RESOURCES

Jazz pianist and composer, Gwilym Simcock gives a riveting and honest interview in which he reveals difficult experiences of performance nerves he’s had both as a child and as a professional.

Soprano Anna Devin had to think quite carefully about whether she really wanted to pursue a career as an opera singer because of being dyslexic...

Jazz saxophonist and composer, Iain Ballamy, talks about improvisation and the difference between playing improvised music and through-composed music.

Violinist from the Simon Bolivar Symphony Orchestra of Venezuala, Alexander Jones-Madrid talks about his musical education in El Sistema.

British counter-tenor Iestyn Davies, discusses how a good technique is essential for singers to manage all the demands of an international professional life.

Amateur pianist, Sara Solovitch, spent a year in her late 50’s exploring her childhood fear of performing in public. She explains how she explored her performance anxiety from lots of different angles...

Scottish pianist Steven Osborne questions how it is that he can love performing but get very nervous at the same time.

Matthew Wilkie discusses the challenges of being Principal Bassoonist of the Sydney Symphony Orchestra and the Chamber Orchestra of Europe.

Indian classical violinist, Jyotsna Srikanth shares her thoughts about the differences between Western and Indian classical violin playing.

Australian cellist, Howard Penny gives some intriguing insights into the differences he sees between European orchestras and the Anglo (British, Australian and American) orchestral world.

Recorded when she was 95, Kato Havas, the Hungarian violin teacher talks in an audio interview about how her internationally renowned ‘New Approach to Violin Playing’ was inspired by the freedom of the Hungarian Gypsy violinists.

Mexican conductor, Alondra de la Parra talks about how differently she experiences nerves depending on whether she is rehearsing or giving a concert.

For Jeff Lang, Associate Principal Horn of the Philadelphia Orchestra, it’s the support of colleagues and the conductor, that makes all the difference in terms of performance stress.

Folk musician, Peggy Seeger tells me how she used to have nerves when playing classical music but not folk music.

As viola player in the Maggini quartet and working with musicians he’s known for over 30 years, Martin has a unique take on what it means to collaborate as a small, committed chamber ensemble.

Nicole Wilson, from Musical Orbit, interviews me this time, as pianist, performance coach and creator-host of the Beyond Stage Fright interview series.

Sean Gregory has some very pertinent questions about the professional life of a musician.

Kathryn Tickell talks about the importance of connecting with the audience as a folk musician, and how that can lessen any performance anxiety.

World-renowned cellist, Steven Isserlis, gives an insightful and particularly candid interview sharing how stressful he finds performing

The Canadian violinist James Ehnes talks about how he learns repertoire, the pacing and balance of professional life

The world-renowned solo percussionist, Evelyn Glennie has been profoundly deaf from the age of 12.

Tasmin Little, the well-known British violinist loves performing. She talks about her approach to practising, how she manages extremely difficult pieces and the particular demands of all the different types of concerts she does...

As the Head of Strings at the Birmingham Conservatoire, Louise Lansdown is very concerned with the unspoken hierarchy that can come about amongst students when they first arrive at college, dependent on their background, standard and levels of confidence. She shows how, as a conservatoire, they aim to help the students redress the balance.

Formerly National Organiser for Education and Training at the Musician’s Union, Diane Widdison talks about how the MU along with British Association for Performing Arts Medicine (BAPAM) and Help Musicians, aim to support musicians...

Speaking here as principal cellist of the Royal Northern Sinfonia (currently principal cello of the Oslo Philharmonic orchestra) Louisa Tuck talks about the stresses and challenges of a principal's job...

Elise Båtnes talks about what it’s like being the leader of the Oslo Philharmonic orchestra, her role as the voice of the players, conductor, soloists and management...

James Rhodes talks about the different ways he keeps performance nerves at bay and the impact memorising has on them.

Having been an experienced principal clarinetist in a number of major London orchestras, Michael Whight speaks openly about how he manages the stress and challenges of the job, how he feels people manage nerves in orchestras...

As one of the most experienced, respected and valued singing teachers around at the moment, Australian Janice Chapman talks about how she helps prepare singers for a successful operatic career.

David Krakauer is funny and characterful. He talks about how playing different styles of music impact his nerves differently.

The American electric violinist Tracy Silverman, is fascinating in his thoughts about the classical music world

Claire Jones talks about how having a packed international schedule of concerts and publicity that came as a result of being harpist to Prince of Wales, may well have led to her getting Chronic Fatigue (ME).

American cellist, Zuill Bailey shows how being an international soloist is far from glamourous and tells extraordinary tales of traveling that made me tired just listening to them.

What struck me about Maya Beiser is her fearlessness. She tells me she was a fragile, vulnerable child and she used to hide herself behind her cello, where she felt safe.

Martin Owen discusses the challenges and pressures faced by being a principal horn player in a major orchestra, possibly one of the most demanding and exposed orchestral roles to have, and how to get back on track when things go wrong.

The Australian classical saxophonist, oozes calm and talks about the different techniques she uses to prepare herself for being calm and focused on stage.

Tenor Oli Griffiths is a member of The Swingle Singers and he describes performing with a group of singers, how the group get on with each other both on and off stage...

The British pianist Martin Roscoe speaks very candidly about his experiences with panic attacks and agoraphobia...

The British educator, writer and composer Paul Harris talks about how performance stress can start young. He shares his views on talent and the pressures that can bring...

The world-renowned violinist Hilary Hahn talks openly and candidly about how she built her performing experience from a young child and how she prepares for a performance.

The well known and well-respected British pianist, John Lill, talks about how important it is to be mentally and physically fit to give concerts on a regular basis.

The baritone Roderick Williams talks about how he manages the stresses and strains of international traveling and being away from home.