Musika at Ginhawa at UP Diliman

Last March 17 and 18, 2025, the University of the Philippines College of Music, in partnership with the Philippine General Hospital (PGH) Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, hosted Musika at Ginhawa: A Holistic Health Symposium for Music Teachers and Students. This pioneering event brought together experts, educators, and students to spotlight health and wellness in the music profession.

A highlight of the symposium was the presence of Dr. Kris Chesky, an esteemed professor from the Peabody Conservatory and Johns Hopkins Medicine Bloomberg School, who shared his expertise in performing arts medicine and advocacy for musician health.

The two-day event was structured to cater to the unique needs of two key groups in the music community: music educators on Day 1 and music students on Day 2. Both days featured interactive lectures, panel discussions, and practical sessions designed to address the often-overlooked physical and mental health challenges faced by musicians.

Topics covered during the symposium included:

• Introduction to Performing Arts Medicine

• Creating a Healthy Environment for Musicians

• Healthy Mindset for Teachers

• Helping SWANs (Students with Additional Needs)

• Mental Health and Well-being

• Hearing Health for Musicians

• Musculoskeletal Injuries in Musicians

• Warm-up Exercises and Injury Prevention

• Ergonomics for the Classroom and Studio

• Policy and Curriculum Integration of Musicians’ Health

  
  

A panel Q&A allowed attendees to engage with experts and peers, raising questions and discussing solutions that resonated with their own teaching or learning experiences.

Musika at Ginhawa emphasized the need for a holistic approach to music education—one that nurtures not just musical excellence but also the physical, mental, and emotional well-being of both teachers and students. It served as a call to action for institutions to integrate health education and preventive care into the fabric of music training.

As the first event of its kind in the country, Musika at Ginhawa marked an important step toward sustainable, health-conscious music practice in the Philippines.

Photos c/o Dr. Jennifer Yang