On Friday, October 24, the Blair School of Music surprised students with its first Musician Wellness Day, hosted during their weekly Friday Recital Class. The afternoon transformed Ingram Lobby into a hub of activity, with each table focused on a tool or technique to support musicians’ physical, mental, or creative well-being.
The event was conceived and organized by Rebecca Luppe, pianist and coach, whose own experiences with mental health challenges and injury recovery inspired her to create a day centered on whole-person wellness.
“Through the years, I’ve had challenges with my mental and physical health that were exacerbated by the specific demands of being a musician,” said Luppe. “For a long time, I thought that was just how it was supposed to be, but when I reached my breaking points and worked through the aftermath, I realized it didn’t have to be this way, and in fact should not be this way. I’ve watched friends, classmates, and colleagues go through similar challenges in their musical lives, and all of this combined has ignited a strong passion in me around the topic of musician wellness.”
Luppe was joined by Jessica Blackwell, artist teacher of violin and musician’s wellness, who served as co-organizer, with additional support from Josh McGuire, principal senior lecturer in aural skills and area chair of career readiness and community engagement and Tucker Biddlecombe, professor of choral studies and associate dean for undergraduate education.
Faculty and guest presenters included:
Jessica Blackwell, Alicia Enstrom, E. Rachel Eskridge, Jennifer Farrar, Derek Hartman, Cindy Hui-Lio, Jennifer McGuire, Joshua McGuire, Tyler Nelson, Erik Stucky, Kate Linton, and María Romero Ramos.
Throughout the afternoon, Blair students explored a variety of topics such as creativity and play, yoga, tai chi, meditation, body mapping, injury prevention, thought patterns, and vocal health. Each table provided them with takeaways to incorporate into their routines. Demonstrations on stage invited participants to join in mini sessions in tai chi, yoga, meditation, and the Alexander Technique. Students also enjoyed refreshments, including homemade brownies provided by Luppe’s mother, Beth.
“Everywhere I looked, I saw students taking the informational handouts, participating in the activities, and engaging in thoughtful and enthusiastic conversation with our presenters,” Luppe said. “Several students thanked me for hosting the event and earnestly affirmed that it was much needed.”
Luppe hopes this inaugural event will lay the foundation for a lasting culture of wellness at Blair.
“My goal is to make musician wellness as integral a part of a traditional Western music school education as subjects like music theory and aural skills,” she said.
Musician Wellness Day reflects the Blair School of Music’s desire to find ways of supporting the health and well-being of its students, ensuring that every musician not only grows artistically, but thrives personally.
*The event was supported by funding from the Dean’s Office, as well as class funds from Jessica Blackwell and Joshua McGuire.