About Shawn
Founder of mBODYed. Clarinetist. Somatic educator. Nervous system nerd.
I teach musicians, educators, and creatives to trust their bodies again, through a unique integration of Alexander Technique, Body Mapping, somatic coaching, and trauma-informed pedagogy.
But what I teach is only part of the story.
How I teach is what sets this work apart.
At mBODYed, we don’t rush learning. We don’t override nervous systems.
Instead, we work in partnership with your physiology.
You won’t find bootcamps, quick fixes, or shame-based techniques here.
You’ll find somatic permission, anatomical clarity, and sustainable transformation.
We know (from science and experience) that you can’t release tension until you address the burnout, trauma, or survival strategies that created it.
That’s why this work is slow, respectful, and real. And that’s how we help musicians—and educators—stay whole.
"I wasn’t broken. I was just overworking."
I discovered the Alexander Technique in a free class at a music festival in 1997. As a high-achieving clarinet student, I thought tension was just part of the deal. But one simple movement lesson changed the way I stood, sat, and breathed—and revealed a level of effort I didn’t even know I was carrying.
That discovery led me down a path of studying with theater movement teachers, clarinet pedagogues, and somatic pioneers.
“I learned not only to teach what I know, but also to teach in a way that allows students to actually integrate it.”
Years later, a rare throat diagnosis (Zenker’s Diverticulum) forced me to rethink breath, support, and sound from the inside out. Instead of derailing my work, it deepened it—expanding my empathy, sharpening my lens, and anchoring me more deeply in the science of nervous system resilience.
Today, I bring all of that into every room I enter.
Whether it’s a coaching session, performance class, university retreat, or professional cohort—my work is guided by clarity, compassion, and the belief that every body has wisdom worth listening to.
My Full Bio
Shawn L. Copeland is a pioneer in the fields of musician wellness, trauma-informed pedagogy, and performance training. His innovative, transformational approach to teaching and coaching has positioned him as a multidimensional musician, educator, and entrepreneur. As the founder of mBODYed, LLC, he is reshaping the landscape of arts education through integrative somatic practices that center the body, cultivate safety, and affirm belonging.
Shawn is the creator of Becoming mBODYed—a somatic coaching and training framework designed to help performers, educators, and creatives reconnect with their bodies, reclaim their voice, and embody the dignity of their lived experience. Through individual coaching, group programs, and immersive somatic facilitation, Shawn guides clients and students toward grounded presence, clarity, and self-trust.
An accredited teacher and esteemed clinician, Shawn masterfully integrates the Alexander Technique, Body Mapping, Somatic Trauma Therapy, and Integrative Somatic Coaching. He is internationally recognized for developing trauma-informed, body-based teaching practices that empower people to shift patterns of tension, inhibition, and disconnection. His pedagogy is rooted in the belief that self-belonging is the foundation of artistry and that authentic expression emerges only when the nervous system feels safe enough to risk vulnerability.
Shawn is a highly sought-after speaker and clinician, presenting at conferences, conservatories, and masterclasses across the U.S. He currently chairs the Committee on Health, Access, and Well-Being for the College Music Society, and serves as Chair of the Diversity and Belonging Committee and a Training Mentor with the Association of Body Mapping Education. He also holds leadership roles with Alexander Technique International, serving as a Sponsoring Teaching Member and Executive Board Member.
A published author, Shawn is co-author of Body Mapping for Clarinetists and the forthcoming The mBODYed Breath: Body Mapping, Breathing, Balance, and Belonging—a somatic guide for musicians seeking wholeness in their artistic and embodied lives. His academic credentials include a Doctor of Musical Arts and Master of Music from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro, a Bachelor of Music from Stetson University, and a Master of Arts in Non-Profit/Arts Management from the University of Central Florida. He holds advanced certifications in:
- Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (Cornell University)
- Somatic Trauma Therapy (The Embodied Lab)
- Performing Arts Injury Prevention Education (Performing Arts Medicine Association)
He is a certified Master Somatic Movement Educator and Therapist through ISMETA, and is currently completing the Master Somatic Practitioner Certification with the Integrative Wellness Academy.
Shawn is also an Artist and Clinician for Buffet Crampon U.S.A., González Reeds, and Silverstein Works. With deep integrity, care, and vision, Shawn L. Copeland is leading a new generation of artists and educators to show up in their full, embodied humanity—one breath, one body, one courageous step at a time.
Shawn lives in the Pacific Northwest with his partner and their Goldendoodle Koa. They enjoy hiking, kayaking, PNW wines, and 360-degree views of snow-covered mountains year-round.
A Few Things I Believe
Learning is relational
Breath is a nervous system conversation
Awareness is the beginning of freedom
Your body is not in the way—it’s the way
Growth can be kind, and still transformative
Where You Can Work With Me
Ways to Learn with Shawn:
Community Classes