Alexander in Education Conference 2021

Richard Brennan has studied the Alexander Technique since 1983 and has been teaching the technique full time for over 30 years he travels extensively internationally giving workshops, talks and interviews about the Technique. 

Richard has been featured in numerous newspapers and magazines including The Irish Times, The Sunday Tribune, The Irish Examiner, Cosmopolitan, Hello and Home and Country; he has appeared on television in the UK, Ireland, Croatia and Montenegro he has also been featured on BBC Radios 4 & 5 as well as many local Radio in Europe. He has written eight books on the Alexander Technique, posture and health which have been translated into 22 languages including French Italian, Spanish, Russian, Korean and Hebrew and are on sale world-wide They haves sold over 250,000 and include How to Breathe, Change your Posture – Change your Life and The Alexander Workbook  

Richard lives in Galway, Ireland where he is the director of the Alexander Teacher Training College, Ireland (STAT approved). He is also the past president and co-founder of the Irish Society of Alexander Technique Teachers. (ISSAT) 

INTERVIEW  

Why the School Chair is Harmful

Richard talks to Sue Merry about the current situation in schools regarding the design of chairs. Richard has been actively campaigning in the UK and Ireland for the removal of backward sloping furniture in schools since 1992 because he has personally discovered that they are often a major cause of poor posture and subsequent back, neck and breathing problems. 

VIDEO LINK

HANDOUT AVAILABLE

Tel: +353 85 1624 300 

Email info@alexander.ie

Website: www.alexander.ie

Malcolm Balk is an Alexander Technique teacher, cellist and Level 4 running coach from Montreal, Canada. He specialises in working with musicians and athletes and has developed a unique approach to helping runners improve their performance, increase enjoyment and reduce the risk of injury using the Alexander Technique. He is also the author of two books, 'Master the Art of Running' and 'Master the Art of Working Out', and teaches his 'Art of Running' workshops all over the world.

INTERVIEW 

FM's Knees Forward and Away Revisited  

Malcolm talks to Andy Smith about how his understanding of joint mechanics has caused him to re-evaluate Alexander's classic direction of knees forward and away. He also shares some simple activities that help promote balance and natural movement during the gait cycle.

VIDEO LINK

www.theartofrunning.com

www.alexandertechmontreal.com

malcolm.balk@gmail.com

 Joan and Alex Murray met Professor Raymond Dart in 1967. He cooperated in and inspired Joan and Alex’s ongoing investigation into human developmental movement as it relates to the Alexander Technique. They developed the Dart Procedures, an innovative process that influences Alexander Technique teaching throughout the world. 

The Murray’s experience of the Alexander Technique began in 1955 with Charles Neil, and continued after his death in 1958, with Walter Carrington. 

Joan spent nine years working with Walter Carrington, who was F.M. Alexander’s principal assistant at the time of Alexander’s death in 1955. She worked with many first-generation teachers, including: Majorie Barstow, Dilys

Carrington, Frank and Helen Jones, Patrick Macdonald, Charles Neil, John Skinner, Peter Scott, Tony Spawforth, Richard and Elizabeth Walker, Lulie Westfelt, Kitty Wielopolska, and Peggy Williams.

The Murray’s have taught extensively in London, the United States and Europe, in universities and conservatories.  

During their early years in London, Joan was a well-known dancer in many major musical

productions, including My Fair Lady and The King and I. Joan taught the Technique at Michigan State University, 1967 – 1974 then spent the next three years teaching extensively in Holland and London before she returned, with Alex, to the United States in 1977 to teach at the University of Illinois and run a teacher training course.

In September 2018, Joan and Alex were given the Illinois Arts Legacy Award.

 INTERVIEW 

The Development of the Dart Procedures

This interview by Judith Kleinman with the highly respected Joan Murray, reveals how Joan and Alex first encountered Professor Raymond Dart and went on to develop his work and integrate it into their teaching.
VIDEO LINK  

Joan and Alex Murray met Professor Raymond Dart in 1967. He cooperated in and inspired Joan and Alex’s ongoing investigation into human developmental movement as it relates to the Alexander Technique. They developed the Dart Procedures, an innovative process that influences Alexander Technique teaching throughout the world.

The Murray’s experience of the Alexander Technique began in 1955 with Charles Neil, and continued after his death in 1958, with Walter Carrington. They spent nine years working with Walter Carrington, who was F.M. Alexander’s principal assistant at the time of his death in 1955. They worked with and were friends of many first generation teachers, including: Majorie Barstow, Dilys Carrington, Frank and Helen Jones, Patrick Macdonald, Charles Neil, John Skinner, Peter Scott, Tony Spawforth, Richard and Elizabeth Walker, Lulie Westfelt, Kitty Wielopolska, and Peggy Williams.

The Murray’s have taught extensively in London, the United States and Europe, in universities and conservatories. 

Alex was principal flute in major orchestras, including the Royal Opera and the London Symphony Orchestra.  Alex became Professor of Flute at Michigan State University, 1967 - 1974.  Alex spent three years at the Royal Dutch Conservatory in the Hague. In 1977 Alex was appointed Professor of Flute at the University of Illinois, a position he held until his retirement in 2002. Since then he has devoted himself full-time to the Alexander Technique. In 2015 he was awarded the Lifetime Achievement Award of the National Flute Association. 

INTERVIEW

 Raymond Dart and the Art of Learning

 Alex Murray talks to Peter Buckoke about his early experiences of the Technique, his flute playing, his contact with Raymond Dart and Frank Pierce Jones, childhood development and the art of learning.
VIDEO LINK 

 HANDOUT AVAILABLE 

Lori Schiff is currently in her thirtieth year as a full time faculty member of The Juilliard School. Ms. Schiff teaches the Alexander Technique in the Music Division of the School and has additionally been teaching classes for staff members, alumni events, and “in house” master classes for various studios, The Vocal Arts Department and more.

She is an Associate Director and Senior Teacher for The Riverside Initiative for The Alexander Technique teacher training course.

Ms. Schiff has presented classes for A.T. teachers at AmSAT meetings, and International Congresses .

She has been introducing and teaching the work at performing arts organizations and festivals and corporate and leisure settings since qualifying at ACAT in New York in 1987.

INTERVIEW 

Alexander at The Juilliard School 

 Lori Schiff in Conversation with Judith Kleinman. This interview shines light on how Lori came to Alexander work and how she went on to build and develop the thriving Alexander department at The Juilliard School in new York 

 VIDEO LINK 

For more information please see: www.lorischiff.com 

 email:  LSchiff@juilliard.edu 

Lori's Podcast

Lori on YouTube

Ilana trained with Misha Magidov at The North London School of the Alexander Technique, qualifying in 1984.

She worked as an assistant teacher at his school from 1986 to 2003. In January 2004 she opened The Alexander Technique School, Queen’s Park. The school closed at the end of 2018.

Ilana has been teaching at The Royal Academy of Music since 1984.

She is also a childbirth educator and a teacher of Medau Rhythmic Movement.

Aerobic Movement Breaks  

* Introduction

* 4 aerobic movements

* 1 movement with ideas for improvisation

Movement is a basic human need.

These videos are a series of short movements developed by Ilana when she began to teach on-line.

Many of us live very sedentary lives. These meaningful, aerobic movements are based on the principles of the Alexander Technique

INTERVIEW

Judith Kleinman Talks to Ilana About her Life in Alexander Technique

Filmed in 2013

 VIDEO LINK FROM JULY 4TH 

Lee began Alexander Technique lessons with Karen Wentworth in 1991 while at Drama School. He studied privately with many teachers, particularly Walter Carrington, and trained as an AT teacher with Karen 1997-2000. As an AT teacher, he has taught at several UK drama schools, the Actors Centre, The University of St Mary’s and The London School of Economics. Lee wrote the libretto for the contemporary opera ‘The Original Chinese Conjuror’ which was a sell-out at The Aldeburgh Festival and Almeida Theatre and has been a commissioned writer at The Royal Opera House and Bregenz Opera Festival. He has also been a professional magician - described by Prince William as ‘absolutely amazing’. Lee has a strong background in sales, having headed up sales roles at Hertz, The Channel Tunnel and News International. He is the author of the award-winning bestseller ‘The Busy Person’s Guide To Great Presenting’ and for the last decade has been a keynote speaker at conferences around the globe helping people to become more compelling, confident and connected.

 PRESENTATION 

 The Origin Of The Three Questions   

Lee Warren discusses his approach to teaching Alexander, Magic and Presentation Skills. 

 VIDEO LINK FROM JULY 4TH  

Malcolm started lessons when at the Royal College of Music. He trained as an Alexander Teacher with Walter and Dilys Carrington and has been teaching at the Royal Northern College of Music since 1985.

INTERVIEW

When FM met John Dewey  

Alexander and Dewey were friends for 36 years. We know from the introductions to three of Alexander’s books that Dewey got a lot out of his lessons, but Alexander also gained. How did Dewey influence Alexander and the development of the Technique?

 VIDEO LINK FROM JULY 4TH  

Regina Stratil trained in London and was certified by STAT. She then went on to work for the Walter Carrington Educational Trust and discovered her interest in the history of the Alexander Technique while cataloguing material at the Walter Carrington Archives. She has a degree in Historical-Comparative Linguistics from Vienna University, likes to train Aikido in her spare time, and now teaches the Alexander Technique in Graz, Austria. 

She is the author of the biography "Irene Tasker: Her Life and Work with the Alexander Technique" (Mouritz, 2020: https://mouritz.org/shop/). 

PRESENTATION

 Irene Tasker and the Early History of the Alexander Technique in Education.   

Regina gives an overview of the earliest attempts to bring the Alexander Technique into education, spanning the years between 1914 and the 1940s. She introduces Irene Tasker with a focus on her pioneering work with the Little School and discusses Tasker's approach.

VIDEO LINK FROM JULY 4TH

HANDOUT AVAILABLE FROM JULY 4TH

www.atstudio.at

 Elizabeth is the New York City representative for The Developing Self.
Elizabeth is an ATI Certified Alexander Technique teacher. She trained with Master Teacher Chloe Wing in New York. Elizabeth is also Certified in The Developing Self to teach The Alexander Technique to children and young adults. She studied with founders Sue Merry MSTAT and Judith Kleinman MSTAT AGSM. Currently, she teaches private lessons, group classes and workshops in New York City and the Hudson Valley. More 

 PRESENTATION  

Where Is Everything?

Fun with Body Mapping   

 I’ll be sharing some fun experiments and body awareness explorations from my AT Lab Body Mapping Unit. The topics of the mini lessons you will see in the videos are Flexible Spine and Floaty Head. Children love to ask the question: “Where is everything?” and feel so empowered when they discover how their body is designed to move and their body map feels clear.

VIDEO LINK FROM JULY 4TH 

Founder of She Stands and Festival of The Girl. Alexander Technique teacher and gender equality activist.

 PRESENTATION    

The Role Alexander Technique Can Play in the Gender Equality Movement.     

Abi shares the work she is doing with She Stands and Festival of The Girl and the   important role Alexander Technique can play in creating a more gender equal society.

 VIDEO LINK FROM JULY 4TH  

Katie lives in Rochester NY where she teaches Alexander Technique at the Eastman School of Music and the Eastman Community Music School and delivers AT workshops for performance programs in the surrounding area. Katie also maintains a wonder-full studio of cellists who enjoy a curious, adventurous, kind-hearted, and whole-selfed approach to learning. Katie’s passion to explore different ways of bringing Alexander Technique into the teaching and learning realm led her to complete the Developing Self Training Course certification with Sue Merry and Judith Kleinman and energized her interest in exploring teaching AT via a collaborative teaching model. 

www.alexandertechniquerochester.com

INTERVIEW  

Integrating AT and Post-Secondary Music Instruction Using the Oslo Model  

Katie shares her experiences teaching Alexander Technique using the Oslo model, developed by Stephen Parker in Norway, where music students and their studio teachers take private AT lessons, and in additional joint sessions, the AT instructor and studio teacher teach students collaboratively. Stephania shares emerging findings from a study exploring the Oslo model at an American music conservatory.

 VIDEO LINK FROM JULY 4TH  

 Stephania recently completed her M.A. in Music Education at the Eastman School of Music where she was awarded the Teaching Assistant Prize for group voice instruction. In addition to working as a teaching artist for Calgary Opera and the opera education organization “What Is Opera, Anyway?”, she currently serves as a research assistant to Dr. Donna Brink Fox for a study exploring the influence and feasibility of the Oslo Model of AT instruction at an American music conservatory. Her research has been published in Eastman Notes, the Eastman Journal and the Eastman Case Studies.

 INTERVIEW  

Integrating AT and Post-Secondary Music Instruction Using the Oslo Model    

 Stephania shares emerging findings from a study exploring the Oslo model at an American music conservatory. She is interviewed alongside Katie Fittipaldi.

 VIDEO LINK FROM JULY 4TH  

  Gabrielle Czaja, PT, M.ATI, M.AmSAT is a physical therapist and holistic educator. Her greatest joy is guiding people to optimal health and empowering them to thrive and succeed throughout their lives. Training as an Alexander Technique teacher was a milestone in her life and journey as an educator and healer. In her private practice in Washington DC, she helps adults and young people recover from injury and pain and most importantly, develop sustaining self-care skills. 

Gabrielle is especially passionate about guiding young people towards their full potential. Certified to teach Alexander Technique to children, young adults, and in schools, through The Developing Self Alexander in Education Foundation Course, she is also certified in Jessica Wolf’s Art of Breathing. Gabrielle teaches group workshops to middle and high school faculty, parents and students.

PRESENTATION  

The Intersection of Developmental Reflexes and Alexander Technique

Developmental milestones are general landmarks for human development—cognitive, motor, emotional, and social. Developmental reflexes are the foundation for the manifestation of these milestones, and facilitate the growth and maturation of an individual. In this presentation, Gabrielle will discuss the parallels between developmental reflexes and Alexander Technique and introduce one method, The Masgutova Method, for integrating developmental reflexes.

 VIDEO LINK FROM JULY 4TH  

Jane Gregory works with musicians at the Institute of Contemporary Music Performance (ICMP) in London. She maintains that working with young musicians inspires her to take a very practical approach to teaching the Alexander Technique. She also teaches from home and assists on the EACAT Training Course in Chelmsford, Essex, affiliated with ATEUK.

PRESENTATION  

A Beginners Guide to Creating Short, Impactful Alexander Technique Videos

Suitable for anyone who has never created a video, Jane will look at:- How to get started; some brief technical advice; and some examples of good Alexander Technique content.

  VIDEO LINK FROM JULY 4TH