Musicians鈥 Wellness Program (MWP)

Musicians' Wellness students in semi-circle listening to professor explanation

Welcome to the Musicians鈥 Wellness Program (MWP) at the 精品SM在线影片 College of Music!听Learn how to apply powerful somatic methodologies that improve physical functioning and overall wellness, from performance psychology and effective exercise to breathing, hearing, vocal health and more.

Our services

The MWP strives to听increase听proficiency,听prevent听injury and help students reach their goals through somatic training, psychotherapy,听health-related information and a medical support network. As such, the MWP provides essential assistance to injured students with the goals of returning them to full functioning and preventing further injury, and guiding them to resources including local medical professionals trained in the special needs of musicians.听

The MWP also partners with 精品SM在线影片 Counseling Services: The College of Music鈥檚 embedded therapist has wide-ranging experience in many aspects of emotional health that frequently affect musicians, including performance anxiety. Individual and group sessions further address mental health and psychiatric services for a variety of students鈥 needs.

Wellness for musicians classes with James Brody

In these classes, we explore strategies that help musicians maintain optimal health while achieving peak performance. You will learn to employ powerful somatic methodologies鈥攊ncluding Alexander Technique and Body Mapping鈥攖hat improve physical functioning and prevent injury. A variety of wellness aspects are also included, such as performance psychology, mental health, effective exercise, nutrition, breathing, hearing and vocal health.

Alexander Technique lessons + consultations with James Brody

James Brody offers one-on-one consultations and lessons with students who are experiencing difficulty in music making听due to misuse, injury, anxiety or physical tension.听Email James听Brody听or ask your teacher to set up a consultation at which your teacher may be present, if you wish.

Annual Summer Alexander Technique Program

Every July, the MWP hosts a week-long Alexander Technique course.This experience includes significant aspects of the Alexander Technique, Body Mapping, movement, mindfulness and psychology鈥攁ll in the service of inclusive well-being.听MORE

Mental health services

Counseling + Psychiatric Services听(颁础笔厂)听offers confidential, on-campus mental health and psychiatric services for a variety of students鈥 needs. Students who have paid the mental health fee听are eligible to work with CAPS providers, including 24/7 phone support.

Matthew Tomatz听is the College of Music鈥檚听embedded psychotherapist听from CAPS. He has wide-ranging听experience in many听aspects of emotional health that frequently affect musicians, including performance anxiety and blocks to success. Tomatz often supports students in meeting their musical goals by addressing practice strategies, motivation, procrastination, career concerns, attentional difficulties, interpersonal challenges and peak performance skills.听For individual or group counseling,听contact Matt Tomatz directly at听Matthew.Tomatz@colorado.edu听or through the CAPS main office, 303-492-2277.

Meetings with Matt听provides opportunities for informal and confidential consultation in our wellness space (S303). This service is free and open to students, faculty听and staff. Topics of conversation could be related to performance, time management, procrastination, how life and performance intersect, getting through the year, making choices, learning about therapy ... or just to talk:听Wednesdays, 3:30-4:45听p.m. in听S303.

Developing the Whole Musician听with Matt Tomatz is a unique learning environment and powerful group process. Participation helps students make important personal discoveries while supporting their growth as musicians.听Questions? Contact Matt Tomatz,听Matthew.Tomatz@colorado.edu.

Medical evaluations at 精品SM在线影片 Medical Services

Tracy Casault, John Breck听and Julie Jacobson-Weaver provide initial evaluations as well as referrals for diagnostic tests, physical therapy听and appointments with specialists as needed. If you do not have medical insurance through 精品SM在线影片, check with Medical Services听to learn whether听your medical insurance is accepted.

Physical therapy

精品SM在线影片 Medical Services offers a patient-centered approach to PT in which the specific needs of each student听guides the care provided. Ann Sirotniak is the MWP partner in this area. Any 精品SM在线影片 student can access 精品SM在线影片 PT services at Wardenburg. If you have the 精品SM在线影片 Gold plan, you do not need a physician referral; third-party insurance plans may need a referral (check with your provider).听PT is also available at the听听in the Champions Center/Stadium.

Speech, language + hearing clinic

Take care of your hearing! Students can get a basic hearing test at no cost. Hearing protection specifically designed for musicians is available at below-market cost.

Guest speaker series

Topics include performance management skills, temporomandibular joint disorder, PT for performers and the anatomy of breathing. Visit听the Wellness Board or check our听听for the schedule.

MUSC 2/5608:鈥嬏Wellness for Musicians 1

An exploration of strategies that help musicians maintain health while achieving peak performance. We investigate and employ powerful somatic methodologies including Alexander Technique and Body Mapping that improve physical functioning and prevent injury. The course incorporates a variety of wellness aspects such as performance psychology, mental health, effective exercise, nutrition, breathing, hearing and vocal health. Main text: Barbara Conable鈥檚 How to Learn the Alexander Technique.

MUSC 4608/MUSC 5808: Wellness for Musicians 2

This course develops and further integrates material covered in Wellness for Musicians.1. We embark on a deeper exploration of somatic and wide-ranging wellness strategies, including F.M. Alexander鈥檚 conception of Inhibition and other approaches for proactive self-care and improvement. We will consider how to integrate methodologies in teaching, pedagogy听and practice. Students will complete several projects related to their specific musical pursuits and interests. Main text: Missy Vineyard鈥檚 How You Stand, How You Move, How You Live.

University resources

Community resources

Supplemental materials

Barbara Conable discussing听鈥淭he Five Tasks of Constructive Rest鈥


Published by the National Association of Schools of Music (NASM) and Performing Arts Medicine Association (PAMA). This is a comprehensive overview of hearing health issues for postsecondary schools and departments of music.听 Information of a medical nature is provided by PAMA; information regarding contextual issues in music programs, by NASM.

A study published in the听British Medical Journal听titled听听For those wary of technical jargon, there is an informative video about the study.

Links above to community healthcare providers who have expertise in a particular area do not imply or intend endorsement or recommendation of any particular provider, individual practitioner or modality by the 精品SM在线影片 College of Music or the college鈥檚 Musicians鈥 Wellness Program. Rather, this information is provided as a service to seeking solutions to wellness issues.

Contact

James Brody
MWP Director
james.brody@colorado.edu
303-492-1641
, S303

About the Musicians鈥 Wellness Program (MWP)

In this video, explore different aspects of the program, meet MWP Founder + Director James Brody and hear from student participants.

Promoting peak performance, mental health

MWP Director James Brody and Matthew Tomatz, embedded team manager and therapist, discuss their roles and the role of the Musicians鈥 Wellness Program in the College of Music.

A conversation about musicians鈥 wellness

MWP Director James Brody and Artist in Residence听Edward Dusinberre, first violinist of our Tak谩cs Quartet, discuss the impact and benefits of somatic approaches to musicians鈥 physical functioning and overall wellness鈥攊ncluding valuable insights into posture, flexibility听and injury prevention through mind-body practices.