Why Confidence Is The Real Key To Performing — Not Perfection

When a student sits down and says, I just want to hit all the right notes, I always respond: what if we shifted the goal from right to real? Because what the audience truly remembers isn t flawless technique it s the moments you own. I ve learnt this not in the polished performances, but in the messy, honest ones where something genuine broke through. lt;/p>

We often idolise perfection imagining the performer who never misses a note, forgets a lyric, or stumbles over a line. But the truth is, the magic often happens in the moments that aren t perfect. lt;/p>

I remember being in class singing I m Breaking Down from Falsettos. It s such a demanding, emotionally charged song, full of chaos, comedy, and heartbreak. During one run, my voice cracked and the song completely unravelled but instead of stopping, I let go of the idea of perfect and threw myself into the performance. The result? Something real. The raw truth of that character came through far more clearly than when I sang it cleanly. She wouldn t be holding it all together perfectly she s literally breaking down! The vulnerability in that moment made the comedy sharper and the emotion more heartbreaking. lt;/p>

The moments that aren t perfect are often the ones that stay with us because they re real. lt;/p>

In another acting-through-song class, I worked on Whistle Down the Wind the duet between Boone and Swallow, a father and daughter trying to hold onto hope after loss. We were both so in the moment, completely believing what we were singing, that by the end we both cried. It wasn t perfect, but it was alive. That s what audiences respond to truth, not tidiness.

And on stage? I ve had voice cracks, lyric slips, and moments that felt huge at the time. But here s the thing the audience doesn t care as much as you do. If you carry on with confidence, they ll stay with you. I ve even had people tell me afterwards they thought a vocal crack was an acting choice! It s not the mistake people remember it s how you own it. lt;/i>

A casting director once said to me, It s not how perfect your note is it s how much you believe in what you re doing that connects to the audience. That really stuck with me. Confidence isn t arrogance it s trust. It s staying grounded and present, even when things don t go as planned. When you perform with belief and confidence, your audience doesn t just hear you they feel you. lt;/p>

In my teaching, that s exactly what I try to nurture. Yes, we work on technique, but we also focus on presence helping students build confidence through honesty, trust, and expression. When you stop chasing perfection and start performing with belief, you grow not just as a performer, but as a person. Performing isn t about perfection& it s about confidence, connection, and courage. When you step into your spotlight and trust yourself, you don t just perform you own your story. And that s what makes it unforgettable. lt;/p>

& & Ready to Own Your Spotlight? & lt;/p>

If this resonates with you and you d like to explore building your confidence as a performer, I d love to help. My online performing arts sessions are supportive, creative, and fully tailored to you wherever you are in your journey.lt;/p>lt;/p>