Due to the current unpredictable pandemic situation, we are not scheduling institutes at the moment. The U Mass Institute generally takes place once a year in June. Please register for our newsletter to receive updates on scheduling as they arise.
The Massachusetts Institute celebrates its tenth year in 2020. It was in 2011 that the first Institute was inaugurated at Smith College. This is our fourth year in Bezanson Recital Hall of the U. Mass Department of Music & Dance. Bezanson's two fine Steinway D pianos and its stellar acoustics assure an exceptional level of artistic work at this Institute. Practice facilities including Steinway pianos will be available at the Music Department.
If you cannot attend the entire institute, please contact Christine Olson to arrange a reduced attendance plan.
Many pianists wonder whether they are good enough to attend, but Alan Fraser insists on welcoming pianists of all ages and abilities to the institute. "Elitist we're not!" says he. If your program is not in such great shape, it is all to the good: you will develop valuable preparation techniques which will assure a greater mastery of the composition in the end. Thus,
Many relatively inexperienced pianists hesitate to attend an institute, feeling they are not good enough or not well-enough prepared. However, Alan Fraser insists that we are all here to learn and this approach can help all of us, no matter whether our program is well-prepared or in a shambles. Thus the Institute really is open to all interested pianists:
There is no limit to improvement!
U MASS & OTHER DISCOUNTS
U. Mass Music Department students and staff are welcome to audit the institute at no charge, and receive a 35% discount on active participation fees. Students from other schools receive a 25% discount, and seniors above 65 a 10% discount. Register early to get the 10% early bird discount even if you're under 65!
Instrumentalists and singers are also welcome to attend: Fraser's application of Feldenkrais ideas to musical performance works equally well for them.
Amherst, Massachusetts with its interesting eateries and numerous New England wood frame houses offers congenial surroundings for the creative atmosphere of the institute - and Amherst is historically significant: the last and largest professional training given by Moshe Feldenkrais took place here, and the Dorothy Taubman Institute was in residence for many summers. We look forward to soaking up the vibes with you in Amherst.
LOCAL TEACHERS: INTRODUCTION TO PIANIMALS
This year sees the publication of Pianimals, Fraser's new method for young children. Teachers in the Amherst area who might find it difficult to get away from their studio obligations for the entire week can have individual lessons on a pay-as-you-go basis, where the special focus will be using Pianimals to empower the technique of their young pupils, allowing them to improve their sound and agility, advance more quickly and avoid the risk of injury. We also encourage them to bring select students for a session or two. Please contact Christine Olson to arrange these lessons.
ARRIVAL & ONSITE REGISTRATION
Your registration packets will be distributed at the opening gathering. Coffee and donuts at 9 Monday morning, the opening session at 10.
Click here for travelling directions to the U. Mass Music Department.
Note: Parking passes are available at $5 a day - contact Christine Olson if you need a pass.
BRADLEY
The nearest airport is Bradley International in Hartford, CT. There are several airport shuttles to Amherst.
Directions from Bradley International Airport
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BOSTON LOGAN
Boston-Logan Airport is 2 1/2 hours from Amherst by bus, and 2 hours by car.
BILLETING IN PRIVATE HOMES Christine Olson has arranged with several of her neighbours in nearby Northampton to offer low-cost accommodation ($25 a night for private room and shared bath). The neighbourhood is a 20-minute drive to U. Mass. and we will provide a shuttle service. Please contact Christine by June 1 if you would like to be billeted in one of these homes. We are doing everything possible to make your attendance at this Institute financially viable.
HOTELS, HOSTELS, AIRBNB See the U. Mass website for a list of hotels and hostels in the area. Booking.com and Airbnb.com offer other accommodation possibilities. HILLEL HOUSE in Amherst offers inexpensive, comfortable accomodations: dorm housing with shared bath, kitchen and laundry. Call or email Robert Kaufman to make your reservation: rkaufman@external.umass.edu Cell 413 218 4557 Office 413 549 1710 ex 205
The active participation fee covers FIVE individual lessons, daily group ATM lesson, daily seminar lecture, and observation of all other lessons. Auditors participate fully but receive no individual lessons.
REGISTER ONLINE: Make a Deposit, Pay the Full Fee, or Pay a Discounted Fee
Click on your preferred option in the table below to pay by credit card or PayPal at 2CheckOut.com, our retail partner. For partial institute registrations, repeat the one-day registration as many times as you need.
Please note that the credit card charge will appear on your statement as "2CO.COM," not as "The Alan Fraser Piano Institute."
For other options such as registering 'in person' and paying by cheque, please email Christine Olson or call her at 1-413-586-4012 to reserve your place. Christine will answer all your questions and arrange your preferred payment option and/or partial scholarship.
After registering, please return here to fill out the REGISTRATION QUESTIONNAIRE.
After the institute, please return again to fill out the INSTITUTE FOLLOWUP QUESTIONNAIRE. This helps evaluate your experience, plan your ongoing practice, and fine-tune the structure of future institute to better meet your needs.
ALAN FRASER
Canadian pianist Alan Fraser gives master classes and recitals worldwide and conducts ongoing research and refinement on the ideas put forth in his three books, The Craft of Piano Playing (also in DVD), Honing the Pianistic Self-Image, and All Thumbs: Well-Coordinated Piano Technique. He is at work on several new volumes. Visit here for more on Alan Fraser.
If you have concerns or questions about your participation in the institute and would like to address them directly to Alan Fraser, send him an email.
CHRISTINE OLSON
Christine Olson is a pianist, piano teacher and Alexander Technique teacher based in Northampton. As Alexander Technique and Feldenkrais Method are like two peas in a pod, it was natural for her curiosity to be stimulated by Alan's approach a decade ago. Christine is the originator, general coordinator and administrator for the U Mass institute. Contact her at:
Christine Olson 12 Forbes Ave. Northampton, MA 01060 413-586-4012 christine@theforbesstudio.com
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