Are you skeptical about distance learning? Come to an Online Piano Institute to see just how well it can work. Piano Somatics focuses on quality of movement, so generally the visual impression offers enough information for effective guidance - of course, bandwith that gives uninterrupted audio as well as video makes it even better.
An added bonus to the online format is being able to mute the microphone so all participants can try out the techniques being taught in real time. Some say they even prefer this format to a live institute!
Our online format follows the same schedule as a live institute: daily lecture, group Feldenkrais Awareness Through Movement (ATM) lesson, Awareness Through Piano Movement (ATPM) lesson and individual piano lessons. Alan Fraser leads all these activities. After each individual lesson there will be a short discussion where we can clarify our understanding of what went on.
Because of the 6-hour time difference, we offer separate North American, European and Australasian institutes. You will receive all the necessary links to the Zoom meeting room upon registratiion.
Alan writes,
"Teaching at a distance, one must be absolutely clear about the learning process. Teaching live, I can touch a pianist's arm and guide it to inflect a phrase - but do I know exactly what I'm doing, what I am sensing? At a distance, I must give a verbal instruction that effectively evokes the same intuitive, sensorial learning process. I can do that if I understand that process in its essence. Teaching online has made me clearer in my thinking and has brought my teaching to a new level of power and incision. 'I am still amazed at the striking changes in sonority and emotional expression that happen when the hand manifests its "structural power" - and even more amazed at how audible these changes are, even over Zoom."
"Teaching at a distance, one must be absolutely clear about the learning process. Teaching live, I can touch a pianist's arm and guide it to inflect a phrase - but do I know exactly what I'm doing, what I am sensing? At a distance, I must give a verbal instruction that effectively evokes the same intuitive, sensorial learning process. I can do that if I understand that process in its essence. Teaching online has made me clearer in my thinking and has brought my teaching to a new level of power and incision.
Lecturing at the University of Wisconsin's Optimal Performance & Biomechanics Graduate Seminar in Piano Technique in April 2020 - a sample of Alan's online presence:
You can also watch many of Alan's online lessons at PianoTechnique.org.
Why attend an institute instead of simply having online lessons with Alan?
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!
Our day begins at 5 pm NSW time (UTC +10) which is 7 am in Europe from where Alan will be teaching. If you live in another time zone, please make the appropriate adjustment (see table below).
Time Zone Adjustment
All sessions are recorded so that participants from the Americas may watch without burning the midnight oil.
The daily schedule may be modified according to the makeup and needs of the group.
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. As we are on Zoom, everyone can do the lesson at the piano.
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 offered to you free of charge for future reference.
The 5-day schedule may be modified according to the makeup and needs of the group.
The question period in each seminar is a chance to take the discussion in a whole new direction. For instance, the conversation could veer towards one of the topics below covered in a past institute. Which of these topics is of special concern to you? Make note of it, and make sure you bring it up with Alan in a seminar.
The entire institute will be recorded and available to watch afterwards. If you do not attend the institute, you can purchase the recordings.
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 her to fill out the PARTICIPANT QUESTIONNAIRE, indicating which institute you will be attending (Zoom USA), 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
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.
