Dr George Waddell

BMus, MMus, PhD, ARCT

George Waddell is Performance Research and Innovation Fellow at the Royal College of Music. He is also Area Leader in Performance Science for the BMus programme and an honorary Research Associate in the Faculty of Medicine at Imperial College London. His research focusses on understanding and optimising how performers learn and are evaluated, including decision-making among judges, the development of evaluative skills, and how technology can be used to enhance how performance is assessed and learned.

George works closely with experts across fields to examine parallels in performance practice and to develop and deliver bespoke performance training to students and professionals, including stage presentation skills, managing performance anxiety, and working creatively under pressure. As Area Leader in Performance Science he oversees a range of BMus RCM modules ensuring that students benefit from the latest research and scientific knowledge in their training. He designs and leads courses on scientific research methods, the psychology of performance, enterprise and innovation, professional skills, musicians’ health and wellbeing, and the science and practice of performance evaluation. He is a coauthor of the research methods textbook Performing Music Research (Oxford University Press) and serves as a consultant on external research projects.

George holds a PhD in Performance Science from the RCM. He completed his BMus and MMus in piano performance at Brandon University (Canada) while studying psychology. He was awarded the Brandon University Gold Medal for the Master of Music Degree, was a recipient of the Manitoba Graduate Scholarship, and holds an ARCT Diploma from the Royal Conservatory of Music in Toronto. He is a Consulting Editor for the journal Musicae Scientiae and an Associate Editor for Frontiers in Performance Science.

Selected publications

Ramirez R & Waddell G (2022), Technology-enhanced learning of performance, in GE McPherson (ed.), The Oxford Handbook of Music Performance Volume 2, Oxford University Press [ISBN 9780190058869].

Waddell G & Williamon A (2022) Measuring the audience, in S Lee (ed.), Scholarly Research in Music: Shared and Disciplinary-Specific Practices (2nd edition), Routledge [ISBN 9780367722180].

Williamon A, Ginsborg J, Perkins R, & Waddell G (2021), Performing Music Research: Methods in Music Education, Psychology, and Performance Science, Oxford University Press [ISBN 9780198714545] [WEBSITE].

Dalmazzo DC, Waddell G, & Ramirez R (2021), Applying deep learning techniques to estimate patterns of musical gesture, Frontiers in Psychology, 11 (575971), 1-15 [DOI].

Waddell G, Perkins R, & Williamon A (2019), The Evaluation Simulator: a new approach to training music performance assessment, Frontiers in Psychology, 10 (557), 1-17 [DOI].

Waddell G & Williamon A (2019), Technology use and attitudes in music learning, Frontiers in ICT, 6 (11), 1-14 [DOI].

Waddell G, Perkins R, & Williamon A (2018), Making an impression: error location and repertoire features affect performance quality rating processes, Music Perception36, 60-76 [DOI].

Waddell G & Williamon A (2017), Eye of the beholder: stage entrance behavior and facial expression affect continuous quality ratings in music performance, Frontiers in Psychology8 (513), 1-14 [DOI] [VIDEO].

Find out more about George and the Centre of Performance Science. Visit website

Find out about the TELMI project. Visit website

Faculties / departments: Research, Academic staff

Latest Publications

Spiro, N. and Shaughnessy, C. and Perkins, R. and Waddell, G. and Campbell, A. and Williamon, A. (2024) The HEartS professional model: a conceptual model for arts professionals’ work and wellbeing. Social Sciences & Humanities Open ISSN 2590-2911 (online) (In Press)

Spiro, N. and Waddell, G. and Adediran, R. and Osmond, P. and Tredget, E. and Sharma, S. and Perkins, R. (2024) Online songwriting and postnatal loneliness. In: Music and Parental Mental Wellbeing. Oxford University Press, Oxford, pp. 92-120. ISBN 9780192863287 (paperback) 9780191954191 (online)

Williamon, A. and Spiro, N. and Yang, J. and Shaughnessy, C. and Luo, C. and Waddell, G. and Perkins, R. (2024) HEartS Professional survey: charting the effects of COVID-19 on working patterns, income, and wellbeing among arts professionals in China (October 2020, August 2021). [Dataset]

Brizzi, M. and Waddell, G. and Williamon, A. (2023) Specialist support for performers: counselling psychologist. [Video]

Costello, D. and Waddell, G. and Williamon, A. (2023) Specialist support for performers: ear, nose, and throat (ENT) consultant. [Video]

Embleton, T. and Waddell, G. and Williamon, A. (2023) Specialist support for performers: psychotherapist. [Video]

Mehta, M. and Waddell, G. and Williamon, A. (2023) Specialist support for performers: osteopath. [Video]

Redding, E. and Waddell, G. and Williamon, A. (2023) Assessing dancers' fitness levels. [Video]

Ryan, F. and Waddell, G. and Williamon, A. (2023) Specialist support for performers: occupational health specialist. [Video]

Trouli, H. and Waddell, G. and Williamon, A. (2023) Specialist support for performers: orthopaedic specialist. [Video]

Trouli, H. and Waddell, G. and Williamon, A. (2023) The importance of music tutors helping students form healthy practice habits. [Video]

Williamon, A. and Spiro, N. and Shaughnessy, C. and Waddell, G. and Perkins, R. and Campbell, A. (2023) HEartS Professional survey: charting the effects of COVID-19 on working patterns, income, and wellbeing among arts professionals in the United Kingdom (April – May 2021). [Dataset]

Spiro, N. and Yang, J. and Shaughnessy, C. and Luo, C. and Perkins, R. and Waddell, G. and Williamon, A. (2023) Work and wellbeing among arts professionals in China during COVID-19 (August 2020 and October 2021). Social Sciences & Humanities Open, 8 (100691). ISSN 2590-2911 (online)

Spiro, N. and Shaughnessy, C. and Waddell, G. and Perkins, R. and Campbell, A. and Williamon, A. (2023) Modelling arts professionals’ wellbeing and career intentions within the context of COVID-19. PLOS One, 18 (10) (e0292722). ISSN 1932-6203 (online)

Shaughnessy, C. and Perkins, R. and Spiro, N. and Waddell, G. and Williamon, A. (2023) Cultivating progressive development in the cultural industries: challenges and support needs identified by the creative workforce in the United Kingdom. Cultural Trends ISSN 0954-8963 (print) 1469-3690 (online)

Perkins, R. and Spiro, N. and Waddell, G. (2023) Online songwriting reduces loneliness and postnatal depression and enhances social connectedness in women with young babies: randomised controlled trial. Public Health, 220 pp. 72-79. ISSN 0033-3506

Perkins, R. and Spiro, N. and Waddell, G. (2023) Songs from Home dataset. [Dataset]

Waddell, G. (2022) The end of the music competition? Arco, 48 (4) pp. 16-20.

Fernandez de Canete, C. and Pineda, I. and Waddell, G. (2022) Music as a Medium of Instruction (MMI): a new pedagogical approach to English Language Teaching for students with and without music training. Language Teaching Research ISSN 1362-1688 (print) 1477-0954 (online)

Shaughnessy, C. and Perkins, R. and Spiro, N. and Waddell, G. and Campbell, A. and Williamon, A. (2022) The future of the cultural workforce: perspectives from early career arts professionals on the challenges and future of the cultural industries in the context of COVID-19. Social Sciences & Humanities Open, 6 (1) pp. 1-12. ISSN 2590-2911 (online)

Waddell, G. and Williamon, A. (2022) Measuring the audience. In: Scholarly Research in Music: Shared and Disciplinary-Specific Practices (Second Edition). Routledge. ISBN 9780367722166 (hardback) 9780367722180 (paperback)

Ramirez, R. and Waddell, G. (2022) Technology enhanced learning of performance. In: The Oxford Handbook of Music Performance, Volume 2. Oxford Handbooks . Oxford University Press, Oxford. ISBN 9780190058869 (hardback) 9780190058876 (e-book) 9780190058883 (e-book)

Williamon, A. and Waddell, G. and Spiro, N. and Perkins, R. and Shaughnessy, C. and Campbell, A. and Miraldo, M. and Lalioti, V. and Ppali, S. (2022) Policy brief: HEartS professional: the Health, Economic and Social impact of COVID-19 on Professionals in the ARTs: findings and policy implications for cultural recovery. The Pandemic and Beyond.

Doe, S. and Waddell, G. and Williamon, A. (2021) Specialist support for performers: optician. [Video]

Murphy, M. and Waddell, G. and Williamon, A. (2021) Specialist support for performers: podiatrist. [Video]

Upjohn, S. and Waddell, G. and Williamon, A. (2021) Limbering up for practice and performance. [Video]

Upjohn, S. and Waddell, G. and Williamon, A. (2021) Musculoskeletal health for young performers. [Video]

Upjohn, S. and Waddell, G. and Williamon, A. (2021) Prevention of performers' musculoskeletal issues. [Video]

Upjohn, S. and Waddell, G. and Williamon, A. (2021) Symptoms of performers' musculoskeletal issues. [Video]

Upjohn, S. and Waddell, G. and Williamon, A. (2021) Treatment of performers' musculoskeletal issues. [Video]

Costello, D and Waddell, G. and Williamon, A. (2021) Singing safely in a pandemic. [Video]

Shepheard, R. and Waddell, G. and Williamon, A. (2021) Noise at work regulations for performers. [Video]

Shepheard, R. and Waddell, G. and Williamon, A. (2021) Noise induced hearing loss for performers. [Video]

Ginsborg, J. and Waddell, G. and Williamon, A. (2021) Health education for musicians. [Video]

Williamon, A. and Ginsborg, J. and Perkins, R. and Waddell, G. (2021) Performing music research: methods in music education, psychology, and performance science. Oxford University Press, Oxford. ISBN 9780198714545 (paperback)

Dalmazzo, D. and Waddell, G. and Ramirez, R. (2021) Applying deep learning techniques to estimate patterns of musical gesture. Frontiers in Psychology, 11 (575971). ISSN 1664-1078

Karni-Cohen, T. and Waddell, G. and Williamon, A. (2020) Specialist support for performers: general practitioner (GP). [Video]

Lisboa, T. and Jónasson, P. and Johnson, C. and Waddell, G. and Williamon, A. (2020) A guide to effective online music lessons. [Video]

Ryan, F. and Cordeaux, C. and Waddell, G. and Williamon, A. (2020) COVID-19 risk assessment guidelines. [Video]

Shepheard, R. and Cordeaux, C. and Waddell, G. and Williamon, A. (2020) Hearing conservation guidance for the performing arts. [Video]

Shepheard, R. and Waddell, G. and Williamon, A. (2020) Specialist support for performers: audiologist. [Video]

Upjohn, S. and Waddell, G. and Williamon, A. (2020) Specialist support for performers: physiotherapist. [Video]

Waddell, G. and Williamon, A. (2020) Healthy performer trailer. [Video]

Waddell, G. and Williamon, A. (2019) Technology use and attitudes in music learning. Frontiers in ICT, 6 (11). ISSN 2297-198X

Waddell, G. (2019) Time to decide: a study of evaluative decision-making in music performance. Doctoral thesis, Royal College of Music.

Waddell, G. and Perkins, R. and Williamon, A. (2019) The Evaluation Simulator: a new approach to training music performance assessment. Frontiers in Psychology, 10 (557). ISSN 1664-1078

Giraldo, S. and Waddell, G. and Nou, I. and Ortega, A. and Mayor, O. and Perez, A. and Williamon, A. and Ramirez, R. (2019) Automatic assessment of tone quality in violin music performance. Frontiers in Psychology, 10 (334). ISSN 1664-1078

Waddell, G. and Perkins, R. and Williamon, A. (2018) Making an impression: error location and repertoire features affect performance quality rating processes. Music Perception, 36 (1) pp. 60-76. ISSN 1533-8312

Waddell, G. and Williamon, A. (2017) Eye of the beholder: stage entrance behavior and facial expression affect continuous quality ratings in music performance. Frontiers in Psychology, 8 (513). ISSN 1664-1078

Waddell, G. and Williamon, A. (2017) Measuring the audience. In: Scholarly Research for Musicians. Routledge, Abingdon, pp. 148-155. ISBN 978-1138208896

Margoudi, M. and Waddell, G. and Oliveira, M. (2017) Co-creating a gamified solution for music learning. In: Proceedings of the 11th European Conference on Games Based Learning. Academic Conferences and Publishing International Ltd., Reading, pp. 420-428. ISBN 9781510850446

Margoudi, M. and Oliveria, M. and Waddell, G. (2016) Game-based learning of musical instruments: a review and recommendations. In: Proceedings of the 10th European Conference on Games Based Learning. Academic Conferences and Publishing International Ltd, Reading, pp. 426-433. ISBN 9781911218098

Waddell, G. (2015) Book review: 'Expressiveness in music performance: empirical approaches across styles and cultures' ed. D. Fabian, R. Timmers, & E. Schubert. Psychology of Music, 43 pp. 909-912. ISSN 0305-7356 (print) 1741-3087 (online)

Contact

For enquiries please contact:

Dr George Waddell

Doctoral Supervisor, Area Leader in Performance Science, Performance Research and Innovation Fellow

research@rcm.ac.uk

george.waddell@rcm.ac.uk

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