American Music Therapy Association

Address risks associated with singing and playing instruments as a professional musician. Share and practice strategies, tips, and tools to prevent problems, alleviate symptoms, and decrease risk of injury. Find ways to increase tolerance and resilience for the physical, vocal, and mental demands of being a music therapist. Identify ways to advocate for music therapists who have dealt with injuries and disabilities unrelated to music therapy and how to make the profession more inclusive and representative. A signed waiver will be required for participation; look for it in early October.

Presenter(s): Melissa Spiess, MM, MT-BC; Brianna Larsen, MA, MT-BC

4 CMTE-credit course

Learning Objectives

Objective #1: Participants will identify common overuse injuries of the body and voice. Domain V. B. 12. Objective #2: Participants will learn two techniques to adapt their voice or instrument for reduced injury risk and/or help with recovery. Domain III. A.5.f.1-6, g, o, cc. Objective #3: Participants will identify three ways to support their own mental health. Domain V. B. 12. 
Objective #2: Participants will identify two techniques to adapt their voice or instrument for reduced injury risk and/or help with recovery. Domain III. A.5.f.1-6, g, o, cc.

Schedule

• 5 minutes - Introduction and Overview
• 40 minutes - Background on Injuries in Musicians
• 20 minutes - Background on Injury Prevention for MTs
• 20 minutes - Experientials - physical and vocal warm ups
• 15 min break
• 30 minutes - Impact of General Self-Care on Physical and Vocal Health, Philosophy for General Self-Care and Resilience, Habit Formation
• 20 minutes - Experientials - General Self-Care
• 15 min break
• 20 minutes - Forum to identify ways to advocate for music therapists who have dealt with injuries and disabilities unrelated to music therapy
• 20 minutes - Forum on how to make the field more inclusive and representative
• 15 minutes - Q & A and resource sharing
• 10 minutes - quizzes and evals