Performance/Career Coaching

What is a coach?

In sports, a coach uses their experience and leadership to take a group of players with diverse skill sets, strengths and weaknesses and utilize those qualities to get that group pf players to perform at their best as a team, rather than just a group of talented individuals. 

Why do you need a Performance/Career Coach?

Why do artists hire producers in the studio? It can be beneficial to have another set of ears to bring new ideas and a fresh sense of direction to the project. Good producers have the experience and knowledge to fix problems, smoothly guide the sessions and pull the best performances out of everyone.  

… so why not do the same for your live shows and career? 

Many bands and performers reach a point in their careers where they feel stuck or stagnant. Fan bases are not expanding and you are playing the same venues again and again with no progress or growth. Far too often, we are unaware of habits, routines, and attitudes that are actually hindering performances and career trajectory. Making a few minor changes can elevate performances, heighten the audience’s experience, and take careers to the next level. 

Like any business, so much time and energy has to be invested in music careers to achieve any amount of success. Working with a coach is an investment in your career as a band or solo performer.

Performance/Career Coaching can help:

  • Improve live performances
  • Make rehearsals more efficient
  • Create on stage persona
  • Engage and connect with the audience
  • Make life on the road more bearable… even enjoyable
  • Improve band morale
  • Business/Band organization
  • Address existing communication, personnel problems that may be stifling performance/career progress
  • Hone career goals and create a path to success

Allow me share my 40+ years of experience and knowledge to elevate your band, shows and career to that next level!

“I HAVE FOUND TOM’S COACHING INVALUABLE.  HE HAS A GREAT WAY OF APPLYING HIS VAST EXPERIENCE TO ME AND MY SITUATION. TOM HAS OPERATED ON LEVELS FAR BEYOND ME, YET HE ALWAYS HAS IMPACTFUL, SPECIFIC FEEDBACK AND TREATS ME LIKE A COLLEAGUE.“

Mark Willenborg

About my experience:

  • 40+ years as professional musician, making my living solely as a performer 
  • 30+ years touring experience in US, Europe, Canada, Mexico, and Japan
  • 10 years as Music Director for Robert Earl Keen – 27 years as his drummer
  • 2 years as the Chicks Road Manager – 5 1/2 years as their drummer
  • Bachelor of Music in Jazz Studies for University of North Texas (minor in Music Theory and Percussion)
  • Teaching Experience in Master Classes, Clinics, ARTS Magnet High School in Dallas, Navarro College and Private Lessons
  • Who I have performed with? Robert Earl Keen, Dixie Chicks, Cross Canadian Ragweed, Charlie Pride, Los Lobos, The Crystals, Janie Fricke, Johnny Lee, Bo Diddley, The Shirelles, B.J. Thomas, Frank Yankovich, U.N.T. Lab Bands, Irving Symphony, Ft.Worth/Dallas Ballet, Leon Rausch, Dave Alexander and the Legends of Western Swing, Hank Thompson, Chip Taylor, The Platters, Carrie Rodriguez, Steve Earle, Joe Ely, Gary P. Nunn, Lyle Lovett, Hot Tuna, Junior Brown, Billy Joe Shaver, Lee Roy Parnell, Danny Barnes, the Greencards, Raul Malo, Larry Campbell, Levon Helm & the Midnight Ramble Band, Preservation Hall Jazz Band, Cory Morrow, Bruce Robison, the Resentments, Jim Lauderdale, Brent Cobb, Waylon Payne,Dale Watson, Larry Coryell, Rodney Hayden, David Halley, Lee Ann Womack, Ricky Skaggs, Tyler Childers.
  • As member of “ACL All-Stars” House Band for “Austin City Limits Hall of Fame Award Show” (2014-present) – Bonnie Raitt, Sheryl Crow, Kris Kristofferson, Jeff Bridges, Doyle Bramhall II, Gary Clark Jr, Jimmy Vaughn, Joe Ely, Brittany Howard, Taj Majal, Mavis Staples, Willie Nelson, Rodney Crowell, Chris Isaak, Neko Case, Brandi Carlisle, Elvis Costello, Rosanne Cash, John Leventhal, Ry Cooder, Raul Malo, Norah Jones, Ruthie Foster, Lucinda Williams, Margo Price, Jason Isbell, Alejandro Escovedo, Sheila E, Wilco, John Doe, Alex Ruiz, Marcia Ball, the Flatlanders, Brittney Spencer, Rufus Wainwright, Leon Bridges.
  • Opened for: Dave Matthews Band, Nathaniel Ratliff and the Night Sweats, Waylon Jennings, Willie Nelson, Dwight Yoakum, Avett Brothers, George Strait, Lyle Lovett, 

“Playing in a band is one of the best exercises in democracy. It encourages individualism and self expression, but you are all working towards a bigger goal. The exercise also fails if you are not constantly looking out for one another”

Antonio Sanchez

The Process:

I will send a questionnaire to each member of the band to be filled out and returned before the initial rehearsal or performance. I will attend and observe the prescribed rehearsals and performances. Then we will have a follow up meeting to review my observations and devise a plan to implement a move forward. For more information, go to CONTACT PAGE. Please include any questions and some background information regarding your query.

For more information, fees or to book a coaching session, email at coaching@tomvanschaik.com