About Shawn

With an entrepreneurial spirit and a wealth of teaching experience, Shawn is a sought-after clinician, captivating audiences at masterclasses and conferences nationwide. He currently chairs the Committee on Health, Access, and Well-Being for the College Music Society, reflecting his unwavering commitment to these essential values. As a training mentor and Chair of the Diversity and Belonging Committee with the Association of Body Mapping Education, he actively promotes inclusion and equity in the arts. His influence extends to leadership roles in Alexander Technique International, where he serves as a Sponsoring Teaching Member and on the Ethics Advisory Committee.

An accomplished author, Shawn is the co-author of Body Mapping for Clarinetists and the highly anticipated The mBODYed Breath: Body Mapping, Breathing, Balance, and Belonging. He boasts an impressive academic background. Shawn is an approved Master Somatic Movement Educator and Therapist in the International Somatic Movement Education & Therapy Association and a Certified Integrative Somatic Practitioner from Integrative Wellness Academy. He holds a Doctor of Musical Arts and a 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. Additionally, he has earned advanced certificates in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion from Cornell University, Somatic Trauma Therapy from The Embodied Lab, and Performing Arts Injury Prevention Education from the Performing Arts Medical Association.

Shawn is a Performing Artist and Clinician for prestigious brands such as Buffet Crampon U.S.A., Gonzalez Reeds, Inc., and the Silverstein Group. With his remarkable passion and depth of knowledge, Shawn is genuinely reshaping the future of performing arts!

Shawn L. Copeland is a pioneer in the fields of musician wellness and performance training. His innovative, creative, and transformational approach has set him apart as a multidimensional musician, pedagogue, and entrepreneur. His unique methods have established him as a leader, culminating in the founding of mBODYed, LLC, a company that is reshaping the landscape of performance training for musicians, actors, and dancers.

An accredited teacher and esteemed clinician, Shawn masterfully fuses the Alexander Technique and Body Mapping with an array of somatic modalities, including Somatic Trauma Therapy and Integrative Somatic Coaching. His journey into this holistic world began in 1997 at the Brevard Music Center, igniting a lifelong passion for inclusive and dynamic teaching. He believes that the body is an integral part of the creative process, and he cultivates nurturing spaces where individuals can explore their full potential. His unique pedagogy validates lived experiences and champions growth, having transformed the lives of countless musicians struggling with performance-related challenges.

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.