At Donais Studios, we are entering one of the most exciting times of the year: performance season.
This Friday, our artists take the stage at Coffee House. In May, RISE Children’s Choir celebrates five incredible years at our Anniversary Concert, and in June, our Donais Studios Spring Concert, Inspire, brings our community together in celebration of growth, courage, and artistry.
And with performance season often comes something else:
Butterflies.
Nerves.
BIG feelings.
If your child is feeling anxious about performing, they are not alone. This is completely normal.
Even professional performers feel nervous before stepping on stage!
Why?
Because nerves mean we care.
They mean something matters.
And nervous energy is not a bad thing—it is energy that can propel us forward.
One of the greatest gifts we can give our children is helping them understand that nerves are not a stop sign. They are often a sign of growth.
What Your Child Needs to Hear
When your child shares their nerves, resist the urge to fix or dismiss.
Instead of saying:
“Don’t be nervous.”
Try:
“It makes sense that you feel nervous. This matters to you.”
Or:
“I hear you.”
“I understand.”
“It’s okay to feel this way.”
Validation matters.
Children need to feel seen, understood, and safe before they can feel confident.
Remind Them What the Audience Is Really There For
Children often worry they will be judged.
But the truth?
The audience is there to cheer them on.
Remind them:
“Everyone in that room is excited to hear you sing.”
At Donais Studios, our performances are designed to be nurturing, encouraging, and supportive.
This is not about criticism.
It is about connection.
It is about sharing their gift.
The Goal Is Not Perfection
Your child does not need a flawless or perfect performance (I don’t even believe that’s possible, for the record).
They need a meaningful one.
A brave one.
A joyful one.
Remind them:
“Your job isn’t to be flawless. Your job is to be brave.”
And remind yourself too:
The goal is not perfection.
The goal is growth.
Performance Is a Skill
Performing is not something children are just naturally comfortable doing.
It is a skill that is learned.
And every performance helps build that skill and flex that muscle.
Confidence is built through doing.
Remind your child:
“Every time you perform, you learn something new about yourself and you grow.”
That simple truth can change how they see the stage.
Help Them Prepare
Preparation builds self-trust and self-trust builds confidence.
Support your child by creating small performance moments at home:
Perform an “at-home” mini concert in the living room for grandparents
Perform for a sibling
FaceTime a friend or family member and sing
Practice walking into the room and introducing yourself and your song title
Small steps have a big impact!
A Check-In for Parents
Your child’s performance experience can bring up your own memories of recitals, lessons, or performance.
Were those experiences positive?
Stressful?
Pressure-filled?
It is worth asking:
How are my own feelings showing up here?
Our children often absorb our energy.
Awareness matters.
If you are calm and grounded, they are more likely to feel that too – and feel safe to perform.
And I promise—performance experiences at Donais Studios are different.
We take great care in creating spaces where children feel safe, supported, and celebrated.
Every voice matters.
Every performance matters.
Every experience matters.
One Last Thing to Tell Them
Before they step on stage, keep it simple:
“Believe in yourself, because I do.”
Sometimes that is all they need to hear.
Because performance is about so much more than music.
It is about courage.
Confidence.
Resilience.
And learning they can do hard things.
And that lesson lasts far beyond the stage.
Keep singing,
xoAndrea “I believe in you” Donais