Exchange Talk: Psychophysiology, Performance Anxiety, and the Conservatoire Musician

Claire Ruckert-Fagan – Psychophysiology, Performance Anxiety, and the Conservatoire Musician

Performance anxiety is prevalent among conservatoire musicians, yet accessible and evidence-based strategies for its management are often lacking. This talk explores some considerations and challenges in researching performance anxiety among conservatoire music students, set against the alarming prevalence of mental health concerns within the music profession. It is proposed that further education and training in psychophysiology may be a means to address this issue.

Drawing on five years of interdisciplinary PhD research at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, this talk will share findings from data collected at the RCS with students on the Bachelor of Music programme. It will conclude with practical recommendations for supporting students as they embark on careers in a field marked by unique and demanding occupational pressures.

Bio:
Claire is an interdisciplinary doctoral researcher based at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland (RCS) and the University of St Andrews, where she researches interventions to manage performance anxiety in conservatoire musicians. Her research interests include performing arts health and wellbeing, psychophysiology, the impact of parenthood on musicianship, and attitudes towards body weight in the music industry. She is a co-founder of the Flourish network, an initiative aiming to make performance science literature more accessible to musicians.