Who Is Judging Whom?

11 Jun 2026 @ 18:30 BST (GMT +01:00)

Untangling the relationship between your inner critic and your audience

When you perform, it is often not the music that occupies your mind, but what the audience might be thinking of you and your playing. This can create tension, self doubt and possibly even a reluctance to perform at all.

But how much of this is real?

In this online workshop with Adina Mornell, we explore how performers interpret feedback, both real and imagined, and how easily judgement can be misread or projected. You will learn how to distinguish between what is actually happening and what is being assumed, and how to develop a more stable and grounded sense of your own playing and progress.

What we’ll explore

Drawing on themes emerging from our recent survey, this session takes a closer look at one of the most powerful influences on performance: judgement. In this session, you’ll explore:

• How performers project judgement onto their audience
• The difference between real, imagined and internal feedback
• Why negative self perception can feel so convincing, even when it is inaccurate
• How past experiences shape your reactions in performance

You will also be introduced to practical ways to:

• Become less sensitive to perceived judgement
• Interpret feedback with greater clarity
• Set realistic and constructive performance goals
• Develop a more reliable sense of your own progress

Why join?

By the end of the session, you will have a clearer understanding of:

• The role judgement plays in shaping your experience of performance
• The difference between real feedback and imagined judgement
• The influence of internal criticism at the piano
• What a more balanced relationship with external approval looks like
• What constitutes realistic and meaningful performance goals
• How to evaluate your own progress in a more constructive and objective way

Who this is for

This workshop is for pianists who:

• Want to enjoy playing and sharing their music more freely
• Feel anxious or self-conscious when performing
• Worry about what others think of their playing
• Replay perceived mistakes or audience reactions afterwards
• Depend heavily on reassurance or approval of others
• Avoid performing because it feels too personal or triggers past experiences

This session is relevant for regular performers, amateur pianists who perform informally and those who do not currently perform but would like to feel more comfortable sharing their playing.

Join us and move beyond imagined judgement to experience the pleasure of connecting with your music and audience!

About Your Presenter – Adina Mornell

Adina Mornell is uniquely qualified to turn research results into actionable knowledge for musicians, having trained as a classical pianist before receiving her PhD in Music Psychology and Instrumental Pedagogy in Vienna. As professor in Graz and Munich, she conducted empirical studies in the field of musical performance and her teaching focuses on deliberate practice, attentional focus and the intersection of neuroscience and music psychology. Adina has also released several CDs worldwide as a solo pianist and written several books and articles (in English and German) for performers and teachers.

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