My name is Saskia Plagge. I’m a cellist with over 20 years of experience as a professional musician. I perform regularly on stage as an orchestra musician, chamber music player and as a soloist. I’m also a passionate cello teacher. I teach children, enthusiastic amateurs and music students towards a healthy and joyful development of their talents.
I started playing the cello professionally at a very young age and I went through a lot during all those years. In addition to many positive experiences, I also had to deal with pressure, expectations, disappointment, tension complaints, depression, and injuries. I can rightfully call myself an expert by experience. I longed for someone to support me mentally many times. At that time, I was not able to find the right person who truly understood what I needed.
From this lack arose my big passion to coach musicians in their personal process. I’ve started studying to become a coach years ago and I’ve never stopped learning since. Meanwhile, I’ve become an experienced coach, counselor and therapist. I’d be happy to use my expertise to guide you!
My education
- Bachelor of music (cello) at the Conservatory of Amsterdam
- Academy of the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra
- Senior coach & counselor (HBO+) at Alba Academie
- Counselor codependency at Counseling Center Changes
- Reiki degree I and II with Reikimaster Astrid Bos
- Integral trauma coaching at Alba Academie (i.o.)
- Psychosocial Basics at Con Amore (i.o.)
My vision
It may be said that the music profession is mentally very demanding. First you have to invest a lot of time and effort in achieving and maintaining the desired level of playing. Then, as an artist, it is the intention to expose part of your personality in order to create a meaningful interpretation. This calls for the musician’s vulnerability. You will then be asked to perform under potentially stressful circumstances. Especially because you expose a part of your own soul, performing becomes part of their own identity for many musicians. That means there's a lot at stake and you actually have something to lose.
Fortunately, in the music world, coaching and counseling is becoming more and more accepted. In the sports world we see good examples of how psychological and mental support have become an important part of the training process. It is increasingly recognized how important it is to shift the focus from performing to enjoying the journey. As soon as an athlete succeeds at this, winning seems to come naturally.
The foregoing has inspired me to look at music performance differently. It is my philosophy that a student can only develop in a mentally healthy way from a safe and trusted basis. I work in a process-oriented way: intrinsic motivation, fun and experimentation in an emotionally safe environment without judgment. If this succeeds, learning will come naturally!
This is in huge contrast to performance-oriented working. Here the pressure is increased to get the best result as possible as quickly as possible. There is little room for fun and experimentation, because mistakes and failures are judged as disappointing. This stern judgment can eventually become the student's inner critic. Destructive teaching situations can lead to profound psychological problems.
A student who develops according to my philosophy will grow up to be a balanced musician. A musician who finds his (or her) professional satisfaction above all in the pleasure that he brings from practicing his profession. The good moments bring joy, but the lesser moments don't make his world collapse. Performing in itself does not affect his self-esteem. And then something miraculous happens: if this succeeds, performing to the best of his ability will follow naturally!Over the years, many musicians have developed mental barriers and it is no longer possible to play your instrument freely and without fear during practice or performance. Under my guidance you can explore and heal these obstacles.
Experiences
The coaching sessions are a safe space for me. They provided me with a chance to speak about my stage fright, insecurities and fear of public opinion and motivated me to seek ways of gaining more freedom as a performer.
Cellist, age 27
I have learned a lot from Saskia's coaching so far. For me, these conversations are strenuous and very educational! What strikes me most is that Saskia always has a positive view of everything.
I have become much more aware of how I would eventually like to present myself on stage. That's going better at some concerts than others, but I'm already experiencing growth. I have also noticed that I enjoy everything I do even more!
I am very satisfied! I am constantly learning to reflect on myself (as a cellist, but also as a non-cellist) in a different way!
Cellist, age 22
The coaching conversation with Saskia has been very helpful. We talked about subjects that are important for young musicians, in my case stage nerves. I am very satisfied, because it is difficult to find a solution by yourself. The coach helped me by asking questions about my feelings and looking into the cause of my problem.
I got new insights and advice that I'm gonna try to put into practise.
Cellist, age 19
English 
Dutch