An assistive device that is able to stabilize the embouchure for individuals with facial palsy to play the oboe.

Project Overview

Facial nerve weakness and palsy can affect many aspects of a patient's daily life, including their ability to maintain an adequate air seal around a musical instrument’s mouthpiece. This creates significant challenges for musicians playing woodwind instruments, such as the oboe. Unlike other woodwind instruments, the oboe uses a unique double reed that is unsupported by a traditional mouthpiece, requiring precise and stable embouchure control. The objective of this project is to develop a tailored device to stabilize the embouchure for individuals with facial nerve weakness.

Team Picture

Files

• Preliminary Presentation (October 2, 2026)
• PDS (September 17, 2026)

Progress Reports

• Week 4 (October 1, 2026)
• Week 3 (September 24, 2026)
• Week 2 (September 17, 2026)
• Week 1 (September 10, 2026)

Contact Information

Team Members

• Anna Van Riessen - Co-Team Leader
• Erika Daniels - Co-Team Leader
• Celia Oslakovic - Communicator
• Caden Kleespies - BSAC
• Owynn Garrelts - BWIG
• Owen Johnson - BPAG

Advisor and Client

• Prof. William Murphy - Advisor
• Linda Chickering - Client