About Me
Dr Anna McDonald
Attunement performance coach, performer and composer
I combine my experience as a performer with deep psychological and embodied approaches to creativity.
My work is grounded in presence, curiosity, and non-judgement—creating a compassionate space where musicians can safely explore, grow, and express who they truly are.
I have worked with musicians for the past 25 years, to help them uncover their true voice and perform with joy. As an international performer, I have explored an inner as well as outer journey. I have always sought to connect these to each other as one experience.
My story in brief
Coming from a musical family, music has always been a way to express my emotions, spirituality and connection to others. It has taken me around the world – from learning the violin in my nature-infused hometown of Canberra, to studying violin performance at London’s Guildhall School of Music and Drama, to performing on six continents.
From playing baroque violin in a church in Soweto, South Africa to leading orchestras in major concert halls such as the Concertgebouw, Amsterdam and recording for Deutsche Grammophon Archiv, I’ve led a rich and varied life doing what I love.
I’ve been concertmaster for four European orchestras (Gabrieli Consort and Players, The Hanover Band, The Avison Ensemble and Kammerorchester Basel), recorded for many major recording companies and helped start an opera company in Sydney (Pinchgut Opera), for which I was also the concertmaster. I led the ABC’s recording orchestra in Sydney for ten years, on both baroque and modern violin.
I’ve explored other cultures through music, especially Middle Eastern music. Living in Iran and Armenia for three years, and learning Iranian classical music, I now compose and perform compositions which link Iranian and western early music with other cultures – as co-director of the Jazmourian Ensemble.
Interlinking these experiences has been my love for investigating human experience through psychology and personal self-enquiry.
During my PhD at the Australian National University (ANU) School of Music (2023), I explored the historical links between ancient Persian music and early European music, while learning the kamancheh. It helped me to understand the deep connection I felt between nature and music, and between human experience and music-making, two elements deeply embedded in Iranian philosophy.
I also explored the psychology of intercultural music-making, using inner critic work and historical research to transcend my cultural roots and find another musical language and what it meant for me. This was deeply rewarding, and further clarified my conviction that achieving our potential is often about letting go, becoming “unselfed” and finding something greater.
In the west we are very concerned with “personal identity”, but in ancient Iran the emphasis was on unity with nature and, by extension, “human nature.”
When I work with clients I’m interested in your nature, and in helping you to express it unreservedly and courageously.
My credentials
Bachelor of Music, Canberra (now ANU) School of Music, Australia
Advanced Solo Studies, Guildhall School of Music and Drama, London, UK
PhD, ANU School of Music, Australia. Title: Playing Iranian Kamancheh: Exploring Cultural Identity and Intercultural Psychology (2023)
Book or enquire about sessions
If this work sounds like it’s for you, send me a message on the contact form below, or email me on anna@attunementsessions.com.
Let me know a few words about yourself, where you are based and what you’d like help with.
To book a 20 minute free consultation session, please let me know your available days and times. I’ll get back to you shortly to book in a time.
To book a session/s, please let me know your available days and times. I will get back to you shortly, we will make a time, and I will send you a formal invitation and invoice by email. Payments are to be made on or before the day of the session. I use Paypal for international payments, and bank transfers or Paypal within Australia.
I look forward to hearing from you and assisting you along your journey.
email: anna@attunementsessions.com