Performance Coaching w/ Pres
practical, step-by-step course designed to help aspiring artists become commanding performers on any stage—whether that stage is a campus event, an intimate showcase, a packed venue, or in front of a camera.
Led by NCEG Executive Director and veteran performance coach Derek “Pres” Jackson, this course breaks performance down into teachable, repeatable skills. Students will learn how to prepare professionally, move with purpose, control their voice, engage a crowd, and build complete sets that feel polished and impactful.
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Meet Your Instructor
Get to know Derek Jackson—his background, coaching philosophy, and why he’s passionate about helping artists become unforgettable performers.
Get to know Derek Jackson—his background, coaching philosophy, and why he’s passionate about helping artists become unforgettable performers.
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Why Performance?
Learn why live performance is one of the most powerful tools for building fans, creating opportunities, and making your music connect on a deeper level.
Learn why live performance is one of the most powerful tools for building fans, creating opportunities, and making your music connect on a deeper level.
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The 5 Basic Traits of a Good Performance
Understand the core fundamentals every artist needs to command a stage, from confidence and presence to timing and preparation.
Understand the core fundamentals every artist needs to command a stage, from confidence and presence to timing and preparation.
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Going from Good to Great: The Advanced Techniques
Take your performances to the next level with professional strategies that create stronger engagement, sharper execution, and bigger moments.
Take your performances to the next level with professional strategies that create stronger engagement, sharper execution, and bigger moments.
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Prepare your tracks
Learn how to properly organize, edit, and format your performance tracks so you sound polished and professional every time you hit the stage.
Learn how to properly organize, edit, and format your performance tracks so you sound polished and professional every time you hit the stage.
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Prepare your stage
Discover how to assess your performance space, plan your setup, and position yourself for maximum impact before the show even begins.
Discover how to assess your performance space, plan your setup, and position yourself for maximum impact before the show even begins.
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Microphone placement
Master proper mic technique to improve vocal clarity, control volume, and avoid common mistakes that hurt your performance.
Master proper mic technique to improve vocal clarity, control volume, and avoid common mistakes that hurt your performance.
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Posture & Body Language
Your body speaks before you do—learn how posture, movement, and presence communicate confidence and command attention.
Your body speaks before you do—learn how posture, movement, and presence communicate confidence and command attention.
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Breathing Exercises
Build breath control and stamina so you can perform with power, maintain energy, and stay vocally strong throughout your set.
Build breath control and stamina so you can perform with power, maintain energy, and stay vocally strong throughout your set.
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Rhythm exercises
Strengthen your internal timing, improve flow, and sharpen your ability to stay locked in with the beat and your performance cues.
Strengthen your internal timing, improve flow, and sharpen your ability to stay locked in with the beat and your performance cues.
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Projection
Learn how to make your voice fill a room with confidence—without shouting—through proper technique, energy, and control.
Learn how to make your voice fill a room with confidence—without shouting—through proper technique, energy, and control.
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Introduction
Craft a strong introduction that captures attention, establishes your identity, and creates an immediate connection with the audience.
Craft a strong introduction that captures attention, establishes your identity, and creates an immediate connection with the audience.
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Stage blocking
Learn how to intentionally use the stage—where to stand, when to move, and how to create visual energy through purposeful positioning.
Learn how to intentionally use the stage—where to stand, when to move, and how to create visual energy through purposeful positioning.
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Adding variations & stillness
Discover how contrast creates impact by balancing movement, intensity, pauses, and stillness to make moments hit harder.
Discover how contrast creates impact by balancing movement, intensity, pauses, and stillness to make moments hit harder.
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Hooks & crowd work
Turn spectators into participants by learning how to engage audiences, create call-and-response moments, and keep energy high.
Turn spectators into participants by learning how to engage audiences, create call-and-response moments, and keep energy high.
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Finding moments
Identify the key moments in your performance that audiences will remember—and learn how to maximize them.
Identify the key moments in your performance that audiences will remember—and learn how to maximize them.
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Building setlists
Structure your songs in a way that builds momentum, controls energy, and creates a complete performance experience from start to finish.
Structure your songs in a way that builds momentum, controls energy, and creates a complete performance experience from start to finish.
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Song transitions
Keep your performance flowing smoothly with clean, intentional transitions that maintain attention and avoid dead space.
Keep your performance flowing smoothly with clean, intentional transitions that maintain attention and avoid dead space.
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Call to action
Finish strong with a memorable closing that leaves an impression and directs your audience toward what to do next—follow, stream, buy, or connect.
Finish strong with a memorable closing that leaves an impression and directs your audience toward what to do next—follow, stream, buy, or connect.
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