In this episode, we dive into the world of performance and self-expression with Elma Linz Kanefield, author of 'Hamlet's Mirror: Reaching Your Performance Potential'. Elma shares her expertise on how to overcome obstacles, build confidence, and unlock your full potential. Join us as we explore the intersection of performance, psychology, and personal growth, and discover how 'Hamlet's Mirror' can help you reach new heights in your craft and beyond.

About Elma

Elma Linz Kanefield, LCSW, CPC, succumbed to debilitating stage fright as a young performer which left her voice… silent. However, rather than remain devastated and at the effect of her fear, she transformed her fright into her life’s calling and became a specialist in the psychology of the performing artist.

So passionate was Elma about addressing the special personal and professional needs, challenges and possibilities of performing artists that she relocated in 1980 from the Midwest to New York City to open the only Psychotherapeutic private practice exclusive to performers. For the last four decades Elma has been healing and empowering artists at all ages and stages of their lives and careers

In 1986, Elma became the Founding Director of The Juilliard School’s Counseling Services. She created the first of its kind, on-campus, fully staffed psychotherapy facility, offering unlimited, confidential sessions to serve the entire graduate and post-graduate student body. The Juilliard School’s Counseling Services remains the only mental health service in the world for performing arts students in an independent performing arts institution. Elma has continued to serve The Juilliard School as a clinical and organizational consultant.

Elma attended Connecticut College in New London, Connecticut and attained her undergraduate degree with honors in psychology at Webster University in St. Louis, Missouri. She went on to earn her Masters of Social Work at Washington University in St. Louis and did her post-graduate studies in Advanced Psychodynamic Psychotherapy at the Psychoanalytic Institute in St. Louis. In New York City, Elma became a Certified Professional Life Coach at iPEC, the Institute for Professional Excellence in Coaching. She also studied at The Neighborhood Playhouse in New York City and Yale Music Summer School in Norwalk, Connecticut. Elma is a member of Actors Equity.

Elma’s philanthropic work includes Board memberships on: The Actors Center, The New York New Music Ensemble, The Juilliard Council, The Actor’s Fund’s Dancer’s Resource Advisory Council, and Chair of the Artist for the Cure Benefit at Carnegie Hall. In 1999, Elma became a member of The Lotos Club, an arts and literary club founded in 1870 in New York City. As a member, she was asked to serve on The Lotos Foundation Board that offers grants to noteworthy arts organizations in the city.

Not only has Elma written and lectured about her specialization on the psychology of the performing artist, but her pioneering expertise on stage fright has been written about and quoted in The New York Times, Time Magazine, The US and Canadian Opera News, In Style Magazine, The Daily News, and other trade publications. 

Elma recently published a book reflecting her life’s work entitled Hamlet’s Mirror, Reaching Your Performance Potential Onstage and Off.