How artists can use an iPad to overcome performance anxiety

By Tom MarshallJune 3, 20257 mins read

Concert pianist Simone Dinnerstein has revealed how using technology helped save her career. Here’s how it can support artists struggling with stage fright.

Performance anxiety is something many musicians face, no matter how experienced they are. Even the most seasoned performers can find themselves overwhelmed by nerves, despite years of practice and countless shows. Whether it’s a fear of making mistakes or performing in front of people, sometimes it can be so severe that it threatens their ability to perform altogether.

How an iPad helped save a career

That was the case for renowned concert pianist Simone Dinnerstein, despite performing as a soloist and with orchestras worldwide. No matter how many hours of practice she put in, Simone struggled mainly with a particular anxiety tied to classical music’s rigid traditions: the expectation that soloists should perform entirely from memory, without sheet music.

“Performance anxiety is something that we performers often find quite shameful. What I really hope will change is that we will become more accepting of the fact that people have different learning styles and different needs, just as we’ve become aware of that in the workplace.”
Simone Dinnerstein via NPR

Simeone’s anxiety caused her to lose track of where she was in the piece. This got “worse and worse” to the point where Simone realized she might have to quit performing altogether.

Everything changed in 2017 when she began to bring an iPad on stage. She left classical music conventions behind and hasn’t looked back since. Although Simone still practices for hours and doesn’t even necessarily look at the iPad when performing, it has given her the mental space, creative freedom, and confidence to perform freely.

“I started feeling much more creative and free. Once I started having that permission to use the music, I began being much more daring. I had more time and mental space and emotional energy.”
Simone Dinnerstein via NPR

Today, Simone credits the iPad to saving her music career. She has since formed a chamber music group which she leads from the keyboard, which has been part of a new album Complicité which is available on Apple Music Classical.

Using an iPad on stage: A practical guide

Simone’s story isn’t unique. For musicians struggling with performance anxiety, using an iPad on stage can be a practical and comforting solution. Musicians often use an iPad Pro on stage as its larger screen mimics traditional sheet music, alongside a Bluetooth foot pedal to digitally turn pages hands-free. Simply knowing that your music is there can provide peace of mind, even if you barely look at it.

Personally, I have already seen this used in musical theatre. However, its discreet presence on stage makes it ideal for performers on any stage.

It may not be a conventional way of performing, but as Simone points out, that isn’t necessarily a bad thing. Simone believes that something imaginative and exciting shouldn’t come at the expense of conventions “like everybody has to wear black or white in orchestras. It doesn’t have anything to do with the music. And it’s so old fashioned.”

Whether you’re a soloist, band member, or musical director, using an iPad on stage could be the simple solution that helps you perform more freely, confidently, and creatively.

If you need more tips to help overcome performance anxiety, check out our previous blog below: