C.V. for Paula Brusky
Education
Ph.D. in Bassoon Performance (2005-2009)
Sydney Conservatorium of Music, University of Sydney
Dissertation: Performance related musculoskeletal disorders in bassoon players
M.M. in Bassoon Performance (2003-2004)
Indiana University
Business Cognate Minor (2003-2004)
Indiana University
B.M. in Bassoon Performance, cum laude (1999-2003)
Northwestern University
Music Business Certificate Minor (1999-2003)
Northwestern University
Awards & Scholarships
Endeavor International Postgraduate Research Scholarship (2005-2009)
Australian Government, merit scholarship
David Nhilla Dumbrell Scholarship (2009)
Sydney Conservatorium of Music
International Postgraduate Award (2005-2008)
University of Sydney
Friends of Music Scholarship (2003-2005)
Indiana University
Victor Garwood/Welch Scholarship (2003)
Northwestern University
Margaret E Dadian Scholarship (2002)
Northwestern University
Bassoon Experience - Orchestral
Sydney Chamber Orchestra (2005-2009)
Sydney, Australia
Green Bay Symphony Orchestra (2009-current)
Green Bay, Wisconsin
Collegium Musicum Choir (2008-2009)
Sydney, Australia
Sydney Philharmonic Choir (December 2008)
Sydney, Australia
Indiana University Orchestras (2003-2005)
Bloomington, Indiana
- Chamber Orchestra
- Symphony Orchestra
- Philharmonic Orchestra
- Concert Orchestra
Northwestern University Ensembles (1999-2003)
Evanston, Illinois
- Symphony Orchestra
- Chamber Orchestra
- Philharmonia
- Symphonic Wind Ensemble
- Concert Band
Bassoon Experience - Solo and Chamber
Bassoon Chamber Music Composition Competition
Founding Director and Bassoonist
- Encourage new compositions for chamber groups featuring bassoon
- Confer with leading bassoonists to select winners
- Record winning works for distribution on MSR Classics record label
- Perform winning works in debut concert
Bassoon Quartet (2007)
Pearl Beach, Australia
Colleagues: Kim Walker, Andrew Barnes, Steven Alberti
World Premiere: "Water Spirit Song" by Ross Edwards (10 May 2007)
Sydney Conservatorium of Music, Sydney, Australia
Solo Recitals:
- 16 June 2009, Sydney Conservatorium of Music
- 10 May 2007, Sydney Conservatorium of Music
- 22 May 2006, Sydney Conservatorium of Music
- 2 November 2004, Indiana University
- 2 August 2004, Indiana University
- 8 March 2003, Northwestern University
- 7 April 2001, Northwestern University
- 8 May 1998, Lawrence University
Teachers:
- Andrew Barnes
- Kim Walker
- Arthur Weisberg
- Dennis Michel
- Robert Barris
- Monte Perkins
Teaching Experience
University of Michigan, Ann Arbor MI (23 March 2010)
Guest Lecture: "Pain and Injury Prevention for Bassoon Players"
Butler University, Indianapolis IN (22 March 2010)
Guest Lecture: "Pain and Injury Prevention for Musicians"
Cleveland Institute of Music, Cleveland OH (20 March 2010)
Guest Lecture: "Pain and Injury Prevention for Bassoon Players"
Indiana University, Bloominton (8 February 2010)
Guest Lecture: "Pain and Injury Prevention for Bassoon Players"
Sydney Conservatorium of Music, University of Sydney (2008-2009)
Assisting Senior Lecturer Andrew Barnes
Shore College, Sydney (2008)
Bassoon teacher
- Developed curriculums for rhythm and note reading
The Scots College, Sydney (2007-2008)
Bassoon Teacher
- Arranged popular pieces for beginning bassoonists
Open Academy, Sydney Conservatorium of Music (2 June 2006)
Guest Lecture: "Successful Practice Techniques"
Appleton Area School District, summer program (2001, 2003)
Bassoon Teacher
Voice Teacher
Private Studio (1996-current)
Bassoon Teacher
Reed Making
Research Experience
Sydney Conservatorium of Music, The University of Sydney (2010-current)
Research Affiliate
Injury Prevention Through Effective Practicing
- Increase competence on an instrument while limiting the time spent physically playing
- Optimize body maintenance to improve practice and performance
Intonation is Negotiation – a new pedagogic tool for the bassoon studio (2009)
Sydney Conservatorium of Music, University of Sydney
Colleagues: Dr Helen Mitchell and Senior Lecturer Andrew Barnes
- Improve bassoon students' ability to adjust intonation in ensemble settings
- Develop tool to effectively practice intonation skills on a daily basis
- Evaluate students’ speed of intonation adjustment
Performance Related Musculoskeletal Disorders in Bassoon Players
Sydney Conservatorium of Music, University of Sydney
PhD research area
- Design International Bassoonist Questionnaire
- Recruit participants (n = 212)
- Analysis and interpretation of responses
Postgraduate Associate (2008)
Sydney Conservatorium of Music, University of Sydney
Supervisor: Dean Kim Walker
- Bassoon music library development
Revenue Management Intern (2002)
Chicago Symphony Orchestra
Supervisor: Stephen J. Scully
- Ticket utilization study establishing “no-show” ticket statistics
- Dissertation of findings and suggestions
Publications
Brusky, Paula (In Review). "The High Prevalence of Injury Among Female Bassoonists." Medical Problems of Performing Artists.
Brusky, Paula (In Press). "Bassoon players experience pain relief through Rolfing." The Double Reed.
Brusky, Paula (2009). "High prevalence of performance-related musculoskeletal disorders in bassoonists." Medical Problems of Performing Artists 24(2): 81-87.
Conference Presentations
Brusky, Paula (Accepted 2010). Addressing Injury Prevention While Teaching. The College Music Society. Minneapolis, Minnesota.
Brusky, Paula (Accepted 2010). Creating Opportunities: Launching a Competition. The College Music Society. Minneapolis, Minnesota.
Brusky, Paula (Accepted 2010). Age of Bassoon Players Impacts Performance-Related Musculoskeletal Disorders. Performing Arts Medicine Association. Snowmass, Colorado.
Brusky, Paula (Accepted 2010). Pain and Injury Prevention. International Double Reed Society. University of Oklahoma.
Additional Instruments
Contra Bassoon; Northwestern University (1999-2004)
Vocal Soloist – mezzo-soprano (1995-2003)
- Bel Canto Opera Aria, Junior Division winner (2000)
Conducting (2000-2003)
Piano (1988-1997)
Skills
Computer Fluency: SPSS, EXCEL, Word, PowerPoint, Dreamweaver
Music Technology: Finale, Sibelius, GarageBand
Professional Affiliations
American Federation of Musicians
International Double Reed Society
Performing Arts Medicine Association