The placement of your music stand can mean the difference between a good performance and an adequate performance. You should place your stand where you can see both the audience and the accompanist. DO NOT place your stand behind the piano/accompanist; you are the feature so you need to be easily seen. Ensure the stand does not cover your face (this may help with nerves but it hurts your performance). Your audience wants to see you (that’s why they are there), so make sure you can see them. Eye contact with the audience will provide them with a warmer, more personalized experience.
Good eye contact with your accompanist will allow you to give each other subtle cues that can make or break a performance. Combining eye contact with your audience and your accompanist can help turn your good performance into a great performance!