Services & Tuition
David has a variety of flexible workshops, classes and one-on-one tuition in Buteyko and Better Breathing Training - Vocal and Performance Coaching -Guided Watercolor Art Sessions - these classes are all bespoke and can be tailored to the individual. Classes are arranged on a per-hour basis, or as a series over a number of weeks. The below categories represent the typical types of classes and workshops David teaches, but each person’s needs are different. If you have a different set of goals to the categories below, send us a message on the contact page, and we’ll see what kind of programme is right for you.
“David McLeod’s presentation to our students was amazing on many levels. He is such a personable presenter, so the students were engaged and able to focus. The content is very interesting, informative and the hands-on approach enabled them to experience the outcomes almost immediately, seeing benefits from the outset. David’s manner and production make for a very worthwhile experience for students and staff combined. Highly recommend.”
Lucy Bermingham, Head of Music, The McDonald College
Book a Workshop/Presentation for your Company, School or Group
contact page
Gift an Experience
Gift cards are now available for one-on-one sessions with David!
Buteyko and Better Breathing
2 x 1.5 hr Sessions plus 1 x 30 minutes online catch up $250 Christmas Special Only
Vocal and Performance Coaching
1.5 hrs $120
Guided Watercolor Sessions (all materials provided)
1.5hrs $120
All sessions are bespoke and combinations are available.
Visit the Contact page to make an inquiry.
Performance Anxiety Workshop
In a world dominated by the pressure to perform, it’s no surprise that many of us suffer from performance anxiety. More than just standing on a stage in front of an audience, everything we do that takes us to the edge of our comfort zone is a performance of sorts, and can be diminished by performance anxiety. Not only stage and screen performances, but also auditions, interviews, presentations, public speaking, exams, contract negotiations, sporting events, developing a portfolio, pitching ideas and even important social gatherings can all be affected. A type of social anxiety, performance anxiety not only impairs the performance itself, it creates a spiral of negative self-talk, worry about failure, destructive self-criticism, comparisons to peers, and distraction, all of which impair overall cognitive function. Needless to say, this can have a huge impact on the performance itself, as well as general physical and mental health.
David McLeod has put together a flexible workshop that trains participants to overcome the debilitating effects of performance anxiety. Having fought his own battle with it and won, David has put his knowledge of the autonomic nervous system, breathing retaining, and his extensive experience as a performer and educator together into one workshop that can dramatically improve your relationship with performing. It will help to establish a practice routine, reduce general anxiety, build confidence and self-esteem, impart powerful tools to deal with unexpected and excessive stress, and significantly reduce the anxiety associated with performances of any kind. Not only will this improve any performance, but it will also give participants an advantage in any demanding, competitive, or performance-heavy situation.
Workshops can optionally include creating visual artwork (with materials provided) and a guided visualisation and meditation, all tailored to the specific needs of the workshop participants. All of these techniques are designed to help establish a practice routine, reduce general anxiety, build confidence and self-esteem, impart powerful tools to deal with unexpected and excessive stress, and significantly reduce the anxiety associated with performances of any kind.
Workshops are tailored to the needs of each group or individual, and can be run as a one off seminar or in several installments. For more information, or to make an inquiry, send us a message on the contact page.
Anyone who feels anxious about any performance, big or small, will benefit from the Performance Anxiety Workshop.
Vocal & Performance Coaching
No matter what level of experience you have, getting a professional to assess your performance can guide you to new heights. Whether you’re looking for ongoing vocal development or working towards a particular performance, David’s extensive professional experience in performance and education can benefit you. This is most applicable to singers and musicians, but good vocal performances can also hugely improve wedding speeches, corporate presentations, any public speaking, media appearances, theatre performances, and more. In addition to David’s technical expertise, he can also coach each performer through the difficulties associated with poor confidence and performance anxiety.
Each performance is unique, and therefore, the preparation should be as well. To learn how David can create a unique vocal and performance coaching experience for you, make an inquiry on the contact page today.
David and a vocal coaching student, Jannet Huimimeng Yu
Buteyko & Breathing Retraining
As a certified Buteyko instructor, David can show you the benefits that Buteyko Breathing can bring. A type of breathing retraining originally developed in 1952 by Ukrainian doctor Konstantin Buteyko, it has since been developed into a therapy for a wide variety of breath and breathing related issues, including sleep apnea and snoring, asthma, rhinitis and even COPD. In addition, the Buteyko Method has been shown to improve symptoms of anxiety, stress, and panic attacks.
Taught by the current President of Buteyko Professionals International, Patrick McKeown and renowned Sydney practitioner Mim Beim, David is a fully accredited member of the Buteyko Clinic International, and offers a series of classes to take you through the Buteyko Method, according to your goals.
Each person’s needs are different, and the Buteyko Method may not be right for you. David also has experience teaching other methods of breathing retraining, including diaphragmatic breathing, mindful breathing and Vipassanā breathing.
Please note, the Buteyko Method is not appropriate for everyone, and should not be practiced by people with certain medical conditions. It is also never a substitute for professional medical advice or medication.
All of these breathing retraining methods are incredibly beneficial, and are an antidote to stress, anxiety, and fast-paced modern life. They are also beneficial as part of a package with performance anxiety and vocal coaching, but can be taught as a stand alone course.
To make an inquiry, visit the contact page.
David demonstrates diaphragmatic breathing to a class.
Art Therapy
You don’t have to be arty or be able to draw to enjoy all the benefits of working with pencil, paint and other art mediums. Creating visual art gives a voice to experiences and feelings not easily expressed in words.
Focusing on the process rather than the finished product, David works alongside you with watercolour, pen and pencil. In a non-judgemental, non-threatening environment, explore your creativity and create abstract, naive or realistic representations in achievable step by step lessons, or as a one-off creative session.
Give a voice to experiences and feelings not easily expressed in words, relax and de-stress develop better self-awareness and self-esteem, work on social skills, sharpen focusing skills, and finish up with a painting, card, bookmark, or simply a fulfilling creative experience.
Below is a link to an article about Davids relationship between his breathing practice and his art work in the popular online Artszine Magazine (starts on page 68).
Make an inquiry on the contact page today.
David takes a selfie during an art therapy session with Ma, a regular client.
This class was conducted in a private home ran for two hours. David can travel to your venue and provide all materials. Numbers capped at 10. To make an inquiry, please head to the Contact page.
HSC Preparation
As an educator with over a decade of experience, David has helped dozens students prepare for their HSC performances. More than musical and artistic advice, David can coach HSC students on the ins-and-outs of the entire performance, what to expect, and what the examiners will be looking for and prioritising. Like any performance, HSC preparation is more than the technical execution of the performance, and David will also take students though the mental preparation, impart strategies to cope with performance anxiety, breathing retraining techniques, and tips on how to create or maintain a practice routine.
The HSC is a uniquely difficult performance environment. David’s specialist knowledge and experience will take some of the guess work and stress out of the process, and give students the confidence to walk into their performances exams feeling fully prepared.
To make an inquiry about HSC preparation, visit the contact page.
David works with two HSC students on their final performance.