Overview
Comprehensive training in physical, mental and psychological skills for peak performance, to build a successful and sustainable career, prevent and reduce risks of injuries, enhance well-being, and develop performers’ potential.
Performance Health and Well-being is a comprehensive course for developing physical, mental and psychological skills for peak performance, to build a successful and sustainable career, prevent and reduce risks of injuries, enhance well-being, and develop performers’ full potential. Specifically, the course aims to:
- Equip performing students with a comprehensive understanding of optimal performance, integrating physical, mental, and psychological aspects.
- Develop the physical, mental, and psychological skills needed for a fulfilling and injury-free performance career.
- Prevent injuries, enhance overall well-being, and empower students to reach their full potential as performers.
- Provide an understanding of biomechanics and strategies that promote power, ease, and freedom in musical performance.
- Build focus, concentration, and mental resilience to manage performance anxiety and boost confidence.
- Strengthen self-motivation, foster a positive self-image, and cultivate a mindset for long-term success in the performing arts.
About this paper
| Paper title | Performance, Health and Well-being |
|---|---|
| Subject | Music |
| EFTS | 0.1500 |
| Points | 18 points |
| Teaching period | Not offered in 2026 (On campus) |
| Domestic Tuition Fees ( NZD ) | $1,318.20 |
| International Tuition Fees | Tuition Fees for international students are elsewhere on this website. |
- Prerequisite
- 54 200-level points
- Restriction
- MUSI 479
- Schedule C
- Arts and Music
- Eligibility
MUSI 379: 54 200-level points
MUSI 479: 72 300-level points
Contact spa@otago.ac.nz for information about special approval.
- Contact
Contact the School of Performing Arts office at spa@otago.ac.nz
- More information link
Contact the School office for more information or visit our website.
- Teaching staff
Course coordinator and teacher Dr Heleen du Plessis
- Teaching Arrangements
Lectures: Presentations, demonstrations, active participation, questions, discussions - 36 hours
Workshops: Practical Implementation of skills, strategies/practice/feedback/instruction. - 3 hours
Terms: Because it is an integrated course that involves practical training, demonstration and feedback it is recommended that you to attend all classes. 75% attendance is required for students to meet terms.
- Textbooks
No textbooks are required.
- Course outline
Contact the School office for a copy of the most recent course outline.
- Graduate Attributes Emphasised
- Interdisciplinary perspective, Lifelong learning, Scholarship, Communication, Critical thinking, Self-motivation, Teamwork.
View more information about Otago's graduate attributes. - Learning Outcomes
By the end of the course, students will have:
- Gained contextual knowledge of scholarly literature on music performance, health and well-being.
- Formulated strategies for preventing and recovery from injury in music performance.
- Developed skills for enhancing muscular awareness, control and retraining of effective movement patterns.
- Developed strategies to analyse and develop resilience, focus, concentration, and deal with performance anxiety.
- Used self-reflective, self-monitoring techniques to recognise and adapt mental and physical behavioural patterns.
- Assessment details
Reflective Journal 20%
Group presentation 20%
Annotated bibliography 20%
Reflective Essay 40%