The Power of Performance in Shaping Young Musicians

Jaxon performing “Home Sweet Home” by Mötley Crüe at the Cain Center for the Arts.

At Learn Music, we’ve seen student after student grow in confidence and musicianship through performance experiences. Stories like Jaxon’s show exactly why performance matters.

Jaxon had been taking piano and voice lessons at Learn Music for several years before he ventured onto the stage to share his music. Reflecting on his first performance at a Learn Music recital, Jaxon’s parents remember feeling genuinely “stunned” to see their typically shy 10-year-old play in front of a crowd and “overwhelmed in the best way” by his courage.

Jaxon’s emotions were similar to his parents’. He remembers feeling like his “nervousness outweighed his excitement” when he first took the stage, but hearing the crowd’s reaction encouraged him to push through. After the performance, he recalls feeling that he had accomplished something big and celebrated his achievement with a Shirley Temple.

Now, only one year later, Jaxon can’t get enough of the stage, and audiences can’t get enough of his renditions of classics like “Seven Spanish Angels,” “Whole Lotta Shakin’ Going On,” and “Old Time Rock & Roll.”

“Performing regularly has helped Jaxon’s confidence grow tremendously,” his parents say. “He is now always thinking about what song he wants to perform next.”

That confidence has carried over into other areas of his life, including church and school, and into sports like jiu-jitsu, where he has really focused on learning and improving. He’s even started bringing his travel keyboard to family gatherings and heading up the entertainment.

The main lesson Jaxon has learned from performing regularly is, “If you want to get better at something, you really do have to keep practicing. People have always told me that, but performing has shown me that it is actually true.”

Recently, Jaxon closed out a Learn Music Live with a personal arrangement of “Home Sweet Home” by Mötley Crüe at the Cain Center for the Arts. “That song pushed him vocally,” his parents said, and “looking back at how far he has come since his first performance is really amazing.”

We believe performance is one of the most powerful tools for growth as a musician and a person. If you are the parent of a young musician and want to encourage them to begin performing, Learn Music provides a variety of opportunities to get started. From Open Mics to recitals to rock bands, we have something for every student. Click here to learn more.