This institute takes place in a studio a couple of subway stops from Alexanderplatz. The fine Fazioli B at our disposal is courtesy of Tomas Bächli, our gracious host. Tomas will be away for these four days, but we are grateful for his hospitality! Matt Rubenstein, who teaches out of the studio adjacent to Tomas', will be present and is our onsite liason. Practice rooms may be rented in a piano store not too distant, and hopefully we will take our meals together at some of the colourful restaurants that dot the neighbourhood.
Book this very special institute in one of the key culture capitals of Europe... to improve your piano playing, brush up on your teaching skills, and take in the concerts, the museums, the nightlife!
And remember, if you can't make this institute please do sign up for our newsletter to receive scheduling updates for future institutes as they arise.
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!
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 institute is a mixture of piano lessons, Feldenkrais lessons and lectures on piano technique from the viewpoint of Piano Somatics. On Friday morning we gather for coffee, getting to know each other and discussing our goals for the four days. Coffee and Danish at 8:30 Friday morning, opening session at 9.
Although the institute runs for 4 full days, partial attendance is completely acceptable. You are also not obliged to take the maximum number of lessons. See the registration procedure for instructions on how to tailor-make your participation to your own needs.
In the seminar-ATPM format Alan begins by lecturing on a relevant topic, then fields some questions about the material, and then creates an Awareness Through Piano Movement™ lesson that grows out of the discussion.
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 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 Institute will take place at Boxhagener Str. 16 10245 Berlin
Take the U-Bahn (subway) line U5, to Frankfurter Tor station.
Walk over to Boxhagener Strasse, and between numbers 15 and 16 on the street, enter the passageway. If the gate is locked, ring the doorbell for T. Baechli and wait to be buzzed in. Then walk all the way through to the back. This means not the first courtyard... not the second courtyard... but the third courtyard. When you get to the third courtyard, do not turn immediately right to enter the main building. Keep walking past that entrance, even farther towards the back. On the right you will immediately see a low building with some windows but no door - that's the piano studio. Still keep walking; circle around the back of the piano studio to the other side where you'll find the entrance.
Practice rooms can be rented by the hour for a very reasonable price at PianoRooms, also not too far from Alexanderplatz. The exact address is Friedrichstraße 130, 10117 Berlin, in der Dreispitzpassage.
There are many hotels in Berlin, all easily available at Booking.com. Airbnb is also an option.
MEALS
There are many restaurants within walking distance of the studio.
COMBINE ACTIVE AND PASSIVE DAYS
Click on your preferred option below to pay by credit card at our retail partner, Stripe.com.
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 Ivona Despotovich 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
MATT RUBENSTEIN
Pianist and pedagogue Matt Rubenstein is an American pianist and teacher who has been active in the Berlin clasical music scene for many years and has recorded several acclained CD's of new piano music. He teaches piano privately in Berlin and is the organizer of the Berlin Alan Fraser Piano Institute.
Contact Matt Rubenstein.
If Covid-19 restrictions are still in effect, 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 72 hours before your arrival at the Institute. We can discuss your vaccination status when you register.
Alan has been vaccinated three times, with the Astra-Zeneca vaccine in March and June 2021 and a Pfizer booster in November 2021. He has also contracted Covid-19 three times: in November 2020 before the vaccines were available, then twice with the Omicron variant in January and July 2022. Thankfully he had only mild symptoms and quickly recovered.
If 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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