Lots of people, including the most talented performers, get stage fright. It’s that overpowering sense of anxiety when the spotlight turns on you. However, in the land of street shows, fear runs into spontaneity, and boy does it make for some magic. In this video we see an example of one of these heartwarming moments when a young girl, a complete stranger, suddenly agrees to come play a public piano after a bit of encouragement from YouTube pianist Joe Jenkins.
In this scene we hear the tale of a jittery girl who lets Joe know, whisper-soft, that she’d like to play a few notes — and ends up giving a street “performance” that speaks to all comers. Her transformation from twinkle-eyed toddler to novic e jouster in front of a pub lic audience shows how the courage to confront one’s fears can also yield surprises. Watch the full performance in the video below…
The Power of Support
A little encouragement can go a long way in stage fright. And although this young girl didn’t have her family in that moment, she had a YouTube star and pianist, Joe Jenkins, coach her through the crowd.
Joe Jenkins, a talented pianist with a huge YouTube following, often films himself playing street pianos. That day he was playing a public piano when the small child just wanted to know if she could play something. What was a favor quickly became a much larger moment. Joe just standing there, and the air of calm that surrounded him, surely would have soothed her nerves and told her that she could make the leap and keep playing in front of the increasingly large crowd. As a person who has influenced many with his music, Joe’s advice and laid-back encouragement was what she needed to find her confidence.
Joe Jenkins has been doing public and online installations for years, but moments like these are special. And his ability to make it a playing environment where dare I say, anyone feels welcome to play, young or old, experienced or not, speaks volumes of the power of “encouragement” when it comes to unlocking creativity and bravery.
Ways to Alleviate the Nervousness
There’s nothing wrong with getting nervous, but there are some ways that you can work to combat those nerves, especially when it comes to an impromptu street performance like this one. While the child looked initially apprehensive, there are a few tricks which may have helped sow the seeds of calm.
Breathing exercises are one way to take control back. Taking slow breaths slows the heart rate down, making it easier to concentrate. Perhaps the girl paused for a moment to steady her breath before putting her fingers to the keys.
Visualization is another helpful technique. Visualizing a successful performance before it even starts can help to quell stage fright. Perhaps the girl imagined herself playing smoothly, and that’s what made beginning the performance easier.
And finally, playing for a small, supportive crowd (in this case, strangers surrounding her) helped restore her confidence. Street performances are typically less formal than concerts, and the microphone-free air might also have helped Taya settle in as she started to play. Playing in them can also aid young musicians in dealing with stage fright in a less daunting space.
The Performance Journey
To start, the little girl displayed visible signs of reluctance. To be standing next to a YouTube star and professional pianist, it’s intimidating. She was nervous as she approached the public piano. But after a hiatus and maybe a few gentle words of encouragement from Joe, she found the ability to play.
The second her fingers rested on the keys, something about it all just felt different. She gained confidence with each note. Because the previously hesitant passerby was now performing; and with the way the music poured out, a crowd formed around the piano. Everyone appeared to be transfixed by the rawness of the moment, which was not a super-planned performance but premium genuine act of bravery and talent.
By the end, the audience members’ applause and screams were not a mere response to her music, but a celebration of the courage and the skill it took to get through her nerves in the first place. Thanks to an artist willing to take the time to give a passionate performance, the life of a passersby was transformed in an instant.
For kids who dream of performing, Joe Jenkins is an inspiration right now. It’s a reminder that inspiration can emerge from any source — even just being asked to play a few notes on a public piano can blossom into an opportunity to shine. So when you are put in a situation like that, don’t be afraid to take the leap and play your song, because the entire world, like the people on the street that day, deserve to hear what you have to say every time you’re in a room.
