In July 2024, we combined our existing blogs (The Committee Blog and the Community Blog) into one: The NFA Blog. This space will be a landing page for the flute community to share their insights. Check back each month for new posts!
Getting ready to attend this year’s convention in San Antonio? Be sure to add self-care time to your convention experience by attending some of the Performance Health Care Committee’s many events taking place throughout the convention! The committee is excited to offer a range of activities including live Q&A panels, meet-up groups on topics including focal dystonia and chronic illness, presentations on focal dystonia and mental health, free yoga and movement sessions at the NFA committee booth, and more.
As always, if you are experiencing ongoing pain or discomfort while playing your instrument, a performance-related injury, or other health-related challenges, we strongly recommend seeing a medical professional. For a great resource on how to find performing arts health specialists near you, check out the Performing Arts Medicine Association’s Referral Directory here.
If you’re looking to learn more about performing arts health and flute playing, or if you need some rest and relaxation, come check out these events led by members of the NFA Performance Health Care Committee at the following sessions during the 2024 NFA Convention in San Antonio!
PHC Panel “Cultivating a Community of Care: A Live Panel and Discussion with the Performance Health Care Committee” Friday, August 2 from 2:15-3:30pm in Room 205. Members of the PHC will combine their knowledge and expertise for a panel session, discussing FAQs related to flutists’ health and wellbeing. Attendees are encouraged to ask questions during the Q&A session at the end for instant, expert answers!
PHC lecture: “The Conundrum of Focal Dystonia: Causes, Recovery, and Prevention” Thursday, August 1 from 10am-11:15am in Room 214 AB. This panel discussion will center focal dystonia as a growing playing injury amongst flutists, educate flutists about various early indication markers, prevention methods, recovery methods, and personal stories from the panelists about their journey with focal dystonia. This is an injury that is often accompanied by increased anxiety and stress, shame and embarrassment, and loss of identity. It is incredibly important that there be open discussions on this topic, and this is the beginning of an ongoing conversation within the flute community on focal dystonia. Questions will be guided by moderator Holly Clemans, and there will be an opportunity for discussion with audience members at the end of the session as well as a handout and resource reading list provided for attendees.
PHC lecture: “Musician Mental Health: Triggers and Glimmers” Friday, August 2 from 6:15-7pm in Room 214D. Playing the flute—or any musical instrument—often positively supports mental health through increased creativity, improved self-confidence, and social connectedness. However, stage fright and other performance pressures can negatively impact the mental health of musicians who engage in music making for study, work, or regular public-facing situations. This lecture, presented by members of the NFA Performance Healthcare Committee Simone Maurer and Gaby Alvarado, will discuss “triggers and glimmers” of four musician mental health topics: performance anxiety, perfectionism, negative self-talk, and impostor syndrome. Triggers (or stressors) are actions or situations which can lead to adverse reactions—they can be identified through certain “red flag behaviors”. In contrast, glimmers are internal or external cues that promote positive coping strategies and help to reset or calm the nervous system. The discussion will be contextualized within the Healthy Conservatoires Network ‘Wellbeing Framework’ focusing on emotional, intellectual, social, and spiritual support aspects.
PHC Committee booth sessions:
Chair Yoga Thursday, August 1 from 10-11am in Booth 433. Join Rena Urso for this short workshop of gentle yoga shapes that can be done in a chair...on stage, backstage, or anywhere you have a chair and want to move your body.
Movement Sessions* Friday, August 2 from 12-1pm in Booth 433. The Performance Health Care Committee invites flutists to sign up in advance for a movement session with a trained professional on the committee to discuss any physical challenges or injuries you are experiencing that are impacting your ability to play your flute.
*Sign-up sheets will be available at the committee booth beginning on Thursday morning.
Pilates for Flutists – Stretch and Strengthen Friday, August 2 from 4-5pm in Booth 433. Join Pilates Instructor and Performance Health Care Committee member Jayne Gort for a 30-minute Pilates session in the exhibition hall! This session will cover stretches, breath work, and exercises to strengthen key muscle groups we use while playing the flute. Open to all, this session will be accessible to individuals of all levels. Bring a mat if you would like, but this session can be done without!
15-Minute Posture Check* Saturday, August 3 from 11am-12pm in Booth 433. Join trained members of the Performance Health Care Committee for a brief review of the spine, core, stance, and shoulders for integrated postural alignment when holding the flute.
*Sign-up sheets will be available at the committee booth beginning on Thursday morning.
Chronic Illness Meet-Up Group: Thursday, August 1 from 4-5pm in Room 305. Flutists with chronic illness are invited to an in-person meet-up session run by the PHC for peer support and networking. This session will include an open discussion with the group.
Focal Dystonia Meet-Up Group: Friday, August from 9-10am in Room 305. Flutists with focal dystonia or flutists looking to learn more about focal dystonia are invited to an in-person meet-up session run by the PHC for peer support and networking. This session will include an open discussion with the group.
Other sessions given by PHC committee members:
Dr. Simone Maurer “The Body Language of Flute Players,” Thursday, August 1 from 12:45-1:45pm. Dr. Simone Maurer presents key findings from interdisciplinary research on the body movements of student and professional flutists and addresses how the outcomes can be applied to performance and teaching.
Professor Mihoko Watanabe “Mindful Musicians: Holistic Practicing Using Mindset and Mindfulness,” Saturday, August 3 from 9-10am. Learn ways to mitigate stress by using mindfulness to understand and be aware of your thoughts, behaviors, and feelings. This lecture engages the audience in self-assessment and ways to develop a better mindset.
Please note that the session days/times are subject to change, so be sure to check the convention schedule online for the latest updates.
We can’t wait to see you at the convention, and as always, you’re welcome to submit any questions you may have to our question forum through our NFA webpage here. To learn more about our committee, you can do so by visiting our webpage.
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