BAPAM deliver expert health and wellbeing services in the performing arts. Our events give artists, creators, technicians, teachers, and organisers the knowledge they need to improve health and enjoy sustainable careers.
Three-quarters of musicians have health problems that can impact their creative work, ranging from minor inconveniences to career-limiting conditions (Ackermann, Kenny 2014). Many of these conditions could be prevented by healthy practice.
This session focuses on evidence-based practical skills and draws from performance experience, research findings, psychology, and proven vocal health clinical pathways. Participants will learn how to avoid vocal problems and identify the signs and symptoms if they do occur, how to manage issues, promote good health, and where to go for help.
Trainer: Sarah Wright-Owens BSc (hons) SLT, GBSM
Sarah works as a Vocal Rehabilitation Coach and Singing Teacher and is a qualified Speech and Language Therapist. She is a visiting lecturer at the University of Birmingham and Royal Birmingham Conservatoire. Sarah is a registered practitioner with the British Association of Performing Arts Medicine and the Vocal Consultant at the Professional Voice Users Clinic for the University Hospital, Birmingham. She has been running a Singing for Lung Health group supported by the British Lung Foundation for several years and also performs with an early music ensemble. She is currently researching Muscle Tension Dysphonia in singers.
Research looking at health issues within the performing arts workforce consistently finds that 70-75% of our population report both mental and physical health problems, which is much higher than the national average. We are lucky to be working with a number of health and wellbeing experts who can offer training to performers across the UK, with the aim of reducing the levels of poor health and supporting performers to have a sustainable career. Working with our partners in Equity, Musicians’ Union, Help Musicians UK and Performing Arts Education Providers – who are very kindly giving us free use of training venues – we are expanding our national training programme supporting healthy performance in the UK.