In a world of crescendos and fortissimos, Wellness Week at SFCM taught students the power of the pause. 

Presented by SFCM’s Students Affairs team and Professional Development and Engagement Center (PDEC), the last week of February was met with more than a dozen different activities meant to help students harmonize their body, mind, and soul.

Therapy dogs visit SFCM during Wellness Week.

"Our students are like top-performing athletes,” Director for Student Development and Belonging Madison Roesler said. “In order to perform at their best, we need to look at their well-being holistically, including physical, emotional, and social areas of wellness.”

Activities through the week varied from mental health activities like a therapy dog visit, mindfulness meditation, and motivation classes, to physical wellness like injury prevention, yoga, and even a group hike to Lands End in San Francisco. “When all these aspects are balanced, our students can thrive both artistically and personally, enhancing their overall quality of life,” Roesler added. 

Students pose in front of the Golden Gate Bridge.

Lands End is a coastal trail that offers stunning views over the famous Golden Gate Bridge as well as the peace and quiet of simply being in nature. The trail is just a short train or bus ride from SFCM.

SFCM's Director of Counseling Services Revi Airborne-Williams was also on hand to help any students in need. Airborne-Williams encourages young people to learn coping skills to manage stress as early as possible to create a healthy physical and mental outlook. "Small changes can make a big difference. Ask yourself, 'How’s your sleep? Are you eating regularly?' You need to take short breaks in your day and check in with yourself, do something to rest and rejuvenate your mind and body,” she said. 

“Mindfulness is like a secret superpower for musicians,” said Matthew Worth, voice faculty who helped lead the workshop. “It helps us stay present, quiet the mental noise, and truly connect with our music. When we tune into the moment, we unlock deeper creativity, ease performance jitters, and make music that feels more alive and authentic.”

Matthew Worth and Revi Airborne-Williams lead a mindfulness workshop.

In addition to looking after students’ minds and bodies, Wellness Week also featured the inaugural SFCM Style Swap, where organizers collected new and gently used concert black stage and formalwear in preparation for auditions, concert engagements, and young artist programs for students to shop through. “This aspect of our industry can often be cost-prohibitive for young emerging musicians and PDEC looked for ways to remove this barrier for entry as our students launch their careers,” said Kristen Klehr, the assistant dean of PDEC. “Thank you to our larger SFCM community for donating their new or gently used concert black, gala gowns, and formal suits; we hope to host this annually going forward!” she added. 

A student at the Style Swap with SFCM's Director for Student Development and Belonging Madison Roesler.

The Office of Student Affairs is a resource for students, from housing, to activities to academics, with the goal to make SFCM feel like home. And while a musician’s life is full of tempo changes, Wellness Week encouraged everyone to slow down for a beat.

Therapy dogs visit students in the Bowes Center.

Learn more about life on campus at SFCM.