We are hoping against hope that in June-July 2023 we will be able to rejuventate this, our flagship institute, in Bezanson Hall on the beautiful U. Mass campus. Sign up for our newsletter to receive updates on scheduling as they arise.
Bezanson Recital Hall of the U. Mass Department of Music & Dance has 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.
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 this historic atmosphere with you next summer.
Are you hesitant to attend? Feel you are not advanced enough? Not well-enough prepared? Don't worry; Alan welcomes all, no matter what your ability, no matter what the state of your program. 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.
Instrumentalists and vocalists are also welcome to attend the institute: Fraser's application of Feldenkrais ideas to musical performance works equally well no matter what your instrument.
LOCAL TEACHERS: INTRODUCTION TO PIANIMALS
2021 saw the publication of Pianimals, Fraser's new piano method based on the Feldenkrais Method. If you are a teacher who wants to introduce Pianimals into your studio but cannot attend the institute, you are welcome to take lessons with Alan on a pay-as-you-go basis while he is in Amherst. The special focus will be using Pianimals to empower the technique of your young pupils. You are also welcome 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 8:30 Monday morning, the opening session at 10.
The seminar-ATPM format is new. Alan will begin by lecturing on a topic, then field some questions about the material, and then create an Awareness Through Piano Movement lesson that grows out of that lecture's focus.
You are free to attend the entire day or take a break from watching the lessons to rest or do a little bit of practicing. Each entire session is recorded and will be made available for future reference.
The question period in each seminar is a chance to take the discussion in a whole new direction, for instance, back to one of the topics below covered in a past institute. Which of these topics is of special concern to you? Make a note to yourself to bring it up with Alan in one of the seminars.
Here is the location of Bezanson Recital Hall at the University of Massechusetts, Amherst: Note: Parking passes are available at $5 a day - contact Christine Olson if you need a pass.
BRADLEY INTERNATIONAL, BOSTON LOGAN
This U Mass web page offers information on getting to Amherst from several different airports. The closest of these is Bradley International in Hartford, CT. Here are driving directions from Bradley International, which also has several airport shuttles. 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 if you would like to be billeted in one of these homes.
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.
Click on your preferred option below to pay by credit card at our retail partner, Stripe.com.
COMBINING ACTIVE AND PASSIVE DAYS
To combine active and passive registrations, hit the back button on your browser to add another purchase item to the same payment procedure. For instance, if you want to attend for five days but only have three individual lessons, purchase three Active Participant days and two Passive Participant days for a total of five. At completion of your registration, please return here to fill out the PARTICIPANT QUESTIONNAIRE, indicating which institute you will be attending (U Mass), and what days.
Discounts
We offer discounts for senior citizens, students up to 25 years of age, and those in reduced financial circumstances. For more information, please contact Sophia Cholich and let her know your status. If you qualify for a discount, you will receive a partial refund on your initial payment.
After registering, please return here to fill out the REGISTRATION QUESTIONNAIRE.
After you have completed your institute, please come back to fill out this FOLLOWUP QUESTIONNAIRE. This helps us evaluate your experience, tailor your ongoing regime to facilitate further progress, and fine-tune the structure of future institutes to better meet participants' 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
CHRISTINE OLSON
Christine Olson is a pianist, piano teacher and Alexander Technique teacher based in Northampton. Alexander Technique and Feldenkrais Method are like two peas in a pod, so it was natural for her curiosity to be stimulated by Alan's approach over 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
The Pianimals Introductory Seminars
Alan Fraser runs another institute based on Pianimals, his new piano method based on the Feldenkrais Method. This institute runs for 8 weeks with each Saturday session based on one of the eight sections of Pianimals, sections which follow a developmental line. Many teachers find that in preparing themselves to use Pianimals with their pupils, they are giving themselves a "pianistic makeover" at the same time.
Alan generally holds a FREE INTRODUCTORY SESSION offering you a chance to familiarize yourself with this new approach to piano development. Why not attend - you may even get picked for a free mini-demo piano lesson! Please click on the link below to sign up by email for your free attendance at an intro sesssion.
Send us an email, and we will send you information about the next upcoming Free Intro session.
If and only if Covid-19 restrictions are still in place, we will ask that all participants be vaccinated against Covid-19, or that you have proof of a negative Covid-19 test done less than 48 hours before your arrival at the Institute. If restrictions are still in place when you register, please let us know your vaccination status.
Alan Fraser contracted the Corona virus for the first time in November 2020. He had only mild symptoms and quickly recovered, and received the Astra-Zeneca vaccine in March and June 2021 plust the booster shot in November 2021. In January 2022 he contracted the omicron variant and again survived with only mild symptoms. If, by chance, national Covid-19 restrictions are still in force during the institute, the following measures will be followed for the protection and comfort of all participants:
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.
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