SPARK Practice Library
Explore our curated collection of free and premium resources, all designed to support your journey toward musical excellence. From downloadable guides to in-depth articles, you'll find everything you need to practice smarter and perform better.
SPARK PRACTICE SIGNATURE PRACTICE PLANS
Featured Practice Plan
Try something new in the practice room
The SPARK Practice Timer is an essential took to organize your practice.
Using Interleaved Interval training, pick a practice strategy for each SPARK element, set the timer, and experience expert, ne practice.
Best Practice(s) | with guest
Join the Practice Professor Sarah Niblack and special guests to learn about how inspiring musicians from around the world practice and get ready for performances.
Try their Signature Practice Plan for yourself in The Practice Room!
SPARK PRACTICE STRATEGIES
SPARK Practice Library
Strategies, tips, and techniques for you
Find a previous conference, article, or presentation below. Have an idea for SPARK Practice or want to work together? Tell us HERE!
Best Practice(s) | Blog from SPARK Practice
Imagine stepping onto a stage, the spotlight shining down, nerves tingling with excitement. You take a deep breath, ready to perform, but what sets apart a great performance from a good one? The answer lies in a concept that can transform your practice and elevate your music: intentional practice. This isn’t just about putting in hours of work; it’s about practicing with purpose, intention, and directed focus. Let's dive into the core principles of intentional practice and how they can change your musical journey.
Everything you need to know about Cake
Imagine stepping onto a stage, the spotlight shining down, nerves tingling with excitement. You take a deep breath, ready to perform, but what sets apart a great performance from a good one? The answer lies in a concept that can transform your practice and elevate your music: intentional practice. This isn’t just about putting in hours of work; it’s about practicing with purpose and directed focus. Let's dive into the core principles of intentional practice and how they can change your musical journey.
Great practice starts with a PlanThe Essential
SPARK Practice Kit
Great practice starts with a PlanThese three proven tools for you and your students need to organize your practice, get the most out of lessons and always make progress in the practice room!
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BEST PRACTICE(S) INTERVIEWS
SPARK Practice & Friends
Inspiring interviews with great musicians
SPARK Practice, we love to share a conversation with other musicians and friends. Want to chat with SPARK Practice? Send a message!
Performance success starts in the practice room.
When you learn how to practice, the whole world opens.
SARAH NIBLACK, THE PRACTICE PROFESSOR
Contribute to the Practice Library
Add your own practice strategy
Courses and workshops for passionate teachers to deepen their knowledge and skills
The brain is the most important instrument you will ever play.
Don't forget to tune it well.
SARAH NIBLACK, THE PRACTICE PROFESSOR
FOR YOUR STUDENTS
Essential Practice Kit
to Practice Better Today
Boost student autonomy and have more fun teaching when your students have the right tools to support what you're working on in lessons - and the clear accountability so they actually want to practice!
SPARK Practice Formula
Expert strategic training and techniques for advanced practice
SPARK Practice Room
Strategically reach your goals in a curated, accelerated environment with other motivated musicians
SPARK Practice Planner
Work directly with the SPARK Practice founder for custom training, strategic practice, and exclusive personal support
Frequently Asked Questions
No worries - I've been there. And even though that's a scary feeling to have - I'm not afraid of it, and I can help you through that. Book a Practice Boost so we can sort it out, see what is already working, celebrate the good, look into where things might be stuck, and make a plan for you to move forward.
What a big shift! Join the Practice Room community for group practice sessions, masterclasses, Q&A sessions, studio class, and more. You can also take a class to keep learning and have a group of new friends learning together. You're not alone - being out of school in the musical landscape can definitely feel overwhelming.
What a big shift! Join the Practice Room community for group practice sessions, masterclasses, Q&A sessions, studio class, and more. You can also take a class to keep learning and have a group of new friends learning together. You're not alone - being out of school in the musical landscape can definitely feel overwhelming.
You can click "Log In" at the top of the page, access it from the SPARK Practice App, or the Practice Room page.
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The navigation design should communicate the relationship between the links it contains so that users understand the options they have for navigating the site.
Yes!
- As a member of The Practice Room community, you can submit video questions monthly for personalized feedback.
- If you're not yet a member of The Practice Room, you can submit one question to get started HERE.
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Yes, we are. We're a school registered in France since 2021, with students, residences, speaking events, conference presentations, academic publications, and partners around the globe.
Legal information
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Sarah Niblack is The Practice Professor. She's a professional violist, former Division 1 Scholarship Rower, teacher, and founder of SPARK Practice.
About SPARK Practice →
Sarah Niblack's Bio →
Press, PR, and Official Inquiries →
Have a question or comment for Sarah? Please fill out the form →
Want personalized help about your practice, mindset, and performances? Book a session with Sarah →
Welcome to SPARK Practice! I'm so glad you're here. Sarah
Your best practice starts here
Get better every time you practice
Join the Practice Room
Achieve consistent, confident results with SPARK Practice, the Intentional Practice System
Research & Resources
Get Started Today
The SPARK Practice Timer
Courses and workshops for passionate teachers to deepen their knowledge and skills
Signature SPARK Practice Plans
Virtual and/or in-person residencies and classes to support your learners
Great practice starts with a PlanFREE Guided Practice
SPARK Practice
With the proprietary SPARK Practice Formula, you'll become a better musician in your next practice session. Transform your practice and never get stuck in the practice room again.
Get your guided SPARK Practice session and Find your SPARK!
Your data is safe and will never be sold or shared without your permission. Check your email to get your guide and subscribe.
I wanted to circle back and say THANK YOU AGAIN.
It’s truly been a transformative experience for me and I’ve emerged having gained more confidence, insight and joy for making music.
I’ve really been needing for a long time. In previous years of my musical studies, I’ve faced many difficulties with how to practice effectively. Never having felt I learned how to practice, many insecurities arose and made life very challenging.
Your commitment to creating a safe space and helping me envision my full potential has given me newfound energy to achieve my goals. I couldn’t be more grateful for your enthusiasm, passion and support. It made the world of a difference.
ARI, Grad Student, USA
What SPARK Practicers say
Spark Practice gets results 100% of the time, and I love to use it in my own practice and with my students! SPARK Practice is effective, practical, and, therefore, motivating!
Daina
Violinist & Suzuki Association of the Americas teacher, USA
On stage, I felt like myself when I played. I knew I was playing my best. I could play how I wanted to play.
Sydney
Master's Student, USA
SPARK Practice is brilliant! The system has helped both me & my students become more efficient practicers & more secure performers. It can be applied at every ability level & the results are tangible!
Gwendolyn
Associate Principal Viola & Teacher, UK
I can see the changes in me.
Now when I play, I can see the story more than my fear.
Maria
Master's Student, Germany
The Spark method really helped me leading up to my final recital. It meant I could achieve my targets in much less time without burnout. It has made practice more manageable, focussed and fun!
Isobel
Undergrad Student, UK
THE HEADQUARTERS OF EXPERT PRACTICE
Great Performance starts with Great Practice
Adapted to your unique profile
Achieve consistent, confident results with SPARK Practice, the Intentional Practice System