empower your students
On-Site Health & Wellness Clinic for Marching Arts Ensembles
Submit your email below for our pricing and detailed clinic format
There’s no such thing as “just a band director”.
Of the many hats you wear, let us take “health professional” off that list.
Submit interest form below to get started
How it works
Our clinics provide a premier educational experience centered around team-based training in a positive learning environment during 1-2 rehearsal days.
The structure of our flagship one-day clinic follows this general format:
Morning Block: Immersive Workshop for Section Leaders
Afternoon Block: On-Field Training with Full Ensemble
Evening Block: Regular Rehearsal with On-Field “Health Tech” Support
Pedagogical Approach:
Our clinics follow a "teach the teacher" method by empowering student leaders with the tools they need to reinforce healthy habits learned all season long.
They learn how to “tech” posture, identify warning signs of a mental health crisis in their teammates, and how to create a psychologically safe section culture that enables peak performance - on and off the field.
Services Provided:
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Students learn the essentials of injury prevention and other key concepts in a brief classroom-style presentation with engaging visuals. This is also where the positive and energizing tone is set for the day!
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Just like learning drill and music, it’s all about reps reps and more reps to help students build these healthy habits into their regular routine!
Students learn a 10 minute dynamic warm-up routine, practice healthy posture with and without instruments, and learn proper body mechanics for marching and choreography on the field.
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Students have access to Amanda one-on-one throughout the day to discuss any pain they are having for guidance on treatment.
Depending on Amanda’s assessment, she may provide treatment on the spot, recommend bracing/splinting, recommend at-home management strategies, and/or refer to the appropriate healthcare provider for further assessment and treatment.
Amanda also works with the student/staff to determine a safe way to keep the student on the field (if possible) by modifying playing/marching loads. Education is provided to staff to ensure student safety. The purpose is to keep the student on the field during rehearsal without increasing risk for injury (or exacerbating existing injury).
This is also a time when many students come to Amanda for emotional support about an injury they’ve been dealing with or for recommendations on how to cope with a psychological or cognitive challenge they’ve been facing. Amanda is able to provide recommendations for how neurodiverse students can overcome sensory, emotional, or cognitive challenges to be able to perform at their highest level.
Students learn more than just warm-ups and strengthening exercises - they also walk away with the skills and confidence they need to contribute to an ensemble culture of psychological safety, inclusion, and musical excellence.
What students have to say:
“I will be a much stronger leader and now have tools to help my freshman cope with stressors during camp.”
“I actually felt energized for rehearsal!”
“My back feels 10x better already.”
“Today felt REAL. It made me feel like I'm in a band where the staff actually cares about you.”
hear from directors:
Director, Michigan State University Spartan Marching Band
Dr. David Thornton
“…whether it’s mental or physical wellness, we have found that [the clinic] has been incredibly beneficial for the betterment of our students and overall program, and how well we perform on a regular basis.”
Samantha Barringer
Drum Major, Spartan Marching Band
“When I came in to the band, all we did was static stretching and a lot of us got hurt.
Last year, Amanda and I worked on a better warm-up routine and there were significantly less injuries.”
why work with amanda?
Over a decade of experience performing and teaching at the world-class level in the marching arts (DCI, WGI, and BOA finalist)
Performing Arts Medicine and Rehabilitation Specialist with advanced training in injury prevention and mental health for performing artists
Unique perspective as a female percussionist and neurodiverse practitioner with a background in occupational therapy and psychology
Amanda Watson, OTR/L
Founder, Clinic Instructor