In our conversation today Janet generously shares stories and lessons learned from her own career. How she developed debilitating anxiety just as her career was going really well, what answers and tools she found to tackle it and how the solutions in turn inspired her to write her excellent book “ Nail your next audition”.  We delve into subjects on building mental tools needed to deal with struggles head-on in order to build your confidence and not tear it down. We talk about building an optimistic mindset, the foundation of resilience, defining how your ultimate goals should feel, pivoting, and finding other outlets for your creativity that make you happy while you build your career. And why the budding artist in you needs to be fed and nurtured just like the musician in you. After an international career of more than 25 years of critically acclaimed performances at major concert halls and opera houses around the world, including the Metropolitan Opera, Paris Opera, and Berlin Staatsoper, American soprano, Janet Williams has dedicated her life and passion to teaching the art of performance mastery.  Her book, Nail Your Next Audition, The Ultimate 30-Day Guide for Singers was translated into German under the title: Erfolgreich vorsingen! The 30-Day Countdown to Take Off, and is the go-to guide for singers preparing for high-pressure performances. The positive response to the book inspired her to develop the “Leistung and Performance Workshop”, which she has taught at music colleges, universities, and Young Artist Programs for singers since 2009. Her students have won contracts with Metropolitan Opera, Paris Opera Studio, Berlin Staatsoper Studio, Vienna Staatsoper Ensemble, La Scala, Theatre Liceu Opera Barcelona, Oper Köln, Oper Leipzig, L’opera de Bruxelles, Janet Williams has worked as an adjunct professor, associate professor, and visiting professor at the Hochschule für Musik und Theater Rostock and at the Hochschule für Musik Hanns Eisler, where she is currently an Honorary Professor. She is regularly invited to judge in international singing competitions. In 2012 she founded the Leistung and Performance Vokal Akademie Berlin, offering master classes, workshops, and performance opportunities for young talent. Janet Williams received Bachelor of Music Degrees in both Vocal Performance and Music Education from Michigan State University and a Master of Music in Vocal Performance from Indiana University. She is a prize winner in numerous vocal competitions. Janet is a long-time mentor, voice teacher, and dear friend of mine, not only did teach me to sing but she really helped me with a lot of my mental hurdles like so many of her other students.  This is a rich interview, full of love for the craft, the voice, and the people who decide to make it their lives work. There is some gold in here for everybody in the profession of singing!    Connect with Janet Williams Website | Facebook   Write an email to Leistung & Performance Vokal Akademie Berlin for inforamation the next upcoming Online 30 day challenge: mail@janet-williams.com Books Mentioned: Nail your next audition by Janet Williams Every good boy does fine by Jeremy Denk Power Performance for singers by Shirlee Emmons and Alma Thomas Performance success by Don Green Focusing by Eugene T. Gendlin Authentic Happiness by Martin Seligman   Reading list from Janet herself: Reading List