The 2026 Netherlands Piano Somatics Institute will be held at the Cultuurhuis Schonveld in Houten, a suburb of Utrecht about 40 minutes south of Amsterdam.
Visit the Cultuurhuis Schoneveld Facebook page to get more of a feel for the place. Attending this institute, it's easy to combine piano studies with a vacation in one of Europe's most vibrant cities. Alan teaches in English or French, and Dutch translation is available.
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 what our ability or state of our program. Thus the Institute really is open to all interested pianists:
There is no limit to improvement!
Alan's Feldenkrais-informed approach to performance also helps instrumentalists and vocalists, transforming their sound by making minute postural adjustments that release hidden physical blocks. If you have a friend or colleague with a specific performing issue, why not invite them to come along.
The schedule may be modified according to the makeup and needs of the group.
Participants will be invited to select from this list of lecture topics for the daily seminar/ATPM:
Click here for travelling directions to Cultuurhuis Schonveld Zonnehout 36 3991 MX Houten Netherlands
Rene and Christianne have very kindly offered to host up to two pianists/instrumentalists/singers travelling to Houten from a distance, at €35 per night including breakfast. To connect with Rene to discuss this option, please send him an email.
Otherwise, there are several accommodation options in the Utrecht area.
• To book a hotel we recommend Booking.com. • www.airbnb.com also offers several listings. Book early to get the best choice and the best price.
MEALS
We will eat out at one of the local restaurants, to be decided by democratic vote!
To register for this institute, click on the link immediately below the table. The payment table is no longer responsive; this price list is purely informative.
Contact us for other registration options
If you have a particular registration request, for instance a partial scholarship, please contact Ivona Despotovich. They will answer all your questions and do their best to meet your specific needs.
We'd like to get to know you better. After registration, please come back to fill out this PARTICIPANT INFORMATION FORM.
After you've completed your institute, we'd like to keep in touch. Please return here to fill out the INSTITUTE FOLLOWUP QUESTIONNAIRE. This helps you and us to evaluate your experience, plan your ongoing regime for further pianistic advances, and fine-tune the institute structure 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 books:
If you would like to discuss your participation in an institute directly with Alan, feel free to send him an email.
RENE MAURER
Pianist and pedagogue Rene Maurer has performed internationally for several decades, both as a soloist and chamber musician. He is professor of piano at the Houten Music School, teaches at the ArtEZ Conservatory in Zwolle, leads a Young Talent Class in Arnhem, and runs a thriving private practice at his studio in Nieuwegein, where his entire class has been trained in part through extensive use of the Pianimals Method.
Rene's contact information: Email Rene
Cancellation Policy
If you must cancel your registration, reimbursement will be as follows: Cancellations more than two months before Institute opening date: 100% reimbursement. Cancellations more than one month before Institute opening date: 75% reimbursement. Cancellations more than two weeks before Institute opening date: 50% reimbursement. Cancellations more than one week before Institute opening date: 25% reimbursement. Cancellations less than one week before Institute opening date: no reimbursement except in cases of doctor-certified illness or acts of God. We reserve the right to cancel the institute due to insufficient enrolment; in this event, all registration fees are fully refundable.
