What Every Musician Needs to Know About the Body teaches the anatomical knowledge musicians need to correct and refine their individual Body Maps.

Workshop participants view anatomical slides, models, charts, and video to learn the location, size, and function of anatomy. Participants continually apply this knowledge, learning easy exercises to enhance movement, stature, and breathing with Swiss Exercise Balls and Orthopedic Foam Rollers.

MaryJean also works individually with participants to apply Body Mapping principles directly to their performance. Singers, instrumentalists, conductors, and music teachers will see dramatic improvement through correcting and then using their Body Map as they perform.

Workshop Content

Putting Music Training on a Secure Somatic Foundation. Training Musician's Movement by Cultivating an Accurate and Adequate Body Map. Training Kinesthetic Awareness; Sensory Discernment and Responsiveness. Training Inclusive Attention, a Musician's Essential Skill

The Core of the Body and The Six Places of Balance. How to Stand and Sit

Breathing. Mapping the Structures and Movement of Breathing, Including a Dynamic, Lengthening and Gathering Core

Mapping the Arm Structure and the Legs. Your Four Arm Joints and How to Use Them. Whole Body Support for Arm Movement. Leg Movement in Playing and Singing. The Reflex That Gives Us a Spring In the Step, Very Useful for Musicians in Action

Practical Application. Bring Your Instruments

"Bringing awareness to movement begins its improvement"

-- Barbara Conable

"Your workshop was wonderful! Well presented, great information, a warm personality and a good combination of lecture and experiences for us to try. The students responded to you so well. I don't think I could ever hear this information enough. I need to hear it over and over."

Dr. Sarah Holman, Professor of Voice

Wheaton College Conservatory of Music Wheaton, Illinois