BAPAM deliver expert health and wellbeing services in the performing arts. Our events give artists, creators, technicians, teachers, and organisers the knowledge they need to improve health and enjoy sustainable careers.

Join our free online Community Drop In and:

• Embed health and wellbeing strategies into your creative toolkit
• Learn new skills with guest coaches and speakers.
• Set goals
• Take part in peer discussion and support in a safe space facilitated by an experienced BAPAM clinician

Our Community Drop In is hosted and facilitated by BAPAM GP, Dr Pippa Wheble, who specialises in performance and mental health and is also a violinist and singer.

After over a year of lockdowns, quarantines and restrictions, the performing arts industry is able to start planning a return to performance. Performing artists will once again carry their instruments and equipment to rehearsals and shows and perform for hours at a time. It is therefore very important to gradually build up physical fitness for this return to the stage.

Guest coach: Dr Sarah Upjohn

Sarah qualified as a physiotherapist from the Bristol School of Physiotherapy in 1983 and has gained extensive clinical and educational experience. She has worked with musicians, actors, dancers and other arts professionals at BAPAM, the Purcell School and in her own practice since 2008. In 2019 she completed an education doctorate at Cambridge University where her thesis was about increasing awareness of risk factors for playing-related injuries in elite young musicians. She is a keen double bass player and singer.

In 2008 she began working part time at The Purcell School for Young Musicians, treating playing related injuries. In 2011 she joined the first cohort of Doctorate of Education students at the University of Cambridge. Her doctoral research involves developing an injury prevention, health promotion and performance wellness programme within the school.

She has been a BAPAM physiotherapy practitioner since 2008, and has extensive experience, and a particular interest in, treating instrumental musicians.