Health and wellness

Find out more about the support and resources that are on offer for those studying and working in the School of Arts and Creative Technologies at York as well as the wider international performing arts community.

Health and wellness is important for everyone, but it's also vital for those working in the performing arts to consider how their study or work activities may affect them physically and mentally.

We're dedicated to helping those who study and work with us at York to develop the skills needed to sustain a long, healthy and happy career. We strive to help people develop their capability and motivation to be healthy within an environment that promotes healthy practices and cultures.

Current students can use the resources accessible through these webpages to complement the support, services and resources that the University provides to all students.

Student support in the School of ACT

Reading and resources

Student health and wellbeing

Staff health and wellbeing

Musicians’ Health and Wellness (MHW) Group

The ‘Health and Wellness in the School of ACT’ webpages are hosted by the Musicians’ Health and Wellness (MHW) Group. This group is open to staff, students, and instrumental/vocal teachers and was formed in the Summer Term of 2019 to celebrate existing achievements, bring together the individuals already working to promote MHW, and identify ways to make the School an even healthier and safer place to study and work.

MHW Group events for the 2023-24 academic year:

Friday 1st March 2024: How loud do you play/sing? An opportunity for musicians to find out how loud they play or sing and explore ways of promoting safe noise exposure while making music.
Friday 8th March 2024: Musical Celebration for International Women’s Day organised by Dr Liz Haddon with music from the book ‘HerStory’ by Karen Marshall performed by staff and students
Friday 14th March 2024: University Mental Health Day
Friday 15th March 2024: Working hand-in-hand: Piano and Orthopaedics on a road to recovery. This session featured Mr Sunil Auplish (Orthopaedic surgeon) and Dr Jakob Fichert (Professional pianist) in a ‘double act’ show-casing how musicians and medical professionals can work collaboratively in pursuit of healthy musical performance, in particular following traumatic injury.
Monday 13th May 2024: Anti Anxiety Breathing Masterclass. Learn powerful breathing techniques to calm your mind, banish anxiety and promote wellbeing. 2pm, 2:20pm and 2:40pm in the Berwick Saul Treehouse.

MHW Group Members

Many members of the MHW Group are part of the Education, Community, Health, and Inclusion Research Cluster and their activities inform the outcomes of both groups.

The group was founded by Dr Naomi Norton (Musicians’ Health and Wellness Coordinator and MHW Group Chair) so please contact her if you are interested in joining. Below is a list of members for the 2023-24 academic year.

Dr Naomi Norton (MHW Coordinator, Programme leader for MA Music Education: Group Teaching and Leadership, Lecturer in Music Education, MHFAider)
Dr Liz Haddon (Chair of EDI for School of ACT, MHFAider)
Susan Young (Programme leader for MA Music: Vocal Studies, Department Vocal Teacher, Vocal Health First Aider)
Dr Richard Powell (Programme leader for MA Music Education: Instrumental and Vocal Teaching)
Dr Mimi O’Neill (Programme leader for MA: Music, Marketing and Management, MHFAider)
Dr Federico Pendenza (Associate Lecturer in Music Education, Department Instrumental Teacher)
Dr Marianna Cortesi (Associate Lecturer in Music Education, Department Instrumental Teacher)
Catherine Duncan (Faculty Project Manager: Ron Cooke Hub, MHFAider)
Angel Catano Flores (Music Technician, Gamelan Director, MHFAider)
Kate Rose (Open Door Practitioner for School of ACT)
Julie Parker (Alexander Technique Teacher, Life Coach)
Edwina Smith (Associate Lecturer in Music Education and Department Instrumental Teacher)
Dr Alice Masterson (Associate Lecturer in Music)
Dr Mark Hutchinson (Programme Leader for MA Music: Piano Studies)
Dr Catherine Laws (Professor, Performance Supervisors’ Committee)
Emily Crossland (Director of Gamelan Sekar Petak and tutor on the MA and BA Community Music)
Dr Mengyao Zhao (International Officer, MHFAider)
Dr Jenni Cohen (Lecturer in Music Education)
Imogen Creedy (Student Services Administrator: Performance)
Rosie Lynch (PhD student and PG Wellbeing and Mental Health Representative)
Ben Staniforth (UG Wellbeing and Mental Health Representative)
Yaxin Zhang (PhD student)
Blaze Green (UG Student)
Megan Mo (UG Student)
Magdalena Ramirez Martinez (MA student)