The NFA Blog

This post is contributed from the NFA Performance Health Care Committee, authored by Francesca Leo DeLouis. 

Getting ready to attend this year’s convention in Atlanta? 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 weekend! Our committee and friends are excited to offer a range of activities including meet-up groups on topics including mental wellbeing and chronic illness; the NFA’s first ever Body Mapping Masterclass and several Body Mapping events and workshops; presentations on focal dystonia, the aging flutist, mental practice, and somatic practices; yoga and wellness warm-up sessions; The Doctor Is In sessions at the NFA Committees 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 2025 NFA Convention in Atlanta! See below for a full schedule of performing arts health-related events:

THURSDAY:

10:15-11AM - The Body of Sound
Location: Baker
Presenter: Morgann E. Davis

Embodying the creation of tone, The Body of Sound with Morgann E. Davis links movement with flute warm-ups for mobility and resonance. Participants will explore sound through motion. 

1:15-2:15PM - Harmony Through Connection: Nonviolent Communication in the Music Studio
Location: Regency Hall V
Presenter: Lisa Garner Santa

Lisa Garner Santa explores how Nonviolent Communication can transform the applied music studio by fostering empathy, mutual respect, and deeper student-teacher engagement. Learn strategies to enhance communication, create a more supportive learning environment, and strengthen collaboration, helping students and teachers connect more meaningfully through music. 

2-3PM - Flutists with Chronic Illness and Injury Meet-Up

Location: Zoom
Presenter: Performance Health Care Committee

Returning in 2025 due to popular demand, flutists with chronic illness and/or injury are invited to an online meet-up group for peer support and networking, discussing topics such as alternative practice routines and breaking from or returning to flute playing. Register here.

FRIDAY:

8-8:45AM - Everyday Yoga for Every Flutist
Location: Embassy Hall BC
Presenter: Dr. Lindsey Keay

Join us for a refreshing, interactive yoga session to prepare your mind and body for practice and performance. Learn simple techniques to enhance focus, ease tension, and find balance–anywhere you play or teach. No experience needed–come as you are!

11AM-12PM - Mental Practice for the Flute
Location: Regency Hall V
Presenters: Simone Maurer and Francesca Leo DeLouis

Mental Practice, a cognitive technique for imagining and rehearsing music internally, has been proven effective for improving performance and memorization. In this practical workshop, Francesca Leo DeLouis and Simone Maurer explore the principles and applications of mental imagery into practice routines. 

12:30-1:30PM - Everything About Breathing
Location: Regency Hall V
Presenter: Kelly Mollnow Wilson

Kelly Mollnow Wilson offers a clear, hands-on approach to understanding breathing anatomy and technique. Learn how to breathe more efficiently, take in more air, reduce noise, and optimize quick breaths–all to support better, freer playing. 

1-2PM - Flute Chat: Mental Wellbeing Meet Up
Location: Inman
Presenters: Simone Maurer and Francesca Leo DeLouis

Flutists are invited to join this meet-up group to find community and support for mental wellbeing, discussing topics such as stress, self-esteem, and performance pressure to cultivate a healthier musical journey together. 

3-4PM - NFA Performance Health Care Committee - The Doctor is In: Stephen Mitchell, MD
Location: NFA Committees Booth, Exhibition Hall
Presenter: Stephen Mitchell, MD

Dr. Stephen Mitchell, Performance Health Care Committee medical advisory board member, will be present to help explain your health concerns. 

SATURDAY:

8-8:45AM - Yoga for Flutists
Location: Embassy Hall BC
Presenter: Leslie Marrs

Recenter your body and mind with Leslie Marrs. This gentle yoga session is designed to release tension from travel by car, train, or air. Wear comfortable clothing, bring your mat, and connect with the flute community while enhancing presence, flexibility, and well-being–on and off the mat. 

9-9:30AM - Wellness Warm-Up
Location: Embassy Hall BC
Presenter: Lindsay Leach Sparks

Start your day with movement and mindfulness! Lindsay Leach Sparks blends yoga and meditation techniques to energize the body, calm performance anxiety, and support injury prevention–helping flutists of all levels play with greater ease and focus. 

10-11AM - Problems of the Maturing Flutist
Location: Regency Hall V
Presenters: Stephen Mitchell, MD, Angela McCuiston, Chip Shelton, DDS

Presented by members of the NFA Performance Health Care Committee, this workshop explores health challenges aging flutists may face. Learn practical strategies, exercises, and treatments to support embouchure, joint health, posture, and overall musical wellness throughout your career. 

11AM-12PM - Strategies for Focal Dystonia Recovery
Location: Baker
Presenters: Holly Clemans, Stephanie Mortimore, Tony Watson, and Joanna Cowan-White

Research on focal dystonia, once thought to be a career-ending neurological movement disorder, has brought hope and recovery to musicians. Holly Clemans, Stephanie Mortimore, Tony Watson, and Joanna Cowan-White share diverse paths back to playing with a spectrum of treatment options. 

2:30-3:30PM - Somatic Inquiry
Location: Embassy Hall FE
Presenter: Lea Pearson

Join Lea Pearson for a transformative workshop on using inquiry to support student growth. Discover how asking the right questions can help musicians overcome tension, anxiety, and perfectionism, enhancing performance and easing the teacher’s burden in the process.

3-4PM - NFA Performance Health Care Committee - The Doctor is In: Chip Shelton, DDS
Location: NFA Committees Booth, Exhibition Hall
Presenter: Chip Shelton, DDS

Chip Shelton, DDS and Performance Health Care Committee medical advisory board member, will be at the committee booth to answer any performance health-related questions you may have!

6-7PM - Mindful Flute Etudes: Transform your Playing with Body Mapping and Melody Mining
Location: Courtland
Presenters: Amy Likar and Rena Urso

Amy Likar and Rena Urso guide participants through Andersen Op. 33 Etude #2 using Body Mapping and Melody Mining to foster mindful practice. Explore skeletal melodies, articulation clarity, and whole-body balance to cultivate greater ease, musicality, and expressive freedom in your playing. 

SUNDAY:
8-8:30AM - Yoga for Flutists
Location: Embassy Hall FE
Presenter: Leslie Marrs

Start your day with a joyful, energizing yoga practice that begins with a gentle warm-up, flows into dynamic sun salutations to awaken your body, and ends with a calming cool-down and sweet savasana. Wear comfy clothes, bring your yoga mat, and join the NFA community for this uplifting final-day session with Leslie Marrs!

8:30-9:30AM - Wellness Warm-Up
Location: Courtland
Presenter: Lindsay Leach-Sparks

Join Lindsay Leach-Sparks for an interactive warm-up session. Explore how yoga and meditation techniques can be used as part of your daily warm-up to energize your body, invigorate your playing, calm performance anxiety, and prevent injury. 

2:45-3:45PM - Embodied Performance for Every Body: Body Mapping Open Masterclass
Location: Baker
Presenters: Spencer Hartman, Stephanie Lupo, Rena Urso, Kelly Mollnow Wilson

Join us for a Body Mapping open masterclass that will help musicians improve their technique and unlock their expressive potential. Four licensed Body Mapping educators guide participants through anatomical exploration and movement, offering practical tools for sustainable, efficient musical performance. Participation in this masterclass is first come, first served for up to four flutists total, so be sure to arrive early and bring a piece of music if you are interested in performing!

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. If you are interested in having your question answered and featured in an ongoing advice column published through the Flutist Quarterly, please submit your question here. To learn more about our committee, you can do so by visiting our webpage.