PAM Reflection: Navigating the Intersection of Science and Performance
I am enormously grateful to the Royal Philharmonic Society Enterprise Fund for making this study possible.
Embarking on the journey of pursuing a PgCert as part of UCL's renowned Performing Arts Medicine MSc during the academic year 22/23 was a venture into uncharted territory for me. Surrounded by a cohort of healthcare professionals, including GPs, rheumatologists, and physios, it was a steep learning curve to say the least.
Why delve into this realm? We’re pretty good at teaching our students how to play their instruments or sing, but we devote scant attention to equipping students with the tools for building enduring, healthy, and rewarding careers. Intrigued by the realms of performance psychology and vocal health, I hoped to explore the approach to sustaining musical careers from the side of healthcare professionals. What I hadn’t anticipated was the nuance and relevance at looking at performers occupational health in a day to day manner, and the huge impact considering this could have on wellbeing and peak performance.
The course immersed me in a sea of intricate details. Much of the curriculum focused on distilling research into accessible insights tailored for our primary audience: performers. Whilst research opportunities allowed me to delve into specific areas of interest, particularly the education of student and early-career performers. Importantly for me this work was not exclusive to my professional world as a singer, but incorporated a variety of performers including instrumentalists, actors and dancers.
While commendable research exists, programs like UCL’s Performing Arts Medicine MSc play a pivotal role in educating practitioners on enhancing performers' health. However, bridging the gap between the scientific and performing worlds remains a challenge. Educational institutions and young artist programs need to engage with up to date research and embrace physical and psychological well-being as integral components of performance. By leveraging research, we can empower performers to navigate challenges autonomously and seek timely assistance when needed.
I am thrilled to have been given the Michael Shipley Award from UCL’s Division of Surgery for the high calibre of my work and exemplary interest in performing arts medicine. Dr Shipley was founder of UCL’s PAM course, a Consultant Rheumatologist and volunteer doctor for the ENO Orchestra.
Please get in touch if you’d like to know more or are interested in my work in this field.