7 of 8 Theme 1: Re-thinking Philosophical Assumptions - Giulia Ripani
Giulia Ripani’s presentation challenges music institutions to radically rethink the philosophical foundations of health education. She advocates shifting from a narrow focus on symptom management to a holistic, justice-centered approach that honors the diverse cultures, experiences, and knowledge systems that musicians bring. Ripani calls for epistemic pluralism and collaboration, where health is a shared responsibility among faculty, health professionals, and students, and where students become co-creators rather than passive recipients. Health education in music should be woven into the fabric of institutional culture, grounded in care and justice, and aimed at transforming schools from mere performance sites into true communities of wellbeing and inclusion. This powerful, centered philosophy is designed to ignite conversation and action, making healthy, caring, and just music schools the new standard.