Pressure Points: The Science of Performing When It Matters Most

Performing at your best when it matters most is something a lot of people struggle with. You can prepare for days, even weeks, but the moment you step on stage, walk into an interview, or face a big audience, things shift. Suddenly, what felt solid in practice starts to slip. I'm Dr. Oksana Komarenko. I teach at Ball State University, and I’m also an opera singer. I know what it’s like to face high-pressure moments. During my first major solo recital, my hands started shaking so badly I could barely control them. Everything I had rehearsed felt just out of reach. And I’m not the only one. Research shows that over 77 percent of performers experience the same thing when the pressure is on.