SPARC (Support to Promote Research and Creativity) Graduate Research Fellowship program funds extensive education in body mapping
There is an intricate relationship between a person’s physical anatomy and musical instruments, and graduate student and adjunct guitar instructor Alma Sehic aims to learn and teach an innovative technique called “body mapping.”
Sehic is a recipient of SPARC (Support to Promote Research and Creativity) Graduate Research Fellowship program, created last year to promote research and scholarly activity pursued by graduate students. Spanning all disciplines at USC, SPARC grant recipients are required to write a grant proposal, and faculty reviewers select the proposals to be awarded up to $5,000 for a research or creative project.
Body mapping is a highly advanced technique designed for upper-level musicians who want to better understand the relationship between anatomy and movement and use that knowledge to enhance their playing abilities as well as reduce tension and risk of injury while playing.
SPARC will fund Sehic’s extensive education in body mapping and subsequent studies of movements specific to guitar playing. She will undergo years of training in this technique to approach the end goal — being certified to teach a course for other musicians and educators alike.
“Once you understand your own anatomy, you can discover misguided movements and habits in playing,” Sehic said. “After a personal injury in my left hand, I recognized the need for education in physiology of movement for musicians all over the world.”