Healthy Musicians? No!

By Sarah Dahnke in Arts & Entertainment on Nov 9, 2007 6:35PM

Yesterday we learned that almost all of us have toxic chemicals hanging out in our bodies, and artists and musicians are no exception to the rule. Visual artists are often exposed to harmful chemicals on a long-term basis. Musicians risk hearing loss and/or vocal chord strain after a long career playing in loud clubs. And both groups risk repetitive motion disorders such as carpal tunnel.

The upcoming Musicians at Work forum at the Cultural Center addresses the health issues specific to, well, musicians, and will include a panel of experts who will discuss how to prevent some of the most common and disabling disorders common to those in the music profession. Panelists will include Laura Kessler, a creative career coach, music director, teacher, writer and performer; Chris Lyons, Product Marketing Manager at Shure Microphones; Alex Maiolo, from the HINT Project and Future of Music Coalition; Michael Santucci, President of Sensaphonics. The panel will be moderated by David Hinkamp, Co-Director of the Health in the Arts Program at
UIC, which operates on the mission to diagnose, treat and prevent arts-related disorders.

If you think the term "healthy musicians" is an oxymoron, this panel is definitely for you.

The next Musicians at Work panel takes place from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. on November 19 at the Chicago Cultural Center.

"Carrot Rock" graphic created by Alex from The Post Family.