Presenter: Dr. Christine Guptill
Webinar goals:
- Identify health-related factors that influence practicing: intensity, duration, work-rest ratio, stress, and diet;
- Explain the impact of sleep, caffeine, and alcohol on performance and practicing;
- Apply concepts of goal setting, deliberate practice, visualization, planning, and reflection;
- Utilize the sports concepts of periodization and tapering in practice planning.
Although much effort is often invested in schools of music to help students produce their best sound and technical ability, little time is typically invested in injury prevention, including practice strategies, and how best to prime the body and mind for practice and performance. This presentation will employ principles of ergonomics and literature from cognitive science and sports medicine to support performance and prevent injuries. This will help attendees and their students achieve the best musical outcomes with appropriate mental and physical preparation.
Dr. Christine Guptill is Assistant Professor in Occupational Therapy at the University of Alberta. Her program of research focuses on musicians’ health, which she investigates using an occupational health perspective. Dr. Guptill holds a BMus (oboe performance) from Western University in London, Ontario, where she studied with Ian Franklin, former principle oboist with Orchestra London Canada. She has served on the Board of Directors for the Performing Arts Medicine Association, and as Chair of Education and Vice Chair of Research. She was a founding member of the Health Advisory Team at National Youth Orchestra Canada (NYOC). In 2012, she was awarded a Queen’s Diamond Jubilee medal for her work with NYOC. In her spare time, she continues to perform as a freelance oboist.