When giving a performance, how you look and act is often as important as how you play. Projecting an image of confidence will leave an audience with a better impression of your abilities as a flutist. Here are some tips to establish a good stage presence.

♪ Dress appropriately. Dressing nicely will show an audience that you take your performance (and yourself seriously). Inappropriate clothing can cause the audience to think about your clothing instead of your music.

♪ Smile! An audience wants to know that you are having a good time.

♪ Make eye contact. Look at the audience before and after you play. It will show that you are confident.

♪ Do not make faces or roll your eyes. Mistakes will happen in a performance, but they are almost more
obvious to you than to your audience. Rolling your eyes will draw attention to your mistakes instead of your achievements.

♪ Bow at the end. It is important to acknowledge your applause with a smile and a bow. Bow for longer than you think you should. Many performers bow too quickly.

♪ Have fun! A performance is a time to be proud of your hard work and to enjoy sharing your accomplishments with the people who love you. Be proud of all that you have accomplished and the joy that your music brings to others.