As a singing teacher in London one of the most common questions I get asked is about stage presence—how to engage with an audience and create a performance that is both unique and unforgettable. This question is consistent across all styles and genres, from singer-songwriters performing their own material to artists working with our singing teachers in London, specialising in jazz singing lessons, musical theatre singing lessons, pop singing lessons, and even opera singing lessons. Everyone wants to know how to give the best possible performance as ultimately Stage presence is what separates a good performance from a truly electric and engaging one.
It’s not always just about singing well; it’s about creating a moment that resonates with the audience.
So, how do you develop a strong stage presence? Let’s explore some key ways to elevate your performances and make it engaging and memorable.
Let’s Start at the Beginning: Reading the Room and Engaging the Audience
Every performance setting is different, and how you connect with your audience should reflect the space you are in. A small, intimate venue with an audience sitting at tables will require a very different approach to a large stage with a standing crowd. In a more intimate setting, you might use softer gestures, make direct eye contact, and speak to the audience as though you’re having a conversation. On a bigger stage, you’ll need to project more energy, use larger movements, and find ways to engage the crowd as a whole using the entirety of the space.
Beyond the songs themselves, your interactions between songs help shape the audience’s experience. Some artists introduce each song with a short story or insight, giving the audience a glimpse into their world, while others prefer to let the music do the talking. If the song allows for it, you can encourage participation—singing along, clapping, a dance move, or simply responding to a question can make the audience feel included.
Connecting With the Song and Its Message
It’s not just about what you sing but how you sing it. Every song carries a message, a story, or an emotion that you want to communicate to your audience. If you don’t connect with the song, how can you expect your audience to?
Rather than simply going through the motions, take the time to truly feel what you are singing about and how you want to make your audience feel. Think about the lyrics—what are you trying to say? What emotions should come through? If a song is deeply personal or has a strong message, allow yourself to be vulnerable. If it’s a high-energy, feel-good song, lean into that joy and let it radiate. Your audience wants to feel something when they watch you perform, and that only happens when you are emotionally invested in the music yourself.
Owning the Stage
Your physical presence on stage plays a huge role in how your performance is received. Many artists make the mistake of standing in one spot for the entire show, but the stage is your space—use it, move within it, don’t be afraid to use the floor, walk, crawl, stretch, dance—whatever you feel comfortable with. You are the art, and the stage is your frame.
Something as simple as placing a chair in one corner can create contrast, allowing you to sit for an emotional ballad before standing and moving for a high-energy song. Microphone stands can be used creatively—moving them, lifting them, or taking the mic off at key moments can add impact.
Lighting can also be a powerful tool. Even in smaller venues, most stages have at least a basic lighting rig. Consider how different colours and intensities can shape the mood—do you want a cool ocean blue or a warm, inviting red? Perhaps your performances are raw and earthy, and a vibrant green would represent that. Playing with shadows and movement can add subtle but powerful layers to your stage presence.
Stage Clothes: More Than Just an Outfit
What you wear on stage is part of your performance. Your outfit should reflect your artistic persona, enhance your confidence, and work with the energy of your set. But one thing performers sometimes forget is to consider how their clothes or costumes will look under stage lighting.
Some materials reflect light beautifully, creating flickers and shimmers that can add a dynamic visual element to your performance. However, certain fabrics can unexpectedly turn see-through under bright stage lights (speaking from experience—always check this before you go on stage!). If possible, test your outfit under similar lighting conditions beforehand to avoid any surprises. Comfort is also key; make sure you can move freely without worrying about wardrobe malfunctions or restrictions. You will never deliver your best performance in a pair of heels that hurt or jeans that make it hard to breathe, so begin with what makes you feel comfortable and like the best version of yourself.
Body Language, Expression, and Connection
How you hold yourself on stage directly affects how the audience perceives you. Confidence, even if it’s just an illusion at first, can draw people in and make them feel at ease watching you perform.
Eye contact is one of the simplest yet most powerful ways to connect with an audience. Looking out into the crowd—even if you can’t see individual faces—creates a sense of intimacy and involvement. Similarly, facial expressions help tell the story of a song. If the lyrics are emotional, your face should reflect that—get deeply in touch with the lyrics and really feel each word. Conversely, if it’s a fun, upbeat song, let the audience see that energy in your expressions, movement, and vibrance.
Whether your performance is animated, using every inch of the stage, or you choose to captivate the audience by standing completely still and drawing focus to your voice and expressions, the key is finding what feels natural for you.
Handling the Unexpected
Live performances don’t always go smoothly—sound issues, audience distractions, or even forgetting lyrics can happen. Rather than letting a mistake throw you off, remember that they are a natural part of live performance. Try to turn it into part of the experience. Laugh it off, interact with the audience, or smoothly improvise your way through it. There’s a saying: “If you make a mistake, do it twice, and it’s no longer a mistake!”
If a technical issue arises, staying calm and collected reassures the audience that you’re in control, so they get behind you rather than feeling concerned for you.
Some of the most memorable performances happen when an artist turns an unexpected moment into something special. I’ve been to shows where lyrics were forgotten, and the artist got the entire audience to sing them back—it’s those live performance moments that truly stick with me.
Finding Your Stage Persona
Your stage presence should be an extension of who you are as an artist, reflecting your personality both on and off stage. Audiences connect most with performers who feel authentic, so it’s important to consider what feels right for you. What’s your message? What do you stand for?
Are you an artist who shares openly on social media and loves chatting with fans? If so, your stage presence should reflect that warmth and approachability. Speaking between songs, sharing anecdotes, and making the audience feel included will help strengthen that connection. A good example of this is Adele.
On the other hand, if your persona is more mysterious or ethereal, you might choose a different approach. You could keep talking to a minimum, using carefully chosen words to enhance the atmosphere rather than breaking it. In this case, the way you move, the lighting, and the tone of your interactions become even more important in drawing the audience into your world. A good example of this approach is PJ Harvey.
Whatever your artistic identity, make sure your stage presence aligns with it. The goal is not to become someone else but to bring out the most compelling version of your artistic self.
Practising Performance (Not Just Singing)
Stage presence is a skill, and like learning to sing or any other skill, it takes practice. The best way to improve is to watch yourself perform—set up a camera and record yourself singing as if you were in stage either at home or in your next city vocal Coach singing lesson
By reviewing and refining, you can adjust your performance to be more impactful.
So, in Summary…
Stage presence isn’t about perfection—it’s about connection. The more experience you gain, the more confident and natural you will feel on stage.
Developing your stage presence will take time, so keep learning, and keep experimenting. Not all Vocal teachers in London are able to help with this aspect of performance but at City Vocal Coach we are highly experienced in this area so ask your City Vocal coach teacher to help you with this at your next singing lesson, all our teachers have years of experience working in live performance across all genres so will be more than happy to help you with this elemement if your singing journey.
The more experience you gain, the more confident and natural you will feel on stage. Most importantly, don’t forget to enjoy the moment—because ultimately its not about perfection its about energy and connection, and its those moments where the real magic happens!
So what are you waiting for? Book your singing lesson now and take your Stage Presence to the next level
