Dr. Phillips Center Joins Forces again with The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra presenting STROKESTRA®
- The stroke rehabilitation program harnesses the therapeutic power of music to drive patient-led stroke recovery-
- STROKESTRA® is supported by AdventHealth, Florida Blue, the Pabst Steinmetz Foundation and the American Friends of the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra. -
ORLANDO, Fla. (September 28, 2023) – The Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts will once again partner with London's Royal Philharmonic Orchestra to bring STROKESTRA® to Orlando in a multi-year commitment with four residency programs per year. The first is taking place from October 3 to October 6 at the Dr. Phillips Center in the Pugh Theater, the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra members will lead Orlando-area stroke survivors through rehabilitative creative music-making, culminating in a performance by the STROKESTRA® participants.
This innovative program in Central Florida is made possible through the support of AdventHealth, Florida Blue and the Pabst Steinmetz Foundation, each leaders in their commitment to the Dr. Phillips Center and in harnessing the power of the arts for healing. Generous support is also provided by the American Friends of the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra.
During each session, AdventHealth clinicians will work closely with stroke survivors and their caregivers and the world-renowned Royal Philharmonic musicians using a range of specially adapted musical techniques to stimulate the brain of stroke victims in a new transformative way.
“Our goal is to bring life-changing arts experiences with clinical benefits for the greatest outcome to our participants,” says Kathy Ramsberger, President & CEO of the Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts. “Arts and wellness is a priority for our business and the STROKESTRA® initiative advances our work with remarkable partners.”
Every 40 seconds, someone in the United States suffers a stroke — nearly 800,000 each year. More than 8,000 people were hospitalized after a stroke in Orange, Seminole, Lake and Osceola counties.
Pioneered by the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra and the National Healthcare Service of the United Kingdom, the STROKESTRA® program uses specially designed techniques delivered by professional musicians and clinicians to facilitate rehabilitation depending on individual patient needs. In the UK, patients achieved clinically significant improvements in Stroke Impact Scale results with participants reporting improvements in social (91%), emotional (86%), cognitive (86%) and physical (71%) recovery.
“The use of music therapy has been shown to play a significant role in overcoming depression in stroke patients, as well as restoring some of their ability to move, think, and speak,” says Dr. Indrani Acosta, neurologist and medical director for stroke at AdventHealth Central Florida. “This is the second year in a row that our world-class clinical team has been invited to participate in the STROKESTRA® program with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra at the Dr. Phillips Center, bringing healing and hope to patients. AdventHealth’s long standing support for the Dr. Phillips Center and those who enjoy arts and education in Central Florida serves to elevate our hope and renew health – body, mind, and spirit.”
“This program aligns perfectly with our mission of bringing health and healing to people who need it,” says Tony Jenkins, Market President for Florida Blue. “We’re excited to help grow it and its impact across our region.”
“It has been a dream of ours to bring world-class entertainment to Central Florida and we are so pleased to be supporting the Residency Festival and STROKESTRA®,” says Chuck and Margery Pabst Steinmetz of the Pabst Steinmetz Foundation. “With the addition of the remarkable Strokestra program, it strengthens our foundation’s commitment to how the arts contribute to health and arts wellness.”
“STROKESTRA® is one of the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra’s flagship arts & health programs and we are delighted to be partnering with Dr. Phillips Center and community sponsors to create a bespoke version for Orlando and surrounding areas that can benefit so many stroke survivors and their families,” says Lisa Rodio of the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra. “This program uniquely harnesses the power of music and music-making to support the important work of stroke clinicians, driving holistic recovery for patients regardless of their challenges post-stroke.”
For more information on STROKESTRA® evaluation findings, visit rpo.co.uk/strokestra. Those interested in participating in future STROKESTRA® sessions can reach out to artsandwellness@dpc.org.
About Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts
Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts is a private nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization in downtown Orlando supported by the City of Orlando, Orange County, the City of Winter Park, the State of Florida and generous donors and sponsors. The 698,312-square-foot venue includes performance spaces like the Walt Disney Theater, the Alexis & Jim Pugh Theater, the Steinmetz Hall and, opening in 2024, Judson's Live; and event spaces like the DeVos Family Room, the Rooftop Terrace and the Seneff Arts Plaza. In addition, the arts center's AdventHealth School of the Arts offers performing arts education year-round. For more information, visit drphillipscenter.org. Follow on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube and X.
About The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra
Patron HRH the former Prince of Wales
The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra (RPO) has a clear mission to enrich lives through orchestral experiences that are uncompromising in their excellence, wide-ranging in their appeal and inclusive in their delivery. Performing approximately 200 concerts each season and with a worldwide audience of more than half a million people, the Orchestra acts as a cultural ambassador for the UK on the world stage, whilst also enhancing the social and cultural fabric of local communities through a wide range of community, education, inclusion and wellbeing programmes. www.rpo.co.uk