Hi, I'm Manuel!
Musician, Meditation Teacher, and Mindful Mentor for Musicians.
Hi, I'm Manuel.
I'm an Italian-Slovenian classical guitarist, certified meditation teacher, and CranioSacral Therapist. I've been playing guitar since I was five years old, and for most of that time, I performed scared.
In 2022, my father and brother were in a serious motorcycle accident. That moment cracked something open in me. I realised that the mental and emotional tools I needed as a person: clarity, calm, the ability to stay present under pressure, were exactly the same ones I had been missing as a musician. From that point forward, I stopped trying to push through anxiety and started learning to work with it.
What followed changed how I practice, how I perform, and how I teach.
Why I Do This Work:
I've experienced firsthand what it feels like to stand in the wings before a concert with a racing heart and a mind full of doubt. I know what it's like to leave the stage replaying every mistake instead of feeling proud of what you gave. I know the exhaustion of practising for hours and still not feeling ready.
These aren't signs of weakness. They're signs that no one ever taught you how to manage the inner side of musicianship. That's what I'm here for.
Through The Centered Musician, I work with classical performers, conservatory students, and dedicated amateur musicians who want to approach their craft with more calm, intention, and joy. The work is practical, personal, and grounded in real experience, both mine and yours.
My Background:
In 2024 I became a certified meditation teacher through Arhanta Yoga, one of Europe's most rigorous teacher training programmes. I also completed my training as a CranioSacral Therapist (CST1), which deepened my understanding of the nervous system, how the body holds tension, and how physical and emotional patterns affect performance.
I am based across the Netherlands, Italy, and Slovenia, and work with musicians online from anywhere in the world.
Alongside my coaching work, I compose and transcribe music for classical guitar. Transcription allows me to explore the expressive language of other composers; composition gives me a space to develop my own voice.
What I work with:
This work is for you if you recognise any of the following:
You tense up physically the moment you step on stage
Your mind races or goes blank under pressure
You leave performances feeling disappointed, even when things went well
Your practice sessions feel mechanical, anxious, or joyless
You love music but dread performing it
You want a sustainable, grounded way of relating to your instrument
You don't need meditation experience. You don't need to be a professional. You just need to be ready to try something different.
What working together looks like:
I offer two ways to work with me:
Private sessions: one-on-one coaching tailored entirely to you, your instrument, and your challenges. We build your personal toolkit together, session by session.
The Calm Musician: a structured 6-week programme that takes you through a complete inner practice, from understanding your anxiety to building daily habits that support calm, focus, and creative freedom.
What musicians say:
"What surprised me the most was how much this experience affected my daily life, not just my music. The micro-practices made me more present, the journaling gave me insight into my habits, and the guided meditations helped me face performance anxiety in a new way. This journey was truly transformative."
— Jonas R., violinist & chamber musician
"Manuel gave me the tools to face stage fright without shutting down. I now have a process I trust, a way to connect with my body, focus my mind, and actually enjoy performing. Every musician should go through something like this."
— Tomás V., guitarist & teacher
“Most of the time, we find ourselves caught in a whirlwind of external distractions that pull our attention away from what truly matters. Whether we realize it or not, this can affect our concentration and focus when studying or performing. Meditation and mindfulness are powerful ways to counter this—especially when applied to music. That’s the path Manuel Bon offers: learning to be fully present in the moment while making music.
Over the course of six weeks, the program guided me toward that goal. I’ve experienced a real shift in mindset and focus—I feel more grounded in the here and now, more able to manage performance anxiety, build confidence, and genuinely enjoy making music. The benefits have gone beyond my music, influencing my personal and social life as well. It’s not a magic fix, but it is a meaningful first step into a practice I highly recommend for any musician who wants to stay centered and connected.”
— Auryn V., professional cellist
"I used to think stress was just part of being a serious musician. This program proved otherwise. Manuel’s approach is deep, personal, and very real. I’ve found a sense of calm that I didn’t think was possible in my career."
— Chiara S., professional cellist
"Before this journey, I constantly felt overwhelmed in the practice room. The Calm Musician program helped me reconnect with my body and breathe through tension instead of fighting it. I now approach myself and the instrument with more clarity, focus, and calm. It's changed the way I prepare and perform."
— Elena M., pianist & conservatory student
Ready to work together?
Whether you're looking for private sessions or a structured programme, I'd love to support your journey.
See how I can help →
© Manuel Bon, 2026. All rights reserved.
+39 3201123742
thecenteredmusician@gmail.com