Living with Embouchure Dystonia
A blog about a French horn player's journey with Focal Embouchure Dystonia; one of the only existing documentations of rehabilitation through videos and writing spanning over a decade. This blog shares resources, research, and information on FTSED and other music performance related injuries. Katie also advocates awareness, education, does presentations, provides guidance; and brings the musicians dystonia community together thru online groups, streamed interviews and conversation.
Wednesday, May 4, 2022
Tuesday, May 4, 2021
Monday, May 3, 2021
Friday, April 23, 2021
Friday, April 16, 2021
Sunday, April 11, 2021
Saturday, April 10, 2021
Tuesday, March 30, 2021
Weston Sprott, trombonist with The Metropolitan Opera Orchestra and Dean of the Preparatory Division at The Juilliard School on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in Orchestras
Bravo!!
Wednesday, March 24, 2021
TwoSet on Mental Health (Bravo for speaking out!!!!)
Monday, March 22, 2021
TwoSet Violin: Dark Side of Profession (Bravo for speaking out!)
🙌 Bravo Twoset Violin!!! 👏👏👏👏 I'm so proud of you for speaking out about this. It takes a lot of courage, but definitely important for our profession to start being more transparent about where corruption, maltreatment, and misconduct takes place, and in what ways (big or small).
If the classical music profession values cultural integrity so much, then why are we allowing certain people in power to overstep boundaries, divide us through exclusivity (rather than unify through inclusivity), and abuse or test their power through manipulation and influence? Our profession was meant to bring people together, to impact the public through our expression, and instill the value and necessity of the arts within culture, education, and society. If we are such an important backbone to society and want to preserve our art, then why do we create more ill-intent and alienation among ourselves? ......whether that's political corruption in our profession, misconduct, maltreatment, discriminating by gender, age, nationality/diversity (e.g. some orchestras favor solely international applicants, and exclude residents or local applicants; where others clearly lack diversity in a questionable way), etc., even though it may be written in fine print. And most importantly, the fact that we do not provide educational support in the areas of workplace/institutional misconduct, injury, legal contracts, lawsuits, and how to create inclusivity among the workplace. Does the classical music profession subtly hint at an underlying tendency towards coercive control? We've allowed so much to go on in the dark, swept under the rug, hush-hush, all out of fear of loss of reputation or judgement; and most of it is ourselves plotting against each other, rather than propelling our profession forward in a healthy and sustainable way. We've built a system that's worked against us, not for us. And yes, part of it is the role of capitalism at play and the competitive nature of our profession, and our love of recognition for our status, but think back in history....it's pretty interwoven throughout our profession. Is there not another way? Have we forgotten the true meaning of our art? Yes, corruption takes place every day, and it's not avoidable. The world, including our profession will never be a perfect or safe workplace. But the least we can do, is prevent it as much as possible....which I honestly think we haven't fought hard enough to do; to simply take care of one another. To prevent our students and others from being taken advantage of. The least we can do is be honest about the ugly truths, as well as the benefits, and educate each other on controversial issues within our profession, and what to do when in the middle of such situations. So that way, we at least show we care about one another, have some sense of integrity, and create a better workplace/profession with inclusivity and transparency for future generations to come! I love our profession, otherwise I wouldn't care to write so much on the topic of the dark side. However, I don't think many musicians have the strength and courage to address controversial topics in the classical music profession; big or small....out of fear for various reasons. Yet almost every other profession requires an understanding of controversial issues or social activism in their profession (ex. music education, the medical field) and the ability to critically think and speak on such topics.Friday, February 26, 2021
Thursday, February 4, 2021
Tuesday, January 26, 2021
Saturday, January 23, 2021
Thursday, January 21, 2021
Sunday, January 17, 2021
Friday, January 15, 2021
Sunday, January 10, 2021
Upcoming: Musician's with Dystonia and Injuries Live Talks 2021!!!
Get ready!!! The Musician's Dystonia & Injury Live Stream Series is going to be presenting new guests soon!!! Looking forward to doing interviews with musicians and friends all over the world who want to share their journey and advocate for music performance-related injuries.
If anyone else in is interested in being interviewed, just PM me and I'll get it organized! 💕📯