New Professional Society Promotes Applied Psychology for Performing Artists
A pioneering group of psychologists, educators, and musicians has formed the Society for Applied Psychological Research in the Performing Arts (SAPRPA), a professional association devoted to multidisciplinary research in applied psychology for performing artists. The society's mission is to advance professional practice in performing arts psychology, with focus on applied psychological research, clinical research and treatment, teaching, advocacy, and public policy. Membership is open to research and clinical scientists, practicing clinicians, practicing musicians and artists, parents, students, and all others interested in promoting better understanding of teaching, coaching, and performance in the arts.
Batavia, IL (PRWEB) November 28, 2006 -- A pioneering group of psychologists, educators, and musicians has formed the Society for Applied Psychological Research in the Performing Arts (SAPRPA), a professional association devoted to multidisciplinary research in applied psychology for performing artists.
The society's mission is to advance professional practice in performing arts psychology, with focus on applied psychological research, clinical research and treatment, teaching, advocacy, and public policy.
SAPRPA aims to advance sound psychological and scientific knowledge that will enhance performance in all the arts while reducing disability from psychological problems among performing artists. In the same way that the Performing Arts Medicine Association (PAMA) addresses the unique biomedical needs of performing artists, SAPRPA focuses on preventing and treating psychological and psychophysiological problems that can undermine or threaten the careers of performing artists.
Ultimately, the organization hopes to integrate the results of psychological research and psychophysiological techniques into common, everyday practice in all aspects of the performing arts. SAPRPA will also provide tools for disseminating the products of research to the larger community of psychologists and artists, including a peer-reviewed journal, professional conferences and seminars, and online resources including monitored online forums for college and high school students.
Founder and President Marcie Zinn, who holds a Ph.D. in psychology from Illinois Institute of Technology, is certified in piano, piano pedagogy, and music theory by the Music Teachers National Association (MTNA).
According to Dr. Zinn, "At the current time, curricula in arts and music pedagogy can do little to train teachers in developmental psychology, performance issues, motivation, learning, and other issues. What's more, students with psychological problems are largely considered unteachable and are not offered many choices in music education. To address these questions, psychologists have begun doing basic and applied research within the performing arts, but until now, there has been no formal support of their efforts within the United States. The Society for Applied Psychological Research in the Performing Arts fills the need for such a professional alliance."
Founding member Robert Schleser, Ph.D., is a leading researcher in sport psychology whose interests extend to the performing arts. Dr. Schleser, professor of psychology at Illinois Institute of Technology, is a charter member of the American Psychological Association's division of sport psychology.
Another prominent founding member of SAPRPA is Daniel Pollack, famed concert artist and professor of keyboard studies at the University of Southern California. Mr. Pollack serves as the organization's artistic advisor.
Other members include research psychologists, medical doctors, and healthcare providers in clinical settings; performing arts professionals in the fields of dance, music, and theater; teachers of the arts in studios and schools; and parents of children studying the performing arts.
Membership is open to research and clinical scientists, practicing clinicians, practicing musicians and artists, parents, students, and all others interested in promoting better understanding of teaching, coaching, and performance in the arts.
Founded in 2005 and organized as a 501c3 not-for-profit corporation, the Society for Applied Psychological Research in the Performing Arts is located at 3 East Wilson Street, Batavia, IL 60510. For detailed membership information, visit http://www.artspsych.org or phone SAPRPA headquarters at 877-761-8230.
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