Abstract:

The issue of performance anxiety has been extensively studied in relation to both instrumental and vocal musicians; however, it has received little attention in regards to dancers and almost no consideration for Indian Classical Dance forms including Kathak. Therefore, this paper will address this knowledge gap by utilizing a combination of two methodologies: A Systematic Synthesis of Quantitative & Qualitative Literature Relating to Music and Dance Performance Anxiety (with a focus on a Case Study of Six Students studying Kathak at a University Department). The synthesis of the literature reviewed studies involving over 1000 musicians/dancers who participated in various performance anxiety studies. The studies examined included extraction of the prevalence rate of performance anxiety among the participant population, as well as predictors of performance anxiety, and measures used to assess performance anxiety. Data collected from the case study involved ratings scales and short written reflections regarding how the student participants experience/physically embody their performance anxiety while participating in examination/performance contexts. Results indicated that all participants expressed a primary source of anxiety related to either their breathing or posture. All participants viewed their guru's feedback as consistent in its ability to provide stability and/or reassurance, whereas views regarding how participants perceived Institutional Exams versus Guru-Judged Performances were equally divided. Participants most commonly utilised Breath Regulation and Prayer as their means to cope with anxiety. Findings were interpreted using a conceptual framework combining Kenny's Biopsychosocial Model of Performance Anxiety with Embodiment Theory. In addition, the authors outline potential avenues for future research based upon larger-scale study designs.

Keywords:

Kathak, performance anxiety, embodiment, dance education, higher education, guru-shishya parampara, mixed methods.

Aim/Objectives

Methods