Beginning - 14 Oct 2023

Overcoming performance anxiety

Description

A six-week course for all who struggle with performance nerves. You’ll learn what performance anxiety is, why it happens, and how you can use physical and mental tools to lessen the symptoms. You’ll work on practice techniques that will help you to focus on the process of music-making. You’ll also be given a safe, encouraging and supportive forum to begin exploring performing, so that you can put the tools you are learning into practice. By the end of the course, you’ll have begun to harness the positive aspects of nerves (yes, there are some!) so that your performance is better and more enjoyable for you and your audience.

Course Duration

6 Sessions

Level

All

Class Time

5:30–6:45 pm (Irish time)

Tutor(s)

Dr Jennifer Mackerras

Price

€130.00

Saturday | 5:30–6:45 pm (Irish time)

14 Oct

Session 1

What is Performance Anxiety?

A survey of the physiological and psychological basis of performance anxiety, and how to begin calming the physiologic symptoms.

28 Oct

Session 2

Cognitive approaches

How to begin dealing with the ’twisted thinking’ that makes performance anxiety more severe.

04 Nov

Session 3

Perfectionism

There is a strong correlation between performance anxiety and perfectionism. How can we be kinder to ourselves?

11 Nov

Session 4

Practice

How improving our practice routines can improve our anxiety levels.

18 Nov

Session 5

Creating a process-oriented outlook (week 1)

Learning how a focus on process (rather than product) can alter our performance.

02 Dec

Session 6

Creating a process-oriented outlook (week 2)

A continuation of week 5, plus a course summary.

What to Expect

In this course, students will

understand the physiologic symptoms of performance anxiety
explore the relationship between the physiological and psychological elements of performance anxiety
learn basic tools to reduce the severity of anxiety symptoms
develop strategies for dealing with the cognitive distortions that exacerbate anxiety
explore perfectionism as a trigger for performance anxiety
fine-tune goal-setting and practice techniques for improved performance
learn how to give and receive feedback and evaluate performance constructively

Technical Requirements

A laptop, desktop or tablet computer; we do not recommend using a phone to participate
Speakers or headphones
Access to a printer for downloadable course materials
Access to the Zoom platform; further information to help you get set up for participating over Zoom will be sent after you have registered

Enrollment is now closed

You can no longer join this course