This thesis explores the phenomenon of music performance anxiety. It begins by defining music performance anxiety (MPA), including an examination of anxiety disorders and generalized performance anxiety. It then discusses how MPA, despite being a taboo subject, is widespread in the musical community and affects musicians of all levels. The paper then turns to the factors that occur comorbidly with MPA, in hopes of discerning why some musicians suffer from the disorder and others do not. Furthermore, it explores the aspects of the music world that make it a hotbed for mental illness. It then looks at the maladaptive ways musicians try to cope with MPA, and concludes with an overview of the treatments that can help those with MPA, as well as pedagogical techniques that, if adopted in early musical education, can help prevent the initial onset of the disorder. Interspersed throughout these chapters are anecdotes from the author’s own life as a musician with MPA. This thesis is meant to be an educational tool on two fronts: it strives to advise the uninformed reader about what music performance anxiety is, and to help the reader with MPA better understand their experience and know that they are not alone.