Injury Prevention
Eastman Well-Being
Health Promotion supports the unique needs of the undergraduate and graduate students on the Eastman School of Music campus. We collaborate with Eastman Performing Arts Medicine Center to provide customized well-being programs and injury prevention initiatives for Eastman students on topics such as hearing conservation, practice room warm-ups, proper ergonomics, as well as yoga and meditation for musicians. This web page serves as a resource hub for all initiatives, programs, and services which support Eastman student well-being.
Injury Prevention
Ergonomics Lending Library
The Ergonomics Lending Library is housed at the Performance Ergonomics Laboratory, and consists of stock ergonomics devices for musicians at Eastman to test before making a purchase. To request a trial of a device, contact Sue Callan-Harris.
Studio Visits
A critical element of becoming a complete musician is understanding how to practice and perform well, which includes your physical and mental well-being. Our goal is to extend performance enhancement from the physical therapy clinic to the concert hall.
Our UHS Physical Therapist will be offering studio class visits to interested parties. Each session will include:
- Guidelines for clinically-informed, evidence-based practice strategies.
- Ergonomic screenings and instrument-specific correction.
- Education on performing arts medicine and musician health.
- Instrument-specific warm up and cool down.
- Session is led by either our Alexander Technique specialist or one of our Physical Therapist.
- Hearing conservation education and resources.
- Ongoing support for musicians.
Interested studio teachers can book a session for their studio class with Susanne Callan-Harris or Katie Fittipaldi.
Performance Progressions Guidelines App
With University Health Service IT, the Performance Progression Guidelines App has been added to the EH page on the University Health Service website. Introduced at the Performing Arts Medicine Association World Symposium in London in 2024, the app provides valuable feedback to the performer on practice guidelines.
Adaptive Keyboard
Endorsed by world-renowned pianists, UHS Physical Therapy and ESM have collaborated to bring an adaptive keyboard to the Eastman School. This keyboard has modified hand span options, which encourages ergonomic ease and may increase muscular endurance – allowing students the ability to practice more comfortably. The HPO will provide access to guidelines for the adaptive keyboard use and hand health strategies.
Wellness Programming
Hearing Health
Musicians are frequently subjected to loud sound for an extended period of time. We promote active and safe hearing health practices, including hearing screenings and use of musicians earplugs.
There are recurring and free hearing screenings for ESM community members (students, faculty, and staff). Appointments take 10-15 minutes, are confidential, and results are shared immediately afterward. Upcoming dates are announced in Eastman Weekly.
High-fidelity earplugs are available to all Eastman students, free of cost. Regular use of high-fidelity earplugs while practicing, performing and listening to music may protect you from the cumulative effects of overexposure to loud sounds throughout your life (Etymotic Research). Stop by the Office of Student Life for your free set!
Paws for Stress Relief
Come pet the pups! Paws for Stress Relief brings therapy dogs to campus for students to spend some time with. Health Promotion also provides educational information, fun activities, and stress-relief giveaways such as lavender sachets or stress balls. Upcoming Paws events are announced in Eastman Weekly and can be found on CCC.
Promotion of Physical Fitness
Through a collaborative effort between the Eastman School of Music and the YMCA at Innovation Square, students can purchase a discounted monthly membership for $35. Less than a five-minute walk from the SLC, the YMCA at Innovation Square is a dynamic facility with ample weight room, cardio, and studio elements.
Students can also utilize the Goergen Athletic Center (GAC) on the River Campus, which houses the Bloch Fitness Center, the Speegle-Wilbraham Aquatic Center, and a variety of other fitness facilities. There is no additional cost for students to access the facilities at the GAC.
Yoga
This year, Eastman students have three convenient options for joining yoga sessions to relax, manage stress, and improve well-being:
- Yoga at the River Campus – Leibner Cooper Room, Goergen Athletic Center
- The University of Rochester provides daily free yoga classes at the Goergen Athletic Center. Mats and props are included. You can choose from a variety of class styles, like Vinyasa Flow or Gentle Yoga. To register and see the full schedule, visit the Goergen Athletic Center website.
- Transportation: Take the free Red or Orange line school shuttles from Eastman to the Goergen Athletic Center (approximately a 25-minute ride). Find the shuttle schedule here. Classes are free for all full-time students.
- Yoga at Innovation Square – YMCA at Innovation Square, 100 South Clinton Ave., Suite 250
- Eastman students can get a discounted $35/month membership at the YMCA located at Innovation Square, just a 9-minute walk from campus. This membership gives you access to various weekly classes, including Yoga, HIIT, and Zumba, as well as gym facilities and personal training. To join, visit the YMCA at Innovation Square with your student ID. For more details, visit the YMCA website.
Mental & Physical Health
Physical Therapy
Physical Therapy services are available at both the Eastman School of Music Office on Tuesdays and Thursdays and the UHS River Campus Office throughout the school year. Services include one-on-one evaluations and treatment sessions with physical therapists experienced in the management of orthopedic conditions, performance related musculoskeletal disorders, hypermobility, concussion, TMJ injuries and pain conditions. Our PTs provide assessment of the nature of the injury, manual therapies, modalities, postural and ergonomic assessments, as well as exercise prescription for recovery and prevention of injury. Through the process of recovery from an injury, students learn self-care and performance enhancement strategies to reduce the risk of reinjury.
The URochester Student Health Insurance Plan (Aetna) provides coverage for physical therapy with a $10 co-payment at the time of visit. If your health insurance does not cover these charges, you will be financially responsible. Call UHS at (585) 275-2662 to make an appointment.
Primary Care
University Health Service (UHS) Primary Care office is located in room 106 of the Eastman School of Music Student Living Center. Hours of operation change throughout the year and can be found here. Call UHS at (585) 275-2662 to make an appointment.
University Counseling Center
University Counseling Center (UCC) office is located in room 107 of the Eastman School of Music Student Living Center. Hours of operation change throughout the year and can be found here. Call UCC at (585) 275-3113 to make an appointment.
Health Promotion
Health Promotion staff are available at Eastman campus every Wednesday during the academic semester in room 107 of the Eastman School of Music Student Living Center.
Meet the Team
The Eastman Student Well-Being Team includes staff from Health Promotion, UHS Primary Care and Physical Therapy, and Eastman Performing Arts Medicine. In addition, we have current Eastman School of Music undergraduate and graduate students who support a variety of well-being programs and initiatives.
Courtney Earle, CHES®
Manager, Health Promotion Initiatives
Sue Callan-Harris, MS, PT, CLT
Physical Therapist, University Health Service
Gaelen McCormick, MMUS
Director, Eastman Performing Arts Medicine
Zhilin Zhang
Program Assistant
James Graziano
Peer Health Educator