Center Stage Secrets: Performance Tips for Any Stage!
As our Spring Rock the Stage Gig (June 22, 2025) and Recital (June 29, 2025) approach, we wanted to share some quick tips from our top performance artists—your instructors!
They’ve been on stage, in the spotlight, and know exactly what it takes to perform with confidence and take center stage.
💡 Check out their advice below—and remember to breathe. You've worked hard, you're ready, and you're going to shine!
Make sure to scroll to the bottom of the page to download our performance checklist. When you're nervous or excited (or both!), it's easy to forget something important. Make sure you’ve got everything you need before heading to the venue!
"Don't practice it, perform it!" - Ms. Shannon Frank
"Be prepared. Some nerves are good - as long as you know your stuff, your nervousness will only propel forward you and not hold you back." - Ms. Kristin Ventricelli
"Eat a banana before performing." - Mr. Ben Berkowitz
"You have nothing to be nervous about if you are prepared!" - Mr. Ryan Keyes
"Trust yourself. You know what you're doing!" - Ms. Gwyn Fernandes
"Breathe. Put on a show!" - Ms. Karina Aristy
"1. Use the stage: take the mic off the stand, move around. Plan a few simple big movements for the focal points of your performance. When starting focus on opening and closing with big movement. 2. Dynamics: know when to pull back and sing with soft vulnerability and character. Flirt with your voice. As the song progresses, grow the song to the point of belting. Know the song: make sure you know the song inside and out so you can focus in all of the above." - Ms. Chantel Rapacciuolo
"People attend a performance because they want to see you succeed. The audience is on your side!" - Ms. Courtney Conkling
"Get to bed early the night before your performance. Take a deep breath and start slightly under tempo because we tend to rush when we are nervous." - Ms. Veronica Barker
"1: Practicing in front of a mirror has helped me improve my stage presence. It might feel weird sometimes to perform for no one. But if you can perform for yourself, you can perform in front of anyone! 2: Another important thing is to know your music like the back of your hand! I had a teacher once tell me: 'Don’t practice till you get it right, practice till you can’t get it wrong!' That adage has really pushed me to better myself and really be in touch with the music I perform!" - Mr. Sammy Karp
"Practice!" - Mr. Chris Savarino
"There is no such thing as being over-prepared!" - Mr. Julian Hernandez
"Performing is supposed to be fun and lighthearted! Try your best to calm your nerves with deep breathing. Let your body feel the music and everything will flow naturally!" - Ms. Kelly Williams-Carter
"Be in tune! Tune your instrument before you play." - Mr. Al DiBisceglie
"Use a performance checklist to make sure you have everything you need." - Mrs. Veronica McCormick
Download and print your performance checklist here!
Good luck and break a leg! Click here for more performance tips to keep in mind. And for our experienced performers, comment below your top tips for our novices!
This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.
Leave a Reply