Overview of Musicians’ Health

This session will give an overview of musicians’ health concerns for the high school music student, including hearing protection, proper posture, and effective warm-up techniques.

Principles of hearing protection will be discussed along with ways to mitigate risk for hearing damage. The importance of a healthy posture will be reviewed and basic principles of body mapping and Alexander Technique. Students will be introduced to warm-up exercises to use prior to practice or performance. Healthy habits for optimal practice sessions and performances will also be discussed.

Western Pennsylvania native Amy Baker began her study of the bassoon while in high school under the tutelage of Mark Pancerev. Ms. Baker earned her Bachelor of Music degree in performance from the Cleveland Institute of Music, studying with David McGill, Ronald Phillips, and John Clouser. She continued her musical education at Cleveland State University and studied with Jonathan Sherwin. Ms. Baker graduated with her Master of Music degree with a concentration in music education from Eastern Kentucky University. She is an active chamber music performer in the tri-state area. She is a member of the woodwind quintet Cincopation which has performed in various venues in the Pittsburgh area including the Westmoreland Symphony Chamber Music Series and the Bach, Beethoven, and Brunch series. She appeared as a guest artist with the Academy Chamber Ensemble in 2019 and the series was featured on WQED-FM’s Performance in Pittsburgh. Also active as a orchestral musician, Ms. Baker is the second bassoonist/contrabassoonist with the Westmoreland Symphony and principal bassoonist with the Academy Chamber Orchestra. She was recently appointed principal contrabassoonist with the Johnstown Symphony Orchestra and has performed with many other orchestras and ensembles in the area.

Ms. Baker is passionate about teaching and has served as the bassoon instructor at Slippery Rock University since 2010. In addition to maintaining a private studio, she has also served on the faculty of Seton Hill University and the Cleveland Music School Settlement Summer Music Camp.

Ms. Baker is also a registered nurse and is an advocate for musician health and wellness. She is a member of the Association of Rehabilitation Nurses and the Performing Arts Medicine Association.