Music Performance Anxiety, Perfectionism and Its Manifestation in the Lived Experiences of Singer-Teachers

Abstract

Music performance anxiety (MPA) is not unusual among musicians. It is argued that singer-teachers who teach at tertiary institutions experience MPA because of the nature of their work and working environment, and this is exacerbated by striving for perfection which is often associated with this group of performing pedagogues. The purpose of the current study is to understand the manifestation of MPA and perfectionism in the lived experiences of a group of singer-teachers. The author deployed transcendental phenomenology in order to understand this phenomenon. The research of Frost et al. (1990), Sandgren (2002) and Kenny (2011) serves as a structural framework for this article. Singer-teachers place severe pressure on themselves because of their profession. The self-induced pressure because of the pursuit of tenure and concerns over their voices and success are the main triggers of MPA. Perfectionism manifests as a result of personal standards that they apply in their teaching, as well as expectations and criticism from colleagues and concern about making mistakes in front of their students and colleagues. MPA is also exacerbated by self-doubt and singer-teachers’ desire for approval, reassurance, and acceptance from colleagues and students.