- What is your training?
- Do you ever teach group classes in the Alexander Technique?
- What values do you espouse in your teaching?
- What do you do when you're not teaching?
What is your training?
My undergraduate degree in Music is from Princeton University, where I also completed the pre-med program.
I received my training as an Alexander Teacher at the American Center for the Alexander Technique, the oldest Alexander training program in the United States, founded in 1964 by F.M. Alexander's student Debby Caplan and others. Since my graduation, I have retained close ties to ACAT, serving on its Board of Directors, teaching on its faculty, and participating in several post-graduate courses every year.
The Teacher Certification Program at ACAT is endorsed by the American Society for the Alexander Technique, which ensures that prospective teachers are trained according to nationally established standards. AmSAT sets the most rigorous guidelines in the United States for training Alexander teachers. If your teacher is AmSAT certified, you can be certain he or she has completed a basic certification of at least 1,600 hours of training over a three-year period and that he or she continues to engage in at least 25 hours of additional professional development training every year.
You can visit the AmSAT website to verify the certification of any Alexander teacher in the United States:
www.alexandertech.org
Do you ever teach group classes in the Alexander Technique?
Besides seeing students in my private practice, I have taught group classes in institutions including the Juilliard School, William Esper Studio, Hoff-Barthelson Music School, the Penn South Program for Seniors, and the co-op where I live.
I have also led many introductory classes in the Alexander Technique. These presentations have included lecture/demonstrations for the general public at ACAT; specialized introductions for groups at LaGuardia Community College and the New York Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual & Transgender Community Center; and corporate presentations at ING Bank and Clairol.
What values do you espouse in your teaching?
Compassion: My desire is to create a safe, comfortable environment for learning. I listen and observe attentively and respond — using my hands and my words — with gentleness and respect.
Non-judgment: There is no right or wrong in my studio. I accept you as you are, and encourage you to treat yourself with similar generosity.
Individuality: Each student's way of learning is highly personal. I strive to provide instruction using words and activities that are meaningful to you.
Intelligence: I value the ability to think creatively, consistently, and coherently, and wish to nurture your potential for constructive thinking.
Fun: I believe that a joyous atmosphere inspires the learning process. Expect to laugh a lot as we explore together!
What do you do when you're not teaching?
Besides being a teacher of the Alexander Technique, I am a Craniosacral practitioner, a Reiki practitioner (Level III), a voice teacher, and a professional classical singer. I read and write extensively and exercise several times a week. To relax, I enjoy cooking, doing Saturday crossword puzzles from the Times, and spending time with my partner, Peter, and our Chihuahuas, Freddy and Willy.
I'm passionate about continuing to learn new things. Over the past year, I've explored weight-lifting, swimming, running, dog psychology (thanks, Cesar Millan!), meditation, reading and writing Hindi script, and thinking like Leonardo da Vinci (with Michael Gelb's book).
I rely on the Alexander Technique — not simply an end unto itself — to guide my endeavors in all these other areas.
