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Dancer at the World Performing Arts Festival 2006
Photo © Waheed Khalid
Street entertainer (identity unknown).
Photo © Juliet
The conductor Jesko in performance.
Photo © Jana Hettler
Singer Tina Marsh in performance.
Photo © Michael Fuentes
Yumiko Fukuda dancing at the Prix de Lausanne international competition for young dancers.
Photo © Thierry Jayet
BAPAM’s Manchester GP David Fielding keeps on learning about musicians’ health problems
How a freelance musician is learning to say 'no': Rebecca's story
How being brave and thinking laterally are good for an artist's longevity: Akbar's story
Keep in good health when you're young and you can have a long career in music: Mike's story
Why performers need a specialist service: a guitarist's story
Mark Thistlewood and Simon Chiswell ride over the Alps in aid of BAPAM
‘I had always been aware that unsuccessful auditions are a factor in every actor’s life, but it was affecting me more than usual and I didn’t know why. Since using the counselling service at BAPAM I have been able to cope with the inevitable setbacks that are very much part of this industry.’
PA, Dartington
‘Nobody else had seemed to understand that this is my livelihood, and what seemed like a minor inconvenience to them was earth shattering to me. Thank you for listening and taking me seriously.’
ML, Kent
‘It’s reassuring to know there’s somewhere to go with sympathetic people who understand the needs of performers.’
BH, Guildford
‘Suffering from performance anxiety had robbed me of any pleasure from performing. Although I cannot say that it has totally disappeared, I am getting there and enjoying myself once again. Seeing a BAPAM counsellor who understands the arts has been central to me getting back on my feet.’
BA, Northampton
‘I thought I was helping my playing by practising as much as I could, I have now learnt to make my practice time more constructive and have more time for the rest of my life.’
DM, Bethnal Green
‘30 minutes with a GP! I could talk through my situation thoroughly and really felt that my opinion counted. ’
SJ, Derby
‘I for one need as much moral support as physical treatment, so I found it immensely important to speak with a medical practitioner who knew about musicians, how obsessive they can be, and who liked music as much as me.’
SJ, Salisbury, Wiltshire
‘I fell on stage seven years ago and my back never recovered. BAPAM's physio was the first person to come up with practical ways of helping me.’
Actor, West Country
‘My career would have been over if someone hadn’t told me about BAPAM. Playing was becoming impossible – I was in such pain. The hand therapist I saw at BAPAM showed me how to alter my technique, which changed my life! It helped that she was a musician too – it was like talking to a colleague.’
Tenor sax player, Kent
