071: Piano-Related Injuries with Celeste Watson

In this conversation with Celeste Watson, we explore the challenges of piano-related injuries and how musicians can retrain their bodies for pain-free playing. Celeste shares her personal experience overcoming a playing-related injury caused by hypermobility, offering valuable insights into injury prevention and rehabilitation. With a focus on proper alignment, kinesthetic awareness, and mindful technique, she provides practical advice for teachers working with both children and adults, as well as transfer students struggling with tension and poor technique. Whether you're a teacher or a pianist, this episode offers a wealth of knowledge on building a healthy, sustainable practice.

• Celeste works with musicians recovering from injuries, offering rehab and teaching services.
• She shared about her diverse studio, including private lessons and early childhood music education.
• The importance of proper alignment to prevent injuries.
• She discussed overcoming a playing-related injury due to hypermobility.
• Celeste shared her retraining experience at the Lister-Sink Institute.
• How movement from the elbow, not the shoulder, aids in proper technique.
• The role of proprioception in injury prevention.
• Some challenges in retraining older transfer students with bad habits.
• Celeste discussed teaching young students by focusing on center finger coordination.
• She recommended resources like books and professional guidance for injury prevention.

Links Mentioned

• Celeste's website: Watson Music
• Paula Dreyer's Little Gems for Piano
• Keyboard Games by Marilyn Lowe (Music Moves for Piano)
• Lister-Sink Method
• Book: What Every Pianist Needs to Know About the Body

Today's Guest Celeste Watson has a passion for helping others enjoy music by playing the piano with exciting musically and scientifically-informed technique. After experiencing several playing-related injuries and an intensive period of retraining and rehabilitation, Celeste returned to an active schedule of playing, teaching, and speaking. Playing the piano continues to challenge and grow her both as an artist and as a human being, and she works to help each of her students experience that same joy and growth. About Rachel Ehring Dr. Rachel Ehring is a pianist, teacher, music administrator, and lover of piano teaching gadgets. She holds a DMA in Collaborative Piano from the University of Colorado Boulder and a MM in Accompanying from the University of Kansas. She currently serves as Director at St. John’s Conservatory of the Arts in Orange County, CA. Previously, she held positions at Concordia University Irvine and Henderson State University. Rachel is passionate about empowering music teachers to create engaging and exciting lessons for students of all ages. When she isn’t playing the piano, you might find Rachel reading books with her son or walking her beagle Frieda.

• Visit her website at RachelEhring.com
• Visit her Instagram page: @rachelehring
• Visit her YouTube channel: