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BUCHAREST, ROMANIA

Mindful on Stage: Competition Wellbeing

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The George Enescu International Competition is pioneering a culture of mental health, resilience, and sustainable artistry for the next generation of performers.

In the high-stakes world of international music competitions, the focus has historically been absolute: technical perfection, interpretive brilliance, and the endurance to survive an grueling schedule. Yet, at the most recent George Enescu International Competition in Bucharest, the spotlight shifted, if only momentarily, from the stage to the inner lives of the performers themselves. Through ‘Mindful on Stage’, the competition placed greater emphasis on the wellbeing of its participants, integrating dedicated emotional support into the competition experience.

This was not a peripheral addition, but a core component of the 2026 edition. Spearheaded by Dr. Angelica Postu, a pianist, psychologist, and music therapist, the program offered three open conferences and three full days of individual sessions dedicated to each instrument category. Held between the first and second rounds—a period often fraught with the highest anxiety—the sessions provided participants with a necessary "oasis of calm" amidst the intense pressure of the competition.

The response was overwhelming. Participation levels soared compared to previous years, with 32 musicians engaging in individual sessions. This interest highlights the importance of recognising participants as people whose emotional needs deserve as much attention as their artistic development.

"Mindful on Stage" operates through a protected, therapeutic lens, allowing artists to explore performance-related thoughts, emotions, and experiences without the pressure of achieving immediate, superficial changes. By grounding participants in body awareness, breath work, and inner reflection, the sessions aim to foster resilience and a more sustainable, meaningful relationship with their artistic practice. 

Dr. Postu argues that this initiative represents a necessary alignment with reality, rather than a "luxury" of competition life. As she notes, prioritizing the mental and physical health of the artist is essential for the long-term sustainability of the profession. Music, by its nature, is a form of deep interpersonal communication, and facilitating an environment where musicians can approach this with kindness—toward themselves as well as their audiences—is essential to evolving the culture of classical music.

By normalizing the need for emotional support within the artistic process, the George Enescu International Competition has set a new benchmark. It sends a powerful message that artistic excellence and a healthier, more sustainable approach to music-making belong together.

Postu

Dr. Angelica Postu is a pianist, psychologist, and music therapist with over 10 years of experience bridging clinical psychology and the professional classical music scene. Specializing in the health and wellbeing of performing artists, she holds a PhD from the Berlin University of the Arts. Dr. Postu combines clinical work, teaching, and research to support musicians in preparing for, and recovering from, the demands of high-level performance. Her approach is rooted in the artist’s inner reflection, utilizing body awareness, breath, and the language of performance to promote resilience and sustainable artistic development. She holds associate lectureships at the University of the Arts Berlin and the National University of Music in Bucharest, and serves as a Clinical Music Therapist at the Charité Psychiatry University Hospital in Berlin.

 

 

 

©WFIMC 2026 Photos: ©Catalina Filip