Enhancing performance: An exploratory study of performance coaching in practice in a UK conservatoire

A performance coach working in a UK conservatoire and seven of her pianist clients were interviewed to understand how psychological skills training for conservatoire students works in practice. This coach uses a performance enhancement approach, which includes mental skills training techniques and strategies largely researched in sports psychology, to help already capable student musicians realize their performance potential. The coaching is tailored to the client’s individual needs. Factors crucial to the success of performance coaching in this setting seem to be a belief that the training will work, mental skills practice, and solid musical preparation. Performance coaching provided a practical solution for clients with a variety of performance concerns, which seemed to develop in transition to specialist higher music education. Implications of the findings and directions for future research are discussed.