Unlocking Musical Potential with Science: Survey

A note from Michael Furse-Phillips: I've known Mookie since our days at conservatoire - her research into this important area has the potential to positively impact the lives of musicians and those who know them. That this has coincided with the release of Hold the Line is helpfully coincidental. If you are a musician, please do give a few moments of your time to compete this survey. Thank you.  MFP

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I’m Mookie Lee-Menuhin, a concert pianist who recently became a cognitive neuroscientist in parallel. 

My journey has been unconventional, and yet, I suspect it mirrors the experiences of many musicians in some way. Like many of you, I’ve lived through the highs and lows of a life devoted to music—the joy of performance and creation, but also the psychological and physical challenges, and the relentless pressures of our field.

These experiences have shaped me, both as a musician and an individual. They’ve also ignited my passion for understanding the brain and its potential to help us overcome challenges, unlock hidden potential, and live more balanced lives as musicians.

Why this survey matters
Across the classical music world, many of us share common hurdles:

• Mental health struggles: Classical musicians experience significantly higher rates of anxiety and depression compared to the general population (1,2,3,4)*.
• Physical strain: Long hours of practice often lead to chronic injuries like musculoskeletal disorders and mental fatigue (5,6)*.
• Performance pressure: The competitive nature of the field drives chronic stress and burnout (7)*.
• Job insecurity: With over 70% of musicians freelancing, irregular income and minimal job security are the norm (8)*.
• Limited opportunities: Only 20–30% of conservatoire graduates secure stable positions in the field (9)*.
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This survey is about you.

Your voice, your experiences, and your dreams as a musician are vital. The insights you share will guide future research and help develop tools to support musicians—not just to survive but to thrive.

The survey will take just 10–15 minutes, and your responses are completely confidential and anonymous. By participating, you’ll be contributing to a movement of creating meaningful, science-based solutions for the challenges musicians face and to creating a brighter, more sustainable future for our community.

Thank you for lending your voice to this important cause. Let’s take this step forward together.

Warmly,
Mookie Lee-Menuhin

Please click on this link to take the survey. Thank you.