Getting physically injured can temporarily stop or permanently end a music career. My guest Angela McCuiston, founder of ‘Music Strong’, has developed a specialty career in fitness training and rehabilitation exercises for music makers of all kinds. Listen to this interview to hear Angela and I discuss some vital fitness strategies that can improve muscle balance, endurance and strength. A musician herself, Angela understands the stresses of our vocations and the stakes involved!
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Topics we discussed:
Angela McCuiston is a NASM-CPT, CES, SFS and CETI-CES (Certified Personal Trainer and Corrective Exercise Specialist, Senior Fitness Specialist and Cancer Exercise Specialist). She is the owner of Music Strong, a business that specializes in personal fitness training for musicians.
Her studies include Alexander Technique, Barbara Conable’s Body Mapping, and Eva Amsler’s Dynamic Integration as well as Neurokinetic Therapy.
Winner of the 2007 NFA Piccolo Master class, Angela received her Master of Music in Flute Performance from Florida State University and her Bachelor of Music in Flute Performance from Tennessee Technological University. Angela is Assistant Principal/Piccolo of Sinfonia Gulf Coast of Destin, Nashville Philharmonic, Columbus Symphony and Nashville Flute Choir. Joining the military soon after 9/11 she recently recently transferred to the
313th Army Band in Huntsville, AL, after completing a 16-year tenure in the 129th
Army Band in Nashville, TN.
In addition to her solo performances, she has performed with such celebrities as Kristen Chenowith, Pink Martini, Jamie Bernstein, Morgan James, Chris Mann, Nancy Griffith and Mary Wilson of the Supremes.
Recently she was sought out by the Old Guard, Army
Fife and Drum Corps as a special consultant to prevent playing related
injuries. She has been sought out for numerous other positions including
becoming a provider for MusiCares (A musician’s wellness division of The
Recording Academy: the Grammy’s) and completing her 4-year appointment as Chair
of the National Flute Association Performance Health Committee. In August 2020, Angela also joined the faculty at Trevecca Nazarene University in Nashville, TN as professor of flute.
In February 2019 she published her first book: The Musician’s Essential Exercises, and recorded over 20 instrument specific workouts available for download. She also offers a comprehensive workout program she calls ‘The Covid Comeback’ for musicians coming off a long hiatus from playing.
Most recently, she has transitioned her focus into building a musician’s wellness center in Nashville, TN. The center seeks to be the first of its kind, bridging the gap between traditional and holistic medicine, offering comprehensive and concierge wellness care for musicians.
Find Angela at:
What about you?
Have you ever had to consider stopping (or been advised to stop) your music making because of physical issues? I’d love to know your story… please comment!
Denise Wakeman says
This is a great niche. I imagine injuries happen frequently, especially when performing.