Description

A Soft Place to Land - The Power of AT Community in Intensive Music Environments.
Intensive music environments present unique challenges to teaching and

learning the Alexander Technique. Undergraduate and graduate music students and music

faculty face rigorous academic and performance expectations, juggle demanding schedules,

and feel pressure to do well at all times. These demands can be isolating and

counterproductive for musicians’ health and art. These circumstances also make it difficult for

students to engage with Alexander Technique, which emphasizes slowing down, embodied

awareness and openness to exploring possibilities beyond habit. As an AT instructor at the

Eastman School of Music, I have found that cultivating community in my AT classes helps

students feel supported and safe enough to trust and experiment with AT. During this Huddle

I’ll share some strategies and observations about community-building in AT classes. In

particular, I will focus on the importance of cultivating community as a powerful resource to

support student engagement and enhance their development of effective AT practices for

navigating high-pressure performance situations.

Katie Fittipaldi is a cellist, music educator and AmSAT-certified Alexander

Technique teacher who is passionate about bringing Alexander Technique into the realm of

music performance and education to support wellbeing and professional excellence. Katie is

a certified Developing Self/Alexander in Education specialist and has taught Alexander

Technique at the Eastman School of Music since 2015.