*Cultivate a sense of pride and achievement in your performance
*Learn to maintain focus and deal with mistakes
*Discover the science behind anxiety mechanisms and what we can do about them
*Access simple and practical tips on what to do before, during and after your performance
*Find joy in playing for others

Are you used to overcoming obstacles in life but feel puzzled when it comes to musical performance anxiety? Perhaps you are already comfortable speaking and presenting in public, yet unable to play or sing confidently in front of people. Or, despite your love of music, you are simply terrified of being in the spotlight.

If you would like to build confidence to perform for others and find a sense of freedom and self-expression in your music-making, this online course could be for you. During five hour-long weekly interactive sessions, we will discover a series of theoretical concepts and practical tasks that will provide you with a clear roadmap to prepare for a performance. We will explore the physiology of the anxiety mechanism and the “tool shed” concept of approaches in depth (including movement, breath and focus), introduce cognitive rehearsal strategies and investigate links between anxiety and nutrition. The course is open to musicians of all levels of ability and experience.

Dates: Thursday evenings / Saturday mornings available.

Access: Tuition will take place online via Zoom.

Fees: early bird discount extended until 30 October - £60, after 30 October - £75

About the instructor: Dr Xenia Pestova Bennett is an internationally active concert pianist and lecturer in musical performance at the University of Nottingham. She combines her research and experience in performance anxiety with extensive accredited training as a yoga, breathwork and meditation instructor. In addition to performing and teaching, Xenia offers coaching on anxiety management to individuals and organisations. Her past and present clients include Ad Agio Workshops for Musicians, Facebook London, Moving on Music, Sound and Music, Queen’s University Belfast and the University of Nottingham.