OPHER BRAYER

Talent Developer expert, Business Mentor, Coach, Teacher, Methodologist and Creator

Since 1984, Opher has been researching, refining and applying unique methodologies which have demonstrated that people can develop multi-disciplinary talent, contrary to the popularly held notion that talent is “natural”.

Originally a jazz musician and teacher who founded the jazz department of Thelma Yellin High school of the fine arts in Israel, Opher has developed and optimized his RTC (Real Time Composition) model for excellent musicianship. During those years he raised an impressive number of both local and international world class professional musicians.

Opher has taught alongside pioneer of competitive intelligence theory and founder of the Academy of Competitive Intelligence, Professor Ben Gilad, in FULD, Boston. He has also developed dozens of unique methodologies and processes for developing talent and the potential found in both individuals and groups. Opher’s latest methodology, “Swing Management”, has enabled companies to shift from startup thinking to corporal level management and vice versa, using original and sophisticated models that were implemented by Opher in the corporate world, as well as in startups.

The Swing Management uniquely enables precise analysis and re-engineering of the strategic management fabric of individual organizations, divisions, departments or ad-hoc teams, as well as the capability of integrating the appropriate strategy and methodology with the most effective and appropriate method of implementation for any given situation. By using three main models – Talent Development, Management Strategies, and Personal Business Relationships, the system enhances the managerial ability of individuals and organizations, thereby improving effectiveness both on an individual level and as part of a broader managerial structure.

Opher assists leading CEOs and industrialists with dedicated management strategies, supports processes in mergers and acquisitions, shares expertise in establishing large corporations, and supports start-ups.

These days, Opher is in the process of launching his latest innovation, The Talent Academy, a worldwide off and online enterprise, based on his Multi-Talent Disciplinary Model.

Specialty:

• Management Strategies
• Business Systems’ Dynamics
• Talent Development
• Intuitive Innovation
• Systemic Improvisation & Creativity
• Networking
• Problem Solving Techniques

Some of Opher’s clients include:

Orange (communication), Pelephone (communication), Eurocom-Nokia, Cellcom (communication), HP, Gilon (BI), Matrix, Quintyles, Microsoft, Comverse, Amdocs, Good People, Astra Zeneca, NDS, Reckit Benkizer, Tnuva, Strauss Group, Intel, Motorola, Orek, Teva, Dan Hotels, Magic, BBDO EU.

JAMES HOOD

James Hood is renowned as a vital and versatile musical pioneer. His lengthy and varied musical resume includes playing drums in The Pretenders, an ongoing two-decades-plus run as mastermind of the visionary ambient/electronica act Moodswings and an expansive array of production and soundtrack projects. 

In 2014 James launched the album Ceremony, an exploration of a uniquely mesmeric melodic instrument – the PanArt Hang. The “sonic incense” of this recording spoke to fans of ambient artists such as Brian Eno, Phillip Glass and those seeking a peaceful time-slowing soundtrack. Ceremony was a resounding success, introducing tens of thousands of listeners to a compelling sonic experience, and reaching #1 on World and New Age charts in US and Canada.  James repeated that success once again with the release of Pure Ceremony in 2015.​

The story now continues with the global release of James third album, Mesmerica on November 10th, 2017.  This new two disc album finds James further deepening his sonic explorations, adding additional instrumentation and rhythmic textures to his now signature soundscapes.  A musical journey that will take you deep into the beautiful space that is your higher self.  James will be touring Mesmerica globally in 2018 with performances planned at planetariums and immersive domes worldwide.

Sit back and breath.  The ceremony is about to begin.  Turn off your mind, relax and float downstream as you enter the magical world that is MESMERICA.

BLOND ONYX

Blonde Onyx is the solo live and electronic music project of vocalist, composer, producer, live-looper, and multi-instrumentalist BuddhaBee. Through his unique sound design, Blonde Onyx weaves multi-genre soundscapes that feature powerful vocals, bright melodies, and deep bass, creating feel-good audio magic on the dance floor or wherever anyone enjoys it!

Blonde Onyx was created to inspire, uplift, move, and create a greater connection and understanding of life, humanity, and oneself. Connecting to music through dance and movement can be an integral part of the joyful evolutionary experience, and Blonde Onyx aims to allow for ones ‘natural transformations’ and ‘inner playfulness’ to come through.

Natalie Graves, AM, LCSW, CADC

Natalie Graves has a private practice specializing in athletes’ mental health & wellness. She received her master’s degree from the University of Chicago School of Social Service Administration and her Bachelor’s degree from Chicago State University. She was a visiting student at the University of Maryland where she studied abroad in London, England in the Sport, Commerce, and Culture in the Global Marketplace Program. Natalie also completed an Addictions Studies Program at City Colleges of Chicago Kennedy-King College. 

Natalie has worked in social service agencies for many years and has also worked in Illinois School Districts in the role of a school social worker. As part of her private practice she now consults with schools, social service agencies, organizations and sports teams. She also created the only one of its kind sport social work clinical supervision group. Here, Natalie meets with social work students and professionals to discuss sport social work cases and best practices.Natalie also works with athletes individually with issues that affects them on and off the field.

Natalie is a member of the University of Michigan's Social Worker and Sports Association.Natalie is also the founder and president of the 1 in 4 PROJECT. This organization is comprised of social workers focused on bringing awareness of mental health and wellness to the sport community. Natalie is a guest lecturer at the University of Michigan School of Social Work.

In April 2018 the NBA asked Natalie to present on mental wellness to their the players in a new gaming league. In New York City, she presented three days at their rookie transition program on mental health, self-care and goal setting.

Natalie was interviewed by the magazine Social Work Today for their 2014 July/August article Youth Athletes off the Field.Natalie speaks throughout the United States and England on topics relating to mental health and sports. She has been a guest on several radio shows discussing various issues within sports. Natalie Graves is a Certified School Social Worker, Licensed Clinical Social Worker and Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor. Natalie has two published magazine articles on mindfulness and runners. 

Info:

Email: socialworkandsports@gmail.com

Blog: nataliethesocialworker.blogspot.com 

Twitter: natalie_graves1 

John started the Changing the Game Project in 2012 after two decades as a soccer player and coach on the youth, high school, college and professional level.  He is the author of the #1 bestselling books Changing the Game: The Parents Guide to Raising Happy, High Performing Athletes, and Giving Youth Sports Back to our Kids and Is it Wise to Specialize? John’s work has been featured in The Huffington Post, CNN.com, Outside Magazine, ESPN.com, Soccer America and numerous other publications. John is an internationally known speaker for coaches, parents and youth sports organizations, and has spoken for TEDx, the National Soccer Coaches Association of America, US Lacrosse, IMG Academy, and at numerous other events throughout the US, Canada, Asia and Europe.

When he speaks, John brings to the table a wealth of practical, hands on knowledge garnered through years of working with players and their families on sport specific development, fitness and nutrition, college recruiting, and most importantly, training high-performing athletes by creating a player-centered environment.

Originally from New York, John is a 1994 graduate of Fordham University, where he was a team captain as a senior, and a member of the 1990 Patriot League Championship team.  After a stint playing professionally for the Wilmington (NC) Hammerheads of the USL, John began his coaching career as the Varsity Boys Soccer Coach at Cardinal Gibbons HS in Raleigh, NC.  He then moved on to become the Assistant Men’s and Women’s Soccer Coach at the University of Vermont, before delving into the world of youth club soccer.  Since that time, John has worked as a Director of Coaching for Nordic Spirit SC (Vt), Ann Arbor Youth Soccer Association (MI) and from 2006-2011 as the Executive Director of Oregon Rush Soccer Club in Bend, OR.  Most recently he was the Central Oregon Regional Training Center Director for the Portland Timbers of Major League Soccer, before turning his attention full time to the Changing the Game Project in 2013.  He holds his USSF A License, NSCAA Advanced National Diploma, and US Youth Soccer National Youth Coaching License.

John received his BA from Fordham University, and his Masters from the University of Vermont. He resides in beautiful Bend, OR, with his wife, Dr Lauren O’Sullivan, and two wonderful children and aspiring young athletes: Maggie Shea, age 11, and Tiernan, age 10.