Everyone involved with the project possesses an inner strength that comes from knowing who they are and how they want to exist in their own body.

Brianna Matzke is a graduate student in piano performance who begins to notice slight tremors. After seeking medical advice, she is diagnosed with Essential Tremor (ET), a common neurological condition causing involuntary shaking.

In this piece, she talks about the relief and the fear that comes with diagnosis: the comfort of knowing what's going on with her body, paired with the fear of not being able to make art.

Cue TREMOR, a project she launches where she collaborates with other Disabled artists and composers who explore themes of Disability and human imperfection.

TREMOR challenges classical music's focus on virtuosity and embraces the beauty of embodied strength and self-knowledge.

You can read more about Brianna and her journey below!

“I Didn’t Notice My Hands Were Shaking:” Making Essential Music with Essential Tremor

Brianna Matzke shares how her Essential Tremor diagnosis inspired a series of music and art commissions for The Response Project: TREMOR.

I CARE IF YOU LISTENBrianna Matzke

Thank you for being here. 💚

For Deaf and Disabled artists: All of our services are available for free when you join and create a members account on our directory here. If you’ve already done that, ignore this message!

For everyone else: Consider upgrading to a paid plan to help us keep this going! We'll send you updates on accessible events and opportunities and more.

If you don't like getting daily emails from us, no hurt feelings, you can opt-out by scrolling to the bottom and clicking "manage subscription."