Selected Studies on Music Performance Anxiety

Allen, R. (2011). Free improvisation and performance anxiety among piano students. Psychology of Music 41(1), 75-88. https://doi.org/10.1177/0305735611415750
Barros, S., Marinho, H., Borges, N., & Pereira, A. (2022). Characteristics of music performance anxiety among undergraduate music students: A systematic review. Psychology of Music, 50(6), 2021-2043. https://doi-org/10.1177/03057356211066967
Biasutti, M., & Concina, E. (2014). The role of coping strategy and experience in predicting music performance anxiety. Musicae Scientiae, 18(2), 189–202. https://doi.org/10.1177/1029864914523282
Boucher, H., & Ryan, C. A. (2011). Performance stress and the very young musician. Journal of Research in Music Education, 58(4), 329–345. https://doi.org/10.1177/0022429410386965
Braden, A. M., Osborne, M.S. & Wilson, S.J. (2015). Psychological intervention reduces self- reported performance anxiety in high school music students. Frontiers in Psychology, 6, 1-9. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2015.00195
Brodsky W. (1996). Music performance anxiety reconceptualized: A critique of current research practices and findings. Medical Problems of Performing Artists, 11(3), 88–98.
Brotons, M. (1994). Effects of Performing Conditions on Music Performance Anxiety and Performance Quality. Journal of Music Therapy, 31, 63-81.
Brooker, E. (2018). Music performance anxiety: A clinical outcome study into the effects of cognitive hypnotherapy and eye movement desensitisation and reprocessing in advanced pianists. Psychology of Music, 46(1), 107-124. https://doi-org/10.1177/0305735617703473
Burin, A. B., & Osorio, F. L. (2017). Music performance anxiety: A critical review of etiological aspects, perceived causes, coping strategies and treatment. Archives of Clinical Psychiatry, 44(5), 127–133.
Casanova, O., Zarza, F. J., & Orejudo, S. (2018). Differences in performance anxiety levels among advanced conservatory students in Spain, according to type of instrument and academic year of enrolment. Music Education Research, 20(3), 377–389. https://doi.org/10.1080/14613808.2018.1433145
Cohen, S. & Bodner, E. (2019). Music performance skills: A two-pronged approach – facilitating optimal music performance and reducing music performance anxiety. Psychology of Music 47(4), 521-538. https://doi.org/10.1177/0305735618765349
Cox, W. J., & Kenardy, J. (1993). Performance anxiety, social phobia, and setting effects in instrumental music students. Journal of Anxiety Disorders, 7(1), 49–60.
Coşkun-Şentürk, G., & Çırakoğlu, O. C. (2018). How guilt/shame proneness and coping styles are related to music performance anxiety and stress symptoms by gender. Psychology of Music, 46(5), 682-698. https://doi.org/10.1177/0305735617721338
Cupido, C. (2018). Music Performance Anxiety, Perfectionism and Its Manifestation in the Lived Experiences of Singer-Teachers. Muziki, 15(1), 14-36. http://doi.org/10.1080/18125980.2018.1467367
Dempsey, E., Comeau, G. (2019). Music performance anxiety and self-efficacy in young musicians: Effects of gender and age. Music Performance Research, 9, 60-79. https://musicperformanceresearch.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/MPR-0121-Dempsey-and-Comeau-60-79.pdf
Diaz, F. M. (2018). Relationships among meditation, perfectionism, mindfulness, and performance anxiety among collegiate music students. Journal of Research in Music Education, 66, 150–167. https://doi.org/10.1177/0022429418765447
Dobos, B., Piko, B.F., & Kenny, D.T. (2019). Music performance anxiety and its relationship with social phobia and dimensions of perfectionism. Research Studies in Music Education, 41(3), 310-326. https://doi.org/10.1177/1321103X18804295
Fehm, L. & Schmidt, K. (2006). Performance anxiety in gifted adolescent musicians. Journal of Anxiety Disorders, 20, 98-109. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.janxdis.2004.11.011
Fernholz, I., Mumm, J. L. M., Plag, J., Noeres, K., Rotter, G., Willich, S. N., Ströhle, A., Berghöfer, A., & Schmidt, A. (2019). Performance anxiety in professional musicians: A systematic review on prevalence, risk factors and clinical treatment effects. Psychological Medicine, 49(14), 2287–2306. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0033291719001910
Fishbein, M., Middlestadt, S. E., Ottati, V., Straus, S., & Ellis, A. (1988). Medical problems among ICSOM musicians: Overview of a national survey. Medical Problems of Performing Artists, 3 (1), 1-8. https://www.jstor.org/stable/45440642
Hamann D. L., Sobaje M. (1983). Anxiety and the college musician: A study of performance conditions and subject variables. Psychology of Music, 11(1), 37–50. https://doi-org/10.1177/0305735683111005
Jeong, S. S. E., & Ryan, C. A. (2021). A critical review of child perfectionism as it relates to music pedagogy. Psychology of Music, 50(4), 1312–1327. https://doi.org/10.1177/03057356211042080
Juncos, D.G. & Markman, E. (2016). Acceptance and commitment therapy for the treatment of music performance anxiety: A single subject design with a university student. Psychology of Music, 43(1), 1-18. https://doi.org/10.1177/0305735615596236
Kalenska-Rodzaj, J. (2020). Pre-performance emotions and music performance anxiety beliefs in young musicians. Research Studies in music Education, 42(1), 77-93. https://doi.org/10.1177/1321103X19830098
Kenny, D.T. (2009). The factor structure of the revised Kenny Music Performance Anxiety Inventory. Paper presented at the International Symposium on Performance Science., Aukland, New Zealand. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/223995005_The_factor_structure_of_the_revised_Kenny_Music_Performance_Anxiety_Inventory
Kenny, D. T., Fortune, J. M., & Ackermann, B. (2013). Predictors of music performance anxiety during skilled performance in tertiary flute players. Psychology of Music, 41(3), 306-328. https://doi.org/10.1177/0305735611425904
Kenny, D.T. (2023). The Kenny music performance anxiety inventory (K-MPAI): Scale construction, cross-cultural validation, theoretical underpinnings, and diagnostic and therapeutic utility. Frontiers in Psychology, 14. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1143359
Kenny D. T., Ackermann B. (2015). Performance-related musculoskeletal pain, depression and music performance anxiety in professional orchestral musicians: A population study. Psychology of Music, 43(1), 43–60. https://doi-org/10.1177/0305735613493953
Kobori O., Yoshie M., Kudo K., Ohtsuki T. (2011). Traits and cognitions of perfectionism and their relation with coping style, effort, achievement, and performance anxiety in Japanese musicians. Journal of Anxiety Disorders, 25(5), 674–679. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.janxdis.2011.03.001
LeBlanc, A., Jin, Y. C., Obert, M., & Siivola, C. (1997). Effect of audience on music performance anxiety. Journal of Research in Music Education, 45(3), 480–496. https://doi.org/10.2307/3345541
Lin, P., Chang, J., Zemon, V., & Midlarsky, E. (2008). Silent illumination: a study on Chan (Zen) meditation, anxiety, and musical performance quality. Psychology of Music, 36(2), 139-155. https://doi.org/10.1177/0305735607080840
Lorenz, S. R. (2002). Performance anxiety within the secondary choral classroom: Effects of the Alexander technique on tension in performance [Unpublished doctoral dissertation]. Michigan State University.
MacAfee, E. & Comeau, G. (2020). Exploring music performance anxiety, self-efficacy, performance quality, and behavioural anxiety within a self-modeling intervention for young musicians. Music Education Research, 22(4), 457-477. https://doi.org/10.1080/14613808.2020.1781074
Maroon, M. T. (2002). Potential contributors to performance anxiety among middle school students performing at solo and ensemble contest [Unpublished doctoral dissertation]. Kent State University.
Martin-Gagnon G., Creech A. (2019). Cool jazz: Music performance anxiety in jazz performance students. Music Education Research, 21(4), 414–425. https://doi-org/10.1080/14613808.2019.1605346
Mor S., Day H. I., Flett G. L., Hewitt P. L. (1995). Perfectionism, control, and components of performance anxiety in professional artists. Cognitive Therapy and Research, 19(2), 207–225. https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02229695
Nicholson, D. R., Docy, M.W. & Beck, J.G. (2015). Anxiety in musicians: On and off stage. Psychology of Music, 43(3), 438-449. https://doi.org/10.1177/0305735614540018
Nielsen, C., Studer, R. K., Hildebrandt, H., Nater, U. M., Wild, P., Danuser, B., & Gomez, P. (2018). The relationship between music performance anxiety, subjective performance quality and post-event rumination among music students. Psychology of Music, 46(1), 136–152. https://doi.org/10.1177/0305735617706539
Oh S., Yu E., Lee H., Yoon D. (2020). Reliability and validity of the Korean version of the Kenny Music Performance Anxiety Inventory. Journal of Korean Neuropsychiatric Association, 59(3), 250–259. https://doi-org/10.4306/jknpa.2020.59.3.250
Orejudo S., Zarza F. J., Casanova Ó. (2018). Music performance anxiety. Substance use and career abandonment in Spanish music students. International Journal of Music Education, 36(3), 460–472. https://doi-org/10.1177/0255761418763903
Orejudo, S., Zarza-Alzugaray, F. J., Casanova, O., Rodríguez-Ledo, C., & Mazas, B. (2017). The relation of music performance anxiety (MPA) to optimism, self-efficacy, and sensitivity to reward and punishment: Testing Barlow’s theory of personal vulnerability on a sample of Spanish music students. Psychology of Music, 45(4), 570–83. https://doi.org/10.1177/0305735616674791
Osborne, M. S., & Kenny, D. T. (2005). Development and validation of a music performance anxiety inventory for gifted adolescent musicians. Journal of Anxiety Disorders, 19, 725–751. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.janxdis.2004.09.002
Osborne, M. S., & Kenny, D. T. (2008). The role of sensitizing experiences in music performance anxiety in adolescent musicians. Psychology of Music, 36(4), 447–462. https://doi.org/10.1177/0305735607086051
Osborne, M. S., Kenny, D. T. & Holsomback, R. (2005). Assessment of music performance anxiety in late childhood: A validation study of the music performance anxiety inventory for adolescents (MPAI-A). International Journal of Stress Management, 12, 312-330. https://doi.org/10.1037/1072-5245.12.4.312
Osborne, M. S., Kenny, D. T., & Cooksey, J. (2007). Impact of a cognitive-behavioural treatment program on music performance anxiety in secondary school music students: A pilot study. Musicae Scientiae, 11(2_suppl),
Papageorgi, I. (2006). Understanding performance anxiety in the adolescent musician: Approaches to instrumental learning and performance [Conference session]. In M. Baroni, A. H. Addessi, & M. Costa (Eds.), Proceedings from the 9th International Conference on Music Perception and Cognition, Bologna, Italy. Universita di Bologna.
Papageorgi, I. (2022). Prevalence and predictors of music performance anxiety in adolescent learners: Contributions of individual, task-related and environmental factors. Musicae Scientiae, 26(1), 101-122. https://doi.org/10.1177/1029864920923128
Patston, T. (2014). Teaching stage fright? – Implications for music educators. British Journal of Music Education, 31(1), 85-98. https://doi.org//10.1017/S0265051713000144
Patston T., Osborne M. S. (2016). The developmental features of music performance anxiety and perfectionism in school age music students. Performance Enhancement & Health, 4(1–2), 42–49. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.peh.2015.09.003
Philippe R. A., Kosirnik C., Klumb P. L., Guyon A., Gomez P., Crettaz von Roten F. (2021). The Kenny Music Performance Anxiety Inventory–Revised (K-MPAI-R): Validation of the French version. Psychology of Music, 50(2), 389–402. https://doi-org/10.1177/03057356211002642
Rae, G. & McCambridge, K. (2004). Correlates of performance anxiety in practical music exams. Psychology of Music, 32, 432-439. https://doi.org/10.1177/0305735604046100
Robson, K. E., & Kenny, D. T. (2017). Music performance anxiety in ensemble rehearsals and concerts: A comparison of music and non-music major undergraduate musicians. Psychology of Music, 45(6), 868–885. https://doi.org/10.1177/0305735617693472
Rocha S., de Fi Dias-Neto, E., Gattaz W. F. (2011). Music performance anxiety: translation, adaptation and validation of the Kenny Music Performance Anxiety Inventory (K-MPAI) to the Portuguese language. Archives of Clinical Psychiatry, 38(6), 217–221. https://doi.org/10.1590/S0101-60832011000600001
Rothlisberger, D. J. (1992). Effects of video modeling preparation on student instrumental audition performance achievement and performance anxiety [Unpublished doctoral dissertation]. University of Maryland College Park.
Ryan, C. (1998). Exploring musical performance anxiety in children. Medical Problem of Performing Artists, 13 (3), 83-88. https://www.jstor.org/stable/45440763
Ryan, C. (1999). Musical performance anxiety: Are junior high band students affected? Opus 41 (1), 8-9.
Ryan, C. (2004). Gender differences in children’s experience of musical performance anxiety. Psychology of Music, 32, 89-103. https://doi.org/10.1170305735604039284
Ryan, C. (2005). Experience of Musical Performance Anxiety in Elementary School Children. International Journal of Stress Management 12, 331-342. https://doi.org/10.1037/1072- 5245.12.4.331
Ryan, C. (2021). Performance anxiety in young contemporary musicians. Journal of Popular Music Education, 5(3), 313-335. http://doi.org/ 10.1386/jpme_00064_1
Ryan, C. & Andrews, N. (2009). An investigation into the choral singer’s experience of music performance anxiety. Journal of Research in Music Education, 57, 108-126. https://doi.org/10.1177/0022429409336132
Ryan, C. & Andrews, N. (2021). High school band musicians: Performance anxiety and post-secondary plans. Journal of Band Research, 57(1), 54-71.
Ryan, C., Boucher, H., & Ryan, G. (2021). Performance preparation, anxiety, and the teacher. Experiences of adolescent pianists. Revue Musicale OICRM 8(1), 38-62. https://doi.org/10.7202/1079790ar
Ryan, C., Boucher, H., & Ryan, G. (2022). Children’s Feelings About Piano Performances Across a Year of Study. International Journal of Music Education. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1177/02557614211066342
Ryan, C. Boucher, H., & Ryan, G. (2023). Practice, Performance, and Anxiety: A Pilot Study on Student Perception of Parental Involvement and Musical Training. Music and Science. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1177/20592043221145000
Ryan, C., Tsang, J. & Dumlavwalla, D. (2022, July 17-22). Inside the Piano Studio: What Teachers Say About Performance Training, Perfectionism, and Performance Anxiety [Conference Presentation]. International Society for Music Education World Conference 2022, Virtual.
Sadler, M. E., & Miller, C. J. (2010). Performance Anxiety: A Longitudinal Study of the Roles of Personality and Experience in Musicians. Social Psychological and Personality Science, 1(3), 280-287. https://doi.org/10.1177/1948550610370492
Salmon P. G. (1990). A psychological perspective on musical performance anxiety: A review of the literature. Medical Problems of Performing Artists, 5(1), 1–11.
Sarbescu, P. & Dorgo, M. (2014). Frightened by the stage or by the public? Exploring the multidimensionality of music performance anxiety. Psychology of Music 42(4), 568-579. https://doi.org/10.1177/0305735613483669
Sims, W. & Ryan, C. (2023). Relationships Between Music Performance Anxiety and Imposter Phenomenon Responses of Graduate Music Performance Students. Psychology of Music. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1177/03057356231209264
Sinden, L. M. (1999). Music performance anxiety: Contributions of perfectionism, coping style, self-efficacy, and self-esteem [Unpublished doctoral dissertation]. Arizona State University.
Spahn, C., Walther, J.-C., & Nusseck, M. (2016). The effectiveness of a multimodal concept of audition training for music students in coping with music performance anxiety. Psychology of Music, 44(4), 893-909. https://doi.org/10.1177/0305735615597484
Tobacyk, J. J., & Downs, A. (1986). Personal construct threat and irrational beliefs as cognitive predictors of increases in musical performance anxiety. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 51(4), 779–782. https://doi-org/10.1037/0022-3514.51.4.779
van Kemenade, J. F. L. M., van Son, M. J. M., & van Heesch, N. C. A. (1995). Performance anxiety among professional musicians in symphonic orchestras: a self-report study. Psychological Reports, 77, 555-562. https://doi.org/10.2466/pr0.1995.77.2.555
Wardle, A. (1974). Behavior modification by reciprocal inhibition of instrumental music performance anxiety. Journal of Band Research, 11(1), 18-26.
Wesner, R. B., Noyes, R., Jr., & Davis, T. L. (1990). The occurrence of performance anxiety among musicians. Journal of Affective Disorders, 18, 177-185. https://doi.org/10.1016/0165-0327(90)90034-6
Wiedemann, A., Vogel, D., Voss, C., & Hoyer, J. (2022). How does music performance anxiety relate to other anxiety disorders? Psychology of Music, 50(1), 204-217. https://doi.org/10.1177/0305735620988600
Wolfe, M. L. (1990). Coping with musical performance anxiety: Problem-focused and emotion-focused strategies. Medical Problems of Performing Artists, 5(1), 33–36.
Zarza-Alzugaray, F.J., Orejudo, S., Casanova, O. & Aparicio-Moreno, L. (2018). Psychology of Music 46(1), 18-32. https://doi.org/10.1177/0305735617691592

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