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Does she have other opportunities to perform or is it just the big recital?

DS's Suzuki teacher insists on multiple opportunities to play, for family, for friends, in front of his fellow students etc. These are all informal, and the groups are very forgiving of mistakes. The goal is to keep performance so much a part of natural life that it never becomes a big deal. He does have big recitals now, but because he is desensitized to performing he really doesn't suffer from perfectionism or anxiety.

I think if you have only a few big recitals, and no other performance opportunities, that puts the pressure on and increases the anxiety.

I like the idea that performance becomes so much a part of natural life that it never becomes a big deal. But I don't agree that it can. I think (wait I must put on my amateur psychologist hat) that the concept that you are performing, expected to perform, is not natural.

Not for an audience. Maybe I am mistaken, and maybe it has to do with the personality of the child and the rest of his/her environment. But I think the child has to want it.

My view is much like that view in Vitus where the parents want him to play for their friends. He loved to play, hated being shown off.

Ren

I said this on the performance thread, but thought I would repeat it here. I think we have a culture that puts too much pressure on the kids to perform at high levels, to be good. When I said that performing should be part of life, I meant that as family and friend groups, we need to provide an inviting space for a kid to share what they know because the adults are doing the same thing, taking risks having fun.

I think the key is that is isn't just the kids "performing." Families need to turn off the media and enjoy each other. Adults need to share their talents and let the kids join in. KWIM?