Timing, poise and mental calm: why legendary gymnast Simone Biles is an inspiration for all musicians

Timing, poise and mental calm: why legendary gymnast Simone Biles is an inspiration for all musicians

Conductor Gemma New salutes the focus, positivity and grace under pressure of artistic gymnast Simone Biles

Simone Biles © Getty

Published: July 18, 2024 at 1:45 pm

Gemma New conducts the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra at the 2024 BBC Proms on 16 August. On the programme are Mendelssohn's A Midsummer Night's Dream and Mozart's Clarinet Concerto. Here she speaks about her admiration for Simone Biles, one of the greatest gymnasts of all time...

It is an impossible task for me to choose just one of my many heroes from our musical community. Thus, and especially given it being an Olympic year, I am taking this opportunity to highlight Simone Biles, a heroine in a sport from which musicians can draw many parallels.

Conducting and gymnastics have more in common than you think...

As with musicians, for artistic gymnasts the ratio between preparation and performance falls heavily in favour of the former. When the intense moment of performance finally comes, gymnasts and musicians both need to find a mental calm, inner breath and focused mind.

Simone Biles competes on the floor at the US Olympic Gymnastics Trials 2024

They need to muster confidence, posture, balance, strength and poise, as the timing and intent of their movements need to be absolutely perfectly on point. Listening to their body, sensitivity, awareness and concentration are all paramount.

As with conductors, while constantly working with others, a gymnast’s path is a uniquely individual one. They need to be open to self-criticism if they are to grow in their careers. It is for all these reasons that I find gymnastics an incredibly inspiring sport.

Simone Biles – a focused mind, confidence and timing

At the Paris Olympics I will be cheering for Simone Biles, who time and time again has excelled in all of the above. Beyond that, as a leader in her field she has instilled a positive, warm, fun, supportive working atmosphere for her colleagues. It reminds me of the healthy working environment we aim to encourage onstage as conductors.

Bravo, Simone – and the best of luck for the Paris Olympics!

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