TBMA Guide: Mastering Performance Psychology

Many students at Tampa Bay Music Academy will perform at least 2 pieces memorized in front of judges this Saturday. Here is some advice for those getting ready for this Saturday.

The Psychology of Performing for a Judge: Why Nerves Happen and How to Use Them

Performing in front of a judge is one of the most transformative experiences a young musician can have. At Tampa Bay Music Academy, we’ve guided hundreds of students through their first adjudicated performance, and one truth always stands out: nerves are normal. In fact, they’re not just normal—they’re useful.

Understanding Performance Anxiety

Performance anxiety is a natural physiological response. When a student steps onto a stage or into a judge’s room, their body releases adrenaline. This can cause shaking hands, a racing heart, or shallow breathing. Many students interpret these sensations as signs that something is wrong. In reality, the body is preparing to perform at a higher level.

The key is students must learn to work with their adrenaline rather than fight it.

Turning Nerves into Focus

Here are strategies we teach at TBMA that consistently help students channel nervous energy into confident performance:

Breathing resets the nervous system. Slow, deep breaths before playing help regulate heart rate and center the mind.
Mental rehearsal builds familiarity. Visualizing the performance space and imagining a successful performance reduces uncertainty.
Pre-performance routines create stability. A consistent warm-up or tuning ritual gives students something predictable to rely on.

Why Judges Expect Nerves

A common misconception is that judges penalize nervousness. Guess what…they don’t! Judges are trained to evaluate musicality, technique, and preparation—not whether a student looks perfectly calm. In fact, most judges have performed professionally for decades and understand exactly what students are experiencing.

When students realize that judges are allies, not adversaries, confidence grows.

Works Cited

American Psychological Association. “Anxiety and Performance.” APA Dictionary of Psychology, https://dictionary.apa.org/performance-anxiety.

Kenny, Dianna T. The Psychology of Music Performance Anxiety. Oxford University Press, 2011.

McGonigal, Kelly. The Upside of Stress. Avery, 2015.

The Psychology of Performing for a Judge