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University Health Service
Office of the Provost

Eastman Well-Being

The Health Promotion Office 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 Training Intensive

The Ergonomics Training Intensive (ETI) is a four-session program with the goal of training students to employ healthy practice strategies. Students will perform movement, postural, and ergonomics screenings on themselves and their peers and develop instrument-specific correction methods. By increasing awareness of issues pertinent to the 21st Century musician, the Ergonomics Training Intensive provides performance enhancement strategies as well as concepts for increasing career longevity.

This intensive runs once per semester and is taught in-person by UHS Physical Therapist Sue Callan-Harris and HPO Prevention Coordinator Jack Earnhart. In the fall 2024 semester it will be offered on Wednesdays from 7:00 – 8:00 pm, September 18th to October 9th. Registration will be collected via email to Jack Earnhart. Those who successfully complete all sessions will receive a certificate of completion, free ETI apparel, and CV credit.

Students who complete the Ergonomics Training Intensive will be recognized as Wellness Ambassadors, and will be able to offer ergonomic screenings and adjustments to their peers.

Performance Ergonomics Laboratory

The Performance Ergonomics Laboratory (PEL) engages in the consultation, prototyping, design, and manufacturing of custom ergonomic and adaptive devices for musicians. The lab is located in the University Health Service Physical Therapy Office in the Student Living Center. It contains structured light scanning, along with additive and subtractive machinery to enable even the most complex requirements. The PEL is also home to the Eastman Ergonomics Lending Library.

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 Jack Earnhart.

Studio Visits

A critical element of performance translational research is ‘teaching future teachers to teach themselves’. Our goal is to extend performance enhancement from the clinic to the concert hall.

The UHS Physical Therapist and HPO Prevention Coordinator will be offering ten studio class visits, per semester, to interested parties. Each session will include a combination of:

  • Guidelines for clinically-informed practice strategies including use of the Performance Progression App.
  • Ergonomic screenings and instrument-specific correction methods.
  • Education on performing arts medicine and musician health.
  • Instrument-specific warm up and cool down.
  • Session with either Alexander Technique specialist or Physical Therapist.
  • Hearing conservation education and resources.
  • Ongoing support for students in your studio.

Interested studio teachers can book a session for their studio class with Jack Earnhart. Slots are extremely limited and will be filled on a first come, first serve basis.

Colloquium Visits

The UHS Physical Therapist and HPO Prevention Coordinator will be offering two undergraduate colloquium sessions entirely to performing arts health and wellness.

The colloquium sessions will include a combination of:

  • Guidelines for clinically-informed practice strategies including use of the Performance Progression App.
  • Ergonomic screenings and instrument-specific correction methods.
  • Education on performing arts medicine and musician health.
  • Instrument-specific warm up and cool down.
  • Hearing conservation education and resources.
  • Ongoing support for students in your studio.
  • Guest speaker Jennifer Miceli, PhD, Certified Wellness Coach (September)

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 this summer, 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

As musicians, students 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 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 to be announced.

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. This monthly program occurs on Thursdays from 6–7:15 p.m. at Eastman School of Music. The Health Promotion Office also provides educational information, fun activities, and stress-relief giveaways such as lavender sachets or stress balls.

Promotion of Physical Fitness

This year, additional emphasis will be placed on promoting physical fitness to Eastman students. 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 brand-new, dynamic facility with ample weight room, cardio, and studio elements.

Students can also 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 Eastman – Dean’s Dining Room, Student Living Center
    • Eastman offers free yoga sessions every Tuesday and Thursday at 6 PM. Yoga blocks are provided; just bring your own mat or purchase one for $5. No registration is needed—simply walk in and enjoy.
  • 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

PT services are available at both the UHS River Campus Office and the Eastman School of Music Office on Tuesdays and Thursdays 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 UR Student Health Insurance Plan (Aetna) provides coverage for physical therapy with a $10 co-payment at the time of visit. If your health insurance doers not cover these charges, you will be financially responsible. Call UHS at (585) 275-2662 to make an appointment.

Meet the Team

The Eastman Student Well-Being Team includes staff from the UHS Health Promotion Office, UHS Primary Care and Physical Therapy, and Eastman Performing Arts Medicine. In addition, we have two Graduate Assistants who are current Eastman graduate students.

Amy McDonald, MS

Director, UHS Health Promotion Office

Sue Callan-Harris, MS, PT, CLT

Physical Therapist, University Health Service

Gaelen McCormick, MMUS

Director, Eastman Performing Arts Medicine

Jack Earnhart, BM
Prevention Coordinator

Jack is a Master’s of Arts degree student in the Music Education (Professional Studies) program. He has special interests in adaptive technologies for musicians, orofacial performance physiology, and the completion of translational research to provide performers and pedagogues with novel data to enhance their teaching artistry. Earnhart is currently spearheading a series of collaborative studies to better understand facial muscle activation and exertion in brass instrument performance.

Zhilin Zhang
Program Assistant

Zhilin is a second-year Ph.D. student in Music Education at the Eastman School of Music. She serves as the Health Promotion Program Assistant for Eastman Performing Arts Medicine and UHS. With her expertise in music and education, Zhilin is dedicated to fostering wellness at Eastman, guiding students to develop healthy habits for sustained well-being. Additionally, she is passionate about collecting health data and conducting wellness research to effectively enhance student wellness in a sustainable manner.