AN INTERVIEW WITH CAILIN HOWARTH FROM THE PERFORMERS EDGE

by Natasha Ritz April 05, 2020

Cailin Howarth trained as a classical singer at the The Conservatorium of Music at The University of Melbourne before performing professionally in Australia and Europe. As a performer, Cailin saw the need for skilled practitioners who understood the specific challenges of the performing arts, and subsequently returned to study psychology in order to be the change she wanted to see in the industry. Cailin has created The Performer’s Edge to support creatives and performers reach their full potential through bespoke coaching utilising best practise performance psychology.

Listen to our podcast with Cailin now.

Tell us a bit about yourself and what you do? What's your purpose?

My goal with this business is to change the way we look at wellbeing in the arts by shifting the focus away from the 'grit and bear it' approach which was taught when I was going through Music School, to an evidence based approach which takes into account the individual's needs and supports performers to reach their full potential. The Psychological side of performing is so important and yet, almost nothing is taught about this at Tertiary training institutions. I want to change this.

What is something you've learned about yourself this year?

I have learned that I am very structured in the way that I interact with the world. Up until this point, this organisational prowess and structure has served me very well and I have managed to achieve a lot of things in my life so far. However, as an entrepreneur starting my own business in an area that is not very common, this strict adherence to structure and form no longer serves me. I have had to learn to become more agile and willing to deal with changes as they happen. My goal for myself for this year is to let go of the need for control over every aspect of my life and to become more attuned to me intuition.

Podcast episode interview with Cailin Howarth from The Performers Edge - ARNA Talks podcast, women leaders, women's work and laptop bags

What do you love about yourself?

I love that I have big heart. I care very deeply about those in my life and about the things that I deem important. I feel things very deeply and whilst, when those feelings are negative, I feel them very acutely, I also feel positive things very strongly which I see as a gift.

When we do reach gender equality, what does this world look like to you?

From a personal perspective I do not feel as though being a woman has held me back from doing any of the things I have wanted to do in my life. However, this does not mean that I don't believe that there is still an obvious disparity between how men and women are received and treated in the world. My experience of the world is very much mediated by the fact that I grew up in a democratic first world country, and I am very aware of the fact that I am one of the very lucky few who has had the choices I have. We still have a long way to come to achieve true equality in terms of gender but I feel as though we are making positive steps forward.

However, I fear that what society sees as women moving towards equality, actually means that women should become more like men, rather than society valuing the feminine qualities to the same extent as the masculine.

What do you believe are the behaviours that hold women back?

Not recognising their true value.

What has been your boldest move to date?

Starting my own business in an area that is fairly unknown and servicing a client base which notoriously don't have a lot of spare cash.

What's your call to action for women?

Even if you doubt yourself, just get out there and do what you want. Don't let a fear of failure hold you back from doing what inspires you.