Performance Anxiety

Performance anxiety can happen to anyone, and at any stage in their career. While it can be debilitating, there are strategies that can be used to help to manage the symptoms and the MU offers guidance on both clinical and coaching approaches.

Last updated: 20 March 2025

Everyone is different, so it’s important to find out which strategies help you to manage your performance anxiety. To address this, the MU’s performance anxiety hub includes both clinical and coaching guidance about managing performance anxiety.

Clinical guidance from BAPAM

This clinical guidance produced by the British Association of Performing Arts Medicine (BAPAM) discusses what performance anxiety is, its causes and symptoms, and strategies for managing it.

Find out more about BAPAM on their website or view the MU/BAPAM clinical guidance page.

Coaching guidance from Amy Littlewood

This is a coaching style guide to managing performance anxiety by Amy Littlewood, professional violinist and performance mentor.

Find out more about her work or view Amy’s advice on our coaching guidance page.

Get advice and support on mental health and physical wellbeing

Discover a wealth of advice and resources to help musicians to look after their mental health and physical wellbeing.

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