Barbara Lister-Sink created and now directs and is the primary instructor in America’s first and only fully accredited Professional Certificate Program in Injury-Preventive Keyboard Technique at Salem College. In an artistically inspired, academically rigorous, and scientifically informed 7-course curriculum, the Certificate Program covers all aspects of understanding, acquiring and teaching injury-preventive technique, including an in-depth study of keyboardists’ injuries, causes and cures. Students enrolled in the Certificate Program come from throughout the United States, as well as abroad (including Japan, Canada, England and South America) and include the following:

• piano and organ students during “gap” years between degrees who want to acquire injury-preventive technique and enhance their artistry
• students with playing-related injuries who need to take a year off to rehabilitate and rebuild well-coordinated, injury-preventive technique
• professional pianists and organists who are injured or technically impaired
• independent teachers or college professors on sabbatical who wish to enhance their own technique and expand their ability to teach well-coordinated, injury-preventive technique

The courses are taught in the Salem College School of Music, one of America’s oldest NASM-accredited music schools. The topics covered are:

• biomechanics of injury-preventive, well-coordinated keyboard technique
• pedagogy of injury-preventive keyboard technique
• keyboardists’ injuries
• Alexander Technique
• applied lessons and the application of technique to compelling artistry

One of the strengths of the Program is the stimulating interaction among the various students and professionals. They study and perform in wonderful performing arts facilities (which include state-of-the art biofeedback equipment, outstanding concert instruments and, most recently, 7/8/ and 15/16 size pianos) on a uniquely beautiful campus. Salem College is in the middle of the renowned 18th-century village of Old Salem and within walking distance of culturally rich, arts-friendly Winston-Salem, City of Arts and Innovation. Proximity from Piedmont North Carolina to the Great Smoky Mountains and the Outer Banks further enhances the total living and learning experience.

A limited number of scholarships is available, and the total tuition for the entire Certificate Program is $5000. Lodging and living in general are relatively inexpensive in Winston-Salem. Due to the intensive, hands-on, individualized nature of the training, the Program is limited to 15 participants per semester.

In addition, students in the Program have access, if needed, to a carefully built team of health-care professionals (including orthopaedists, neurologists, physical therapists, massage therapists, chiropractors, Alexander Technique instructors and complementary health practitioners) that is particularly sympathetic to the myriad injuries and challenges that pianists and organists experience.

For details of courses and their content, costs, scheduling options, application process, instructional delivery options and contact information, please read further.

Click here to read more:

• Curricular Outline & Course Descriptions
• Click here to download a printer-friendly PDF of the Salem College Professional Certificate Program Press Release.
  
• For more information about becoming a Professional Certificate Program student click here to visit the Salem College Website.