Presenter: Gail Berenson
Like athletes, musicians are using their bodies as they practice and perform, spending hours preparing for their moment in the spotlight. Teachers are the first line of defense for a music student, helping to educate students in injury-preventive strategies and offering accurate and sound advice, should an injury occur. This presentation will focus on injury preventive techniques, productive practicing strategies, building a healthy teaching environment, and defining the role teachers play in helping their students remain healthy. Attention will be given toward encouraging students to cultivate a resourceful and imaginative practicing attitude, learning essential time management skills for more efficient practicing and developing a thoughtful working agenda that will enhance their problem-solving abilities.
Gail Berenson, Ohio University Professor Emerita of Piano, is a dedicated teacher, performer, author and noted expert on musician wellness issues. She is the recipient of the 2002 School of Music’s Distinguished Teaching Award and the School of Music’s 2016 Distinguished Service Award. A powerful advocate on musicians’ health issues, she serves as Chair of the College Music Society’s Committee on Musicians’ Health, Chair of ISME’s Musicians’ Health and Wellness Special Interest Group and the founding chair and continuing member of the National Conference on Keyboard Pedagogy’s Committee on Pianists’ Wellness. She also serves as a member of the ISME Forum on Instrumental and Vocal Teaching. Ms. Berenson is one of the co-authors of A Symposium for Pianists and Teachers: Strategies to Develop Mind and Body for Optimal Performance and has authored three chapters for the fourth edition of the Lyke, Haydon, Rollin book, Creative Piano Teaching. She continues to be an active and passionate collaborative pianist, and has performed and lectured in over thirty states and in eleven countries. Past President of Music Teachers National Association, an association of 23,000 members, she was the recipient of the 2015 MTNA Distinguished Service Award. Her students are performing and teaching in independent studios and on college faculties throughout the world. More information can be found at www.gailberenson.com.