Nina Simone Quotes

I was really conscious of that when I went in because I felt that I was pretty solid on the first one, but I didn't have the groove exactly where I wanted it.

Backstage, I get sleepy, and want to curl up and snooze. I never get nervous, whatever the event. I feel quite detached until I walk on stage, and then some gear inside me clicks and off I go like a wind up doll.

When you play a concerto with a small orchestra, you don't feel it is as important as Carnegie Hall. You try to work out all the little problems. Once that's all done, trust comes in.

But I love singing live. Nothing beats the feeling of going out on stage and going, 'I can really sing.'

I warm up at home. I hit the stage, I'm ready, whether it's rehearsal or anything.

For me, I'm more reserved and focused once I get to the game.

The more prepared I am, the calmer I will be.

To be free on stage, you need to have been disciplined.

I used to get butterflies. Now we're always ready to hit the stage and rock out.

I'd love to give my music to someone who really likes to wow the crowd. I feel like half the time I just want to hide in the dressing room!

Before every show, I have to put perfume on. I know the crowd's not necessarily going to smell me, but when I smell good, I feel like I can dominate the room.

I love to prepare if it's something that requires training. But I don't like to prepare the psychology too much.

I wanted to be a pianist but it just wasn't my thing. I guess I wanted to stand up rather than sit down.

I've never really been a confident person, except from a musical standpoint. I had to push myself early on, but it got easier with each gig.

I do love to sing. Had I a longer set of thigh bones and a sweeter voice, I should have loved to be a performer.

Every audition is different, but I get incredibly nervous and insecure and worked up for however long I have to prep - that's when I get to spin. But you're not allowed to spin once you enter the room. Doubt really can't enter the room when you're auditioning - unless it's part of the character.

I get to the theatre in plenty of time; I prepare my shoes in advance; I eat and drink the right things at the right time. The rest you have to leave to luck!

There's just something about being on stage and being with the people that, once that camera turns on, you find the strength to keep it cool, look good, act like you're not cold, act like you ain't nervous, act like you aren't scared. I think that comes with confidence and practice.

I always loved singing. I was always trying to sing in school plays. I was in every one I could be in.

When they are performing in front of the public, they ought to have a sensation that's relatively easy, if the technical and the interpretive work was done before.

All I have to concentrate on is my performing.

It's one of the things that looks good written down, but the reality is that you think about the pieces you're doing and try to bear in mind everyone in the audience.

I really enjoy singing, it's entirely different to acting because I'm just being myself.

In recitals, you are naked before the audience - well, naked with your jacket and tails. The audience sees and hears the real person, not some role you are interpreting.

I don't feel I'm fighting to reach this huge audience; it just happens. I go on stage before the audience arrives and look out to this vast empty house. There's something therapeutic about taking in the ring where you'll perform.