Online course teaches sustainable practicing for musicians to support long-term wellbeing
How can musicians practise effectively without overloading themselves? And how can physical and psychological risk factors be identified before they lead to problems?
Launching in autumn 2026, the Musician’s Health online course is one of the new educational initiatives developed within the European IN.TUNE alliance. The course has been created by Päivi Arjas, Lecturer in Performance Coaching at the Sibelius Academy, Uniarts Helsinki, and Karolina Sawicka, doctoral researcher at the University of Music and Performing Arts Vienna (mdw). Focusing on sustainable practice habits, the course invites students to explore topics such as developing healthy practice routines and effective practice techniques, preventing playing-related injuries, and understanding how stress and psychological strain affect the body.
Arjas emphasises that the connection between body and mind is inseparable in a musician’s work, and that musicians’ health and wellbeing encompass far more than physical fitness alone.
“Stress is often a contributing factor to physical problems, while a physical issue can become a significant psychological burden for a musician or music student. That is why it is important to pay attention to healthy and sustainable practice habits already during one’s studies, particularly in preparing for long and sustainable careers in the future.”
Towards healthier careers in music
The course combines expert video lectures, independent assignments, group Zoom sessions and collaborative small-group work. Throughout the course, students will work on a practice diary and reflect on their working methods together. Behind the course lies a broader ambition: to help future professionals build long, healthy and sustainable careers in music.
“Information is available everywhere nowadays. What really matters is helping students turn knowledge into action and discover new ways of practising.”
According to Arjas, attitudes towards musicians’ health have changed significantly at least in Finland over recent decades. Issues such as playing-related injuries and chronic pain were once rarely discussed, whereas today they are addressed far more openly, with greater emphasis placed on prevention.
“Freelance musicians are often in a particularly vulnerable position, as they may not have access to occupational healthcare services or organisational support. This course provides the fundamental knowledge and understanding of what musicians’ health means and how that knowledge can be applied in professional practice.”
European alliance creating space for new approaches to teaching
The aim of the IN.TUNE alliance is to develop new European models for higher education in music and the arts. Musician’s Health, which will be delivered at the end of 2026, is one of the alliance’s new joint educational initiatives for the autumn term. The course will be offered entirely online and will bring together 20 students from member institutions of the IN.TUNE university alliance.
The course provides an opportunity to test innovative pedagogical approaches that combine expert knowledge, peer learning and international collaboration.
“This is one of IN.TUNE’s key ambitions: to create new formats for international teaching and to develop pedagogical approaches that serve the needs of future students,” says Arjas.
International expertise from Vienna and Helsinki
Vienna is home to an entire research institute dedicated to musicians’ health. Finland, meanwhile, has a long tradition of collaboration between specialists in music medicine, physiotherapists and musicians.
“We now have a valuable opportunity to bring together the latest research findings and practical pedagogical expertise in the field.”
The collaboration benefits both partners.
“We have received a great deal of feedback from Central Europe highlighting the particular strength of Nordic higher education institutions in developing practice-based teaching. At the same time, we are able to draw on our partners’ unique expertise and infrastructure in the field of music medicine.”
IN.TUNE – Innovative Universities in Music & Arts in Europe is the only European university alliance dedicated specifically to music and the arts. The alliance brings together eight prestigious universities from across Europe, representing more than 10,000 students and over 4,000 staff members. Together, the partner institutions develop joint educational programmes, world-class research and innovation activities, promote flexible mobility opportunities, and strengthen engagement with society. The University of the Arts Helsinki leads the alliance’s research collaboration activities.