Jennifer Johnson: How Body Mapping Transforms the Way We Play and Live
Conversations with Musicians, with Leah Roseman
11/02/25
•75m
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This week’s episode is a personal one for me, since Jennifer Johnson has been helping me gain more ease and comfort in violin playing and living in general. An understanding of Body Mapping will help you whether you play an instrument, sing, or simply go about your daily life. Jennifer Johnson is a violinist, film maker, and the author of several books including “What Every Violnist Needs to Know About the Body”. She’s an internationally sought-after Master Teacher and Teacher Trainer in Body Mapping and is renowned for her expertise in helping musicians to move according to the design of their bodies to prevent playing injuries and promote ease.
I also wanted to shine a light on Jennifer’s film Music, Movement & Transformation: The Body Mapping Story, which is partly a beautiful tribute to her inspiring mentor Barbara Conable.
I’m sure you’ll find this conversation with Jennifer is full of actionable tips and insights to help you, including some of the best advice about dealing with stage fright that I’ve ever heard.
Complete show notes: including links for Jennifer's film, her website, my newsletter, podcast merch and linked episodes with transcript and video.
(00:00) Intro
(01:59) string quartet career, injury, Alexander Technique, meeting Barbara Conable, Body Mapping
(11:05) Body Mapping, common mismappings
(17:29) transformations, stories of Body Mapping success
(25:50) film "Music, Movement & Transformation: The Body Mapping Story”, Duane Andrews, Murat Eyuboglu
(36:51) other linked episodes, ways to help this series
(37:36) worldwide community of Body Mapping educators
(41:23) Jennifer’s books, backwards walking, 6 places of balance
(53:04) humero-scapular rhythm
(58:39) film, Barbara Conable quotes, instrument-specific books
(01:04:16) stage fright advice
(01:10:44) how to teach Body Mapping to children
photo: Colette Phillips
Previous Episode
Agalisiga Mackey: Cherokee Language, Alive in Song
October 25, 2025
•66m
Cherokee singer-songwriter Agalisiga “The Chuj” Mackey shares the story behind his debut country-folk album, created entirely in the Cherokee language with producer Jared Tyler. He discusses language revitalization, the Cherokee syllabary, immersion schools, and the impact of boarding schools. Agalisiga also reflects on Indigenous history, cultural preservation, and his musical influences—showing how traditional language and contemporary music can keep a culture thriving.
Show notes: bring you to other episodes you'll like, newsletter sign-up to get sneak peeks, podcast merch, buy me a coffee, YouTube video, and transcript!
(00:00) Intro
(02:39)Cherokee culture and language
(10:11)When I was a Boy Tsitsutsa Tsigesv
with clip
(13:24) developing Cherokee language and culture app
(17:31) forced relocation Trail of Tears
(22:00) Agalisiga’s elders, legacy of boarding schools
(28:55) Tiny Desk experience, clip Daganigisi (I’m Gonna Leave)
(32:18) other episodes linked and ways to support this project
(33:05) Sequoyah’s Syllabary, Cherokee sounds and culture
(41:33) musical influences, clip of Gatlohiha (I’m Crying)
(48:19) Bringing the language into the present, creating the album, Jared Tyler, clip of Dvkiyohiselvi (I Shall Be Released)
(57:47) Anvdvnelisgi ᎠᏅᏛᏁᎵᏍᎩi album
(59:16) family, learning Spanish
(01:02:11) bringing the culture into the present
Next Episode
Michael Stephen Brown: Composer and Pianist with Album Preview Twelve Blocks
November 9, 2025
•66m
Michael Stephen Brown is both a fantastic pianist and composer, and in this episode you’ll be hearing some excerpts from his upcoming album Twelve Blocks, which is a very personal project for him of chamber music and solo piano pieces. You’ll hear the stories and personal connections with each of these works that he’s composed. He shared his experiences at several inspiring arts residencies including living in Aaron Copland’s house unplugged from the internet, his close friendship with the late Shirley Perle, and his research into Felix Mendelssohn’s relationship with Delphine von Schauroth and her compositions. We talked about the importance of removing the stigma from getting therapy and providing more affordable access to mental health support to those in the performing arts through his support of Creative Care. and his longstanding collaboration with cellist and comedian Nick Canellakis; you’ll also be hearing a clip of one of their performances. At the core of this interview are Michael’s broad interests and how he reflects his curiosity and love of storytelling in his creative work. There’s lots more to this in-depth episode, and all the music you’ll be hearing is composed by Michael; have a look at the show notes for all the links.
Photo: Sofian Kahn
(00:00) Intro
(02:31)learning composition and piano from age of 5, teachers Rothgarber, Julliard, Lowenthal, Adler
(06:16) 12 Blocks with clip, Ursula Oppens, Jerome Lowenthal
(08:32) more previews of 12 Blocks with clips, Osmo Vänskä, Erin Keefe, Yaddo residency, Lake Alan, Love’s Lives Lost, Susanna Phillips, SPA trio, Paul Neubauer
(18:35) inspiration from poetry and personal relationships, clip Breakup Etude for Right Hand Alone
(21:45) McDowell artist retreat, Carnival of Endangered Wonders
(29:23) Andràs Schiff mentorship
(31:05) Delphine von Schauroth and Felix Mendelssohn
(34:55) other linked episodes and how to support this series
(35:50) Aaron Copland residency
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