Embodiment of Expression: Healthy Approaches to Making Music at the Keyboard

The Department of Organ at the University of Michigan School of Music, Theatre & Dance will host its annual Organ Conference on Monday, October 5, 2026.

Please join us October 5 for presentations and performances, including:

• Melissa Plamann, organist, performance coach, and author of Unnerved: the Performer’s Guide to Managing Anxiety
• Barbara Lister-Sink, creator of the critically acclaimed DVD on piano technique, Freeing the Caged Bird: Developing Well-Coordinated, Injury-Preventive Piano Technique
• Bruce Edwards and Allie Heckman, Michigan Medicine audiologists
• Lexie Muir-Pappas, Michigan Medicine occupational therapist

Plus…

• A faculty organ concert with Nicole Keller, Caroline Robinson, and Joseph Gascho at Hill Auditorium
• A student organ recital at Hill Auditorium
• A student carillon recital at Lurie Tower

2026 Symposium Schedule

Monday 10/5/2026

Earl V. Moore Building, 1100 Baits Dr. Ann Arbor, MI 48109

9:15-10:15 Presentation: Melissa Plamann
“Unnerved: Managing Performance Anxiety”

10:30-11:30 Presentation: Bruce Edwards and Allie Heckman, Michigan Medicine audiologists

11:30 Lunch on your own at Pierpont Commons

12:00 Carillon concert at Lurie Tower

1:15-2:15 Presentation: Barbara Lister-Sink
“Will the Caged Bird Ever Be Free? What Organists Need to Know to Prevent Playing-Related Injury and to Maximize Musicality”
Part 1- Defining Core Principles of Good Biomechanics at the Organ

2:30-3:30 Presentation: Lexie Pappas, Michigan Medicine occupational therapist

3:30-4:00 Coffee break, social time with presenters

4:00-5:00 Presentation: Barbara Lister-Sink
“Will the Caged Bird Ever Be Free? What Organists Need to Know to Prevent Playing-Related Injury and to Maximize Musicality”
Part 2- Applying Core Principles of Efficient Biomechanics to Organ Repertory

5:00 – 6:00 Panel Discussion

8:00 U-M Faculty concert at Hill Auditorium (Central Campus)