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.
Learn MoreSorry, this is an archived short course...
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.
Tuesday 18th August 2026
3:00 PM - 5:00 PM
Tuesday 25th August 2026
3:00 PM - 5:00 PM
Tuesday 1st September 2026
3:00 PM - 5:00 PM
Tuesday 8th September 2026
3:00 PM - 5:00 PM
Tuesday 15th September 2026
3:00 PM - 5:00 PM
Tuesday 22nd September 2026
3:00 PM - 5:00 PM
(London Time)
Musical Theatre Vocal Pedagogy Certificate
Kevin Wilson
Join Kevin Wilson for this six-part certificated course, offering an in‑depth, practical exploration of contemporary voice teaching for musical theatre. Across six focused classes, participants develop a systematic approach to vocal technique, diagnosis, and repertoire selection that reflects the stylistic, physical, and emotional demands of the genre. The curriculum integrates vocal science, embodied voice work, registration theory, and stylistic awareness across the five major sub‑genres of musical theatre.
Thursday 10th September 2026
5:00 PM - 7:00 PM
(London Time)
Dalcroze Eurhythmics in the Voice Studio
Dr Tish Oney
The Dalcroze Method taught by Swiss music teacher Émile Jaques-Dalcroze (1865-1950) has long been valued as a tool for teaching music in group settings (ensembles, choirs, music classes, etc.) But what about its one-on-one use in the applied voice studio? Join Dr. Tish Oney for this interactive short course and learn about the history and principles of this important method of music education. Through the employ of Dalcroze movements and concepts, singers and teachers explore music in ways that can reduce tension and increase the fun of music making, while encouraging discovery of technical and theoretical skill-building practices.
Tuesday 15th September 2026
10:00 AM - 12:00 PM
(London Time)
Games & Gadgets: Building Vocal Skills Through Movement & Play!
Naomi Lewandoski
How can simple tools such as exercise balls, bubbles, stretchy bands, straws, ribbons and even toilet rolls transform the way singers learn? Naomi Lewandoski is a singing teacher, voice educator, performer and workshop presenter with a passion for helping singers explore the voice through movement, curiosity and evidence-informed practice. In this interactive course she explores how games, gadgets, movement and play can help build vocal skills by creating greater awareness of how the body coordinates for singing.