The CEERRF was present at the Healthy Musicians conference held from December 7 to 9, 2023, at the university of Nice.
This conference targeted researchers as well as the general public and focused on the health of musicians. Physiotherapists, ENT doctors, occupational psychologists, researchers in social sciences, ergonomists, occupational therapists, anthropologists, and many others joined forces to better understand musicians’ health and propose research perspectives for musicians’ health, and perhaps more broadly, for performance artists in France.
Representing the CEERRF, Céleste Rousseau (a physiotherapist specialized in musician pathologies, with a doctorate specifically addressing the prevention of musculoskeletal disorders in orchestral musicians) spoke about the development of specific scapular stabilization exercises for violinists and violists. These works were conducted in 2018 at the University of Sydney for her Master’s degree, in collaboration with Dr. Bronwen Ackermann. Dr. Ackermann, a physiotherapist and associate professor, is one of the leading international researchers on the health and performance of musicians and was the guest of honor at the “Healthy Musicians” conference. During the conference, she delivered a one-hour lecture on key elements to sustain musicians’ health in the most durable way, emphasizing that their practice often starts at a very young age.
Dr. Ackermann will also be giving a lecture at CEERRF for third-year students on February 5, 6, and 7, 2023, addressing the health of performance artists and exploring the connections that can be forged between athletes and artists.
Various other themes were addressed, such as notions of collective work, intention to leave one’s job (which is lower among musicians than in other professions), preventive actions that can be taken in orchestras, conservatories, and all institutions playing a role in musician training or employment. Functional dystonia was also discussed from a more holistic perspective, letting musicians themselves speak and investigating their relationship with the instrument and this very particular and anxiety-inducing condition. COVID-19 was frequently mentioned, given its influence on the cultural world and, consequently, the employment of musicians. Finally, Emmanuel Bartaire, an ENT specialist working, among other things, with the National Orchestra of Lille, discussed the various auditory disorders suffered by musicians and potential solutions to these challenges.
Participation in this conference reflects our ongoing commitment to artists’ health. Céleste Rousseau made a significant contribution by presenting innovative solutions for preventing musculoskeletal disorders in musicians. This enriching experience only strengthens our educational mission, providing our students with unique learning opportunities at the intersection of research and practice. The CEERRF’s presence at such events demonstrates our dedication to providing our students privileged access to the latest developments in the field of artists’ health. We take pride in playing an active role in shaping the next generation of healthcare professionals, contributing to the continuous flourishing of the world of music and performance.
