenhart
Freelance music psychologist, neuroscientist, CAS in Music, schema coach, former member of the Institute for Music Physiology & Music Medicine, HMTM Hannover
"Concerto Neuronale": Workshop & Scientific Lecture Concert
Workshop Contents:
Performing music is one of the most rewarding, however at a high level probably one of the most challenging human activities. To maintain accuracy of highly skilled movements under rigorous control of the auditory system of players is extremely demanding for the sensory-motor networks of the brain. Furthermore, the anticipation of sound and emotional expression and the planning of movements require refined predictive coding, relying onwidely distributed networks of the brain. During skill acquisition, plastic adaptations occur at several levels of the central nervous system and can be impressively demonstrated with
functional and structural brain imaging methods. Emotional processing of music’s inner worlds, linked to powerful memories, pleasures and pains so masterfully described by Marcel Proust, adds complexity to musical experiences, especially when shared in groups of chamber music.
In the seminar, we want to experiment and allow the participants practical musical experience enriched with knowledge: we will work on a concert program with chamber music pieces. This process of rehearsing will be accompanied by demonstrations on the new neuroscientific paradigm of network- and loop activities in the central nervous systems as a correlate of music perception and music production, music induced brain plasticity and neuroscientifically efficient practice strategies. As an outcome, the participants will perform and moderate a public scientific lecture concert combining neuroscientific contributions and chamber music.
Neuroscience Lecture Concert:
Brain Hacks 4 Musicians
Fronde Sonore - Associazione Musicale, Impruneta, Florenz (IT)
Music psychology & Mental training
Brain Hacks Für's Üben und Vorspiele
Workshop Contents:
Unlock your full potential with brain-based strategies to transform your musical practice and audition performance. Learn how to sharpen your focus and practice smarter, not harder, using techniques from neuroscience. Get to know techniques how to overcome mental blocks and stage fright by training your brain to stay calm and confident under pressure. Discover how visualization techniques, mindful practice, and efficient self-organization methods can improve retention and boost your musical skills. Whether you're preparing for an important audition or simply want to practice more effectively, these brain hacks will help you perform at your best with less stress and more success!
Format:
Music Psychology Workshop as Part of a Cello Masterclass by Orfeo Mandozzi & Andrea Landi
Music, Brain & Mental Strength #1
Summer Academy of the German National Academic Foundation
Working Group Leadership & Overall Concept
Dr. rer-nat. Teresa Wenhart
Freelance music psychologist, neuroscientist, CAS in Music, schema coach, former member of the Institute for Music Physiology & Music Medicine, HMTM Hannover
Co-Lecturers:
Hauke Siewertsen
Cellist & sports psychologist, Alexander Technique teacher
Christoph Croisé
Cellist & Artistic Director of the Niederlenzer Musiktage
Mental Strength in Music & Sport
Workshop Contents:
At the premises of the Landesmusikakademie Sachsen, we focus on the neuroscientific and psychological foundations of healthy music-making (psychological workshop and musical masterclass). The goal of this work phase is to collaboratively design an evening plenary in the form of a panel discussion framed musically and with scientific contributions (“conversation concert”) featuring selected professionals from the music and sports sectors.
How does the brain enable peak musical performance? Why do well-rehearsed pieces still fail on stage? What mental, imaginative, and physical methods exist for managing tension or performance anxiety? What strategies does sports psychology offer? How can one overcome personal mental limits? What influence do social processes have, and how can we make the music profession more humane and psychologically healthier?
There is also the opportunity for (music) psychological and physiological coaching.
Format:
Week 1: Exercises and techniques from sports mental training, musician health, and psychology (self-experience, guided workshop).
Week 2: Students apply what they have learned in a musical masterclass with Christoph Croisé and prepare the panel discussion, the musical program, and scientific input for the evening plenary (bring your own solo works; for chamber music, prior registration of existing ensembles is preferred).
Panel Discussion:
Schema-Workshop
Course at the Zurich Univesity of the Arts (ZHdK)
Workshop Facilitation
& 1:1 Coaching
Self-Competence & Coping Strategies
Psychological Workshop for Music Students to Strengthen Mental Resources and Manage Challenging Thoughts and Emotions
Workshop Contents:
-
Resource Building
-
Imaginative Techniques
-
Managing the Inner Critic
-
Schema Work / Schema Coaching
-
Q&A
Format:
Group Workshop & Confidential 1:1 Psychological Counseling/Coaching for Each Student
Brain Hacks 4 Musicians
Workshop as part of the professional development program for music teachers, Hochschule für Musik Luzern (HSLU)
Workshop Facilitation
Psychology Meets the Music Business – Organization & Self-Management for Musicians
Workshop Contents:
Music teachers who hold multiple professional roles juggle daily between teaching, ensembles, personal projects, and organizational tasks. It is often challenging to maintain an overview, manage one’s energy, and pursue clear goals. This course focuses on learning how to lead oneself more effectively, recognize internal blockages, and consciously manage time and resources—supported by psychological strategies and proven project management methods. Practical tips and exercises are designed to help structure daily professional life, increase effectiveness, reduce stress, and enable participants to pass the acquired knowledge on to their students.
Topics:
-
Mental Self-Leadership: Motivation, Self-Regulation, and Managing Inner Drivers
-
Self-Management in Multiple Roles: Planning Time, Energy, and Priorities
-
Project Management Methods from Industry, Adapted for Musicians’ Daily Work
-
Practical Exercises and Application to One’s Own Professional Routine
Reader Favorites
Please visit Page in German Language :-)
“After a certain high level of technical skill is achieved, science and art tend to coalesce in esthetics, plasticity, and form. The greatest scientists are always artists as well”
Albert Einstein
Who I am and what I stand for
I have studied Psychology (BSc, MSc), Musicology, and Cello (postgraduate studies) in Munich and Zurich, and obtained my doctorate in Neuropsychology of Music at the Music University in Hanover (Institute for Music Physiology and Musician Medicine). From a very young age, I had two great passions: music and science. I have been actively involved in music since early childhood, and starting in 2013, I have been engaging in research and clinical neuropsychology related to topics in musician health, neuroscience, and hearing.
Bringing together science, art, and health is my greatest passion. That's why I write a blog on these topics, give lectures, conduct workshops, and starting in 2024, I will offer (neuro-) psychological individual support for musicians and music educators, including psychological supervision of teaching.
