Helping Performers Thrive—On and Off The Field
Performance-Focused Health and Wellness Education for the Marching Arts
Welcome!
At The Well Musician, our philosophy is simple—when musicians feel better, they perform better.
Our Story: Meet Amanda
Hi, I’m Amanda.
I’m a percussionist, occupational therapist, and founder of The Well Musician.
The marching arts gave me some of the best—and worst—experiences of my life.
Alongside incredible opportunities came problematic instruction, toxic group dynamics, and injuries that still impact me today.
In graduate school, I realized there was a better, smarter way to achieve excellence in this activity.
As a drumline instructor, I began experimenting with research-backed strategies from sports science and performance psychology.
The results were powerful: students were more focused, energized, and confident. We got more out of every rep and they retained more between rehearsals.
And so, The Well Musician was born.
I didn’t have the tools to change the activity then. Now I do.
And so—The Well Musician was born.
I am determined to share these tools with the marching community to help shape a safer pathway for future performers—one that leads to peak performance through member well-being.
Turns out, we can still get really good at what we do without sacrificing our health along the way.
Welcome to the movement.
As a band director, you wear enough hats already.
Between teaching music, cleaning drill, developing leaders, and the million other things you do, wellness can feel like one more thing on an already impossible list.
Here’s the truth: mental and physical wellness is a powerful—often untapped—tool for maximizing ensemble performance caliber.
Our workshops teach performers practical tools to:
+ Train their bodies and minds for peak performance
+ Care for their physical and mental health throughout the season
+ Be a better teammate/leader and foster a healthy, high-performing ensemble culture
This season, let us take “health professional” off your list.
Bring The Well Musician to your Program
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Item description
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Introductory Workshop: Essentials of Health & Performance for the Modern Marching Band: Practical Tools for Students
Description: Designed as a 101-style course, this workshop is perfect for bands interested in an introduction to mental and physical strategies to improve performance, reduce injury risk, and improve member experience.
Format: Virtual or In-Person
*Workshops exploring specific topics of interest, such as performance anxiety, instrument/section-specific injury prevention, or staff training, also available.
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A comprehensive educational experience integrating multiple dimensions of health and performance into one immersive instructional block.
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Personalized consultation to help directors integrate health, wellness, and performance strategies into their music program.
“Whether it’s mental or physical wellness, working with The Well Musician has been incredibly beneficial for the betterment of our students and overall program, and how well we perform on a regular basis.”
—Dr. David Thornton, Director, Michigan State University Marching Band
Through engaging workshops rooted in performing arts medicine, sports science, and performance psychology, we help marching bands get better faster by teaching performers how to train smarter, cope with stress, and be better leaders.
Rooted in Clinical Expertise. Built for Bands.
Trusted by the Best: Hear From Clients
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We've worked with The Well Musician for the past few years and have had great feedback from our members as well as our staff. Amanda is very knowledgeable around several areas and has worked with us to build out a comprehensive approach to participant health, including both physical and mental wellbeing. As a result, our staff and participants have been better prepared to handle injuries and non-emergency situations and have seen a dramatic decrease in mental health-related incidents/issues. Several of our older members have commented that they wish this was something available to them earlier on in their marching/performance careers as a resource. We as an organization have also seen better overall participant satisfaction, which I believe is directly contributed to the work we've done with The Well Musician.
Alex Barann–Program Coordinator, Motor City Percussion
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Our students found their recent workshop with Amanda incredibly valuable. Not only does she address common physical injuries and how to avoid them through awareness and preparation, but she also offers a totally unique and much-needed perspective around the wellness of the whole person - mentally and physically. This is an area of the performing arts that has only recently begun to be properly addressed, and there is so much value in this work. We truly believe that a long-term relationship with Amanda and her program will pay dividends in improving our members' wellbeing and performance in the future.
Katie Hanka–Program Coordinator, Redline Percussion
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Amanda's teaching style is positive, engaging, and caring—all of our students love working with her. Her clinic has been an invaluable addition to the MSU Performing Arts Camp, serving high school students around the country.
Jon Weber–Director, MSU Drumline, MI
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Amanda's passion to help us incorporate healthy habits into our music-making has already had a positive impact on our program. She kept the entire group engaged with thought-provoking questions, interactive activities, and practical content.
Mike Clemente, Director of Bands, WinterPark High School, FL
Ready for stronger students?
Submit the interest form below and a member of our team will reach out to you within 48 hours.
The Well Musician Blog
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Check out The Well Musician Blog for free educational content packed with practical tools you and your students can start using right away.
