Blog on Eleny Piano Studio

Why Do We Get Nervous Before Performing?

Mon, 02 Nov 2026 00:00:00 +0200

TL;DR — the short version

Everyone feels strong arousal in front of an audience. What differs is its valence: whether it brings positive or negative experiences.
Joy and anxiety in music lessons are two separate things: you can feel both at once.
Self-efficacy grows most through successful performances in an informal, non-judgemental setting.

Hi, I’m Elena. Why do we get nervous before performing?

Whether it’s public speaking, performing music for an audience, or simply doing something while others’ eyes are fixed on us, we feel different when we are being watched than we would alone, doing the same thing with no one looking. It is not only about the skill itself, playing or speaking, but also about how we feel when we are watched. Everyone’s state and feelings change, but for some people these feelings are positive, and for others negative. Why?

Growth Mindset in Music Teaching

Tue, 06 Oct 2026 00:00:00 +0300

TL;DR — the short version

A growth mindset is the belief that our brains change and improve, and that mistakes are part of learning, not a verdict on ability.
For a teacher, theory isn’t enough. It has to show up in actual words: praise and correct the specific action, not the child.
Three things matter most in learning music: Passion, Patience and Practice.

Many of you have probably heard of the growth and fixed mindsets researched by Carol Dweck.¹ In life we really do meet people with different ways of thinking. Some lift us up. Others leave us, after a conversation, with a sense of hopelessness and inner stagnation. These feelings can be partly explained by the kind of mindset each of us carries.

Our School-Year Opening: A New Chapter for the Studio

Thu, 10 Sep 2026 00:00:00 +0300

TL;DR — the short version

Three new teachers have joined our team: Edvinas, Rūta and Giedrė.
We opened additional studio rooms in the same building.
This year brings more chances to perform, two international music camps, and the option to prepare for ABRSM exams.

Our school-year opening celebration is more than just another start of September.

So much has changed at our studio this year, with many new and beautiful things we really want to share. We are growing faster and faster, our community is getting bigger, and new ideas, projects and opportunities for students keep appearing.

The Most Important Person in the Room

Wed, 09 Sep 2026 09:00:00 +0300

TL;DR — the short version

Before any method or technique, what matters most is genuine connection with the student in front of you.
Listening first — how a student feels, what they need right now — makes everything that follows more effective.
A simple rule: the most important person in the world is whoever is in front of you at that moment.

I think teaching is deeply important. And the more I think about it, the more one thing becomes clear to me — first and foremost, we are all creatures of connection.

What Is a Performance Practice Concert?

Tue, 21 Jul 2026 15:00:00 +0300

TL;DR — the short version

A relaxed, low-stakes chance for students to practice performing in front of a small audience — not a formal recital.
Held most months, usually on the last Wednesday at 19:00.
Builds real stage comfort gradually, so the bigger seasonal recitals feel like the next step, not a leap.

A Performance Practice Concert is a short, informal evening at the studio where any student who wants to can get up and play something in front of a small audience of peers, parents, and family. No costumes, no big production, no pressure to be perfect — just a chance to actually play in front of people, in a room that already feels familiar.

What Actually Makes Someone Musical?

Tue, 21 Jul 2026 09:00:00 +0300

TL;DR — the short version

Musical ability isn’t one fixed trait — rhythm, motivation, communication, and personal effort rank higher in research than having a “good ear” or being able to read music.
How much practising changes your brain matters more than any fixed level of talent, and early exposure to music helps build the mental frameworks we use to make sense of what we hear.
In a controlled study, children given music lessons gained noticeably more IQ than children given drama lessons, another artistic activity, or no lessons at all.

Neuroscience shows that every brain learns differently — how much a learning experience actually changes the brain depends on time spent practising, not some fixed level of talent. Musicality itself turns out to depend mostly on the ability to learn, rather than being a trait you either have or don’t.

Why Positive Music Lessons Matter More Than You Think

Tue, 14 Jul 2026 09:00:00 +0300

TL;DR — the short version

Musical ability isn’t a rare gift — most people can develop real skill with the right teaching and support.
How a student feels while learning — enjoyment, confidence, low pressure — matters as much as how much they practice.
A positive, encouraging environment measurably improves motivation and the odds a student keeps playing long-term.

Music has always been a part of human life. Almost everyone listens to music every day, yet only a relatively small number of people learn to play an instrument. This is surprising when we consider the many benefits that music education can bring.