As classical music concert attendance wanes, much attention has been given to improving and sustaining audience engagement. This doctoral dissertation investigates audience experience at classical music performances from the perspective of the performer. Using a mixed-methodology of arts-based research and qualitative research, I organized and performed seven violin and piano recitals in which I experimented with different types of venues, repertoire, and modes of communication. Data results based on written surveys from 81 concert attendees, as well as semi-structured interviews with numerous other attendees, revealed that audience members engaged better with performances when concert conditions promoted feelings of inclusivity. This finding is consistent with other literature in audience research, but this study contributes a more nuanced discussion from the perspective of the performer of venue choice, programming, and verbal contextualization of the music.