It’s not a virus! Reconceptualizing and De-pathologizing Music Performance Anxiety
Thursday 19th February 2026, 8:30 AM - 10:30 AM (London Time)
Performance Anxiety is one of the most widespread and debilitating challenges facing musicians across all ages, nationalities and musical genres. It affects musicians both on and off the stage, impacting performance quality and enjoyment, health and wellbeing, relationships, identity and self-worth. At its most severe, performance anxiety can threaten, or even end, studies and careers. Despite decades of research and the development of numerous interventions, we do not yet have an established way of supporting performers experiencing performance anxiety.
Aimed at performers, teachers, researchers and students, this presentation will first summarise the current state of play in performance anxiety research, through discussing key issues including performance anxiety’s definition, assessment, impact and management. We will then explore alternative ways to think about performance anxiety, drawing on new research outside of performance psychology, my recent autoethnographic study exploring the intersection between my mindfulness and performance practices, and the much-loved children’s classic ‘We’re Going on a Bear Hunt’.
Lastly, we will discuss the theoretical and practical implications of de-pathologising and reconceptualising performance anxiety including strategies to support performers in the practice room and on stage. This session will provide insight into practical approaches for musicians experiencing performance anxiety based on empirical research.
🏷️ Price £30 (UK VAT inclusive)
🎥 Recording automatically sent to all who book (even if you cannot attend live)
▶️ Rewatch as many times as you like
📜 Certificate of attendance available
Rebecca Herman
After training as a cellist at the Royal Academy of Music, Rebecca Herman performed all over the world with ensembles including the Philharmonia, BBC Symphony Orchestra, the Academy of St Martin in the Fields, Britten Sinfonia, the Irish Chamber Orchestra, Aurora Orchestra, London Sinfonietta, and English National Opera. In 2017, Rebecca stopped performing due to debilitating stage fright and went back into education to find answers. After completing an MSc in Performance Science in 2018, Rebecca won an LAHP award to pursue doctoral research at the RCM’s Centre for Performance Science.
Attend this course for as little as £22 as part of the Voice Professional Training CPD Award Scheme.
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We have plenty of upcoming short courses coming soon. See details of some of them below or look at the full list of short courses.
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Vocal production, or the process of recording a voice, is a multifaceted practice requiring a diverse set of skills. It has traditionally been considered the role of the producer in a recording studio, and vocalists can often feel intimidated by learning complex technical skills or prohibited by the cost of recording equipment. This course is aimed at voice coaches and vocalists who want to learn to record and shape their vocal tracks, as well as how to teach these skills to voice students. No matter your technical experience or setup, you can record great-sounding vocals!
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1:00 PM - 2:30 PM
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