Drop The Mic!
September 23
6pm -8pm $35
The first program to effectively combine public speaking and technology in one cohesive package.
Drop The Mic! was conceived when an aspiring political candidate wanted to gain more insight and confidence around public speaking. Although he didn’t win his election, he received numerous compliments – including from some of his competitors! – that his presentations were orderly, efficient and effective. By reducing the clumsiness and hesitation around handling the microphone and the microphone stand, it allowed his audience to focus on his message and not be distracted by fumbling with “the technology.” The overarching goal of Drop The Mic! is to instill confidence and awareness in anyone who uses a microphone and a sound system in a public speaking setting.
After attending this program, attendees will be able to:
1. Confidently handle a microphone and microphone stand
2. Troubleshoot the usual “technical difficulties” that arise with sound systems
3. Clearly identify “the why” in the presentation
4. Apply basic project management skills for a successful presentation
5. Elevate their public speaking skills with three key tips
If participants remember just a few of the tips from the program, their public speaking comfort level and effectiveness will far exceed what most speakers attain.
The program is designed to be fun and interactive. Students are actively engaged to pull them into the lessons as well as to develop their critical thinking about effective communications. The program covers:
1. Envisioning the type of presenter you want to be
2. Preparing and planning
3. Basic project management using who, what, where, when, why
4. Focusing on “the why”
5. Microphones
6. Microphone stands & cables
7. Awareness of filler words
8. Breathing, cadence, and pace
9. Working with event staff
10. Knowing your audience
Whether a student, teacher, entrepreneur, civic leader, guest reader, or any other type of presenter, Drop The Mic! will ensure that you take your presentation skills to the next level!
Peter has always worked at the intersection of music and technology. His first musical experience was on the acoustic piano. From there, he embraced electric keyboards and synthesizers. His time at the Crane School of Music at SUNY Potsdam continued to expand his interest in the technology around music making.
Upon entering the workforce, Peter again was at the dawn of new technology taking hold – the personal computer. Between his own efforts, traditional instruction, and software user groups, Peter moved through roles in IT, technical support, instructional design and delivery, technical marketing, project management, applications development, consulting, and ultimately product management. Peter frames most situations using his skills and experience in music. Communication, preparation, analysis, performance, story-telling, design, and engagement are all rooted in various music educational and performance experiences.
Peter has been in Saratoga for over 30 years and has accompanied, taught, and performed in a variety of settings. A core strength of Peter’s is his ability to adapt and improvise based on the situation in front of him. Beyond creating spur of the moment accompaniments or solos, Peter has also relied upon improvising in his professional work as well as when working with nonprofits.
The creation of Drop The Mic was sparked by a need to give public speakers, and those that support them, a basic understanding of working with a public address system’s technology – microphones, stands, cables, amplifiers, and speakers. An equally important need was to create an awareness, and time to explore, more effective public speaking techniques. With those two sets of tools in a speaker’s pockets, they will be far better equipped to be heard by their audiences. And isn’t that always the goal? Whether we’ve got a guitar in our hands, a trumpet at our lips, or singing from our hearts, when we communicate effectively, we engage and connect.
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