Ask Augustin 50 -- Dealing with Performance Anxiety

This is another episode of Ask Augustin in collaboration with Tonebase.
Also, be sure to check out everything else they have to offer at http://www.tonebase.co/violin

I get asked about nervousness and stage fright so often, by both students and professional musicians. I'll always feel a bit nervous when I walk on a stage in front of a lot of people (I'd be crazy not to!) but I have found ways to cope with it.
One thing that has helped me a lot is visualize, as much as I can, what the performance situation will be like as I'm practicing. I try to prepare not only my playing, but all other aspects as well -- including posture, the way I breathe while playing, how i will project in a bigger space, and so on.
Do you get nervous and what methods have you found to cope with it?