METHOD A performer is in a continuous search to enrich his expression pallet. A musician's pallet is the sound. Feldenkrais (Awareness Through Movement) is a mind and body training that enables a new way to relate to an instrument. It offers tools to make the road to best results shorter. The most common handicap in playing an instrument is tension. Tension in action chases away the real feeling of pleasure and openness essential for improvement. Recurring tension causes injuries, music becomes fabricated instead of a deeply felt, living experience. I have included the Feldenkrais method into my teaching. Having acquired the ability to closely relate the quality of sound with the quality of the body movement that produces it, I am able to work with students of all instruments. My goal is to awaken the awareness of the functioning and coordination of mind and body as a whole , to stimulate the development of a clear musical intention in a mind and body free of blockades and to experience a connected presence in every note. Personal growth, infinite possibilities of discovery, a better, deeper sound, naturally controlled, free breathing, timing and balance are the result. BIOGRAPHY
Nadia David has accomplished the mind and body study at the MBS Academy with the renowned Mia Segal and Leora Gaster. After having followed intensive seminars in The Netherlands, Belgium and Germany she obtained her diploma in 2010. She has concentrated her work with musicians, having been invited to give masterclasses at the ArtEZ Coservatory , Zwolle, Hassadna Conservatory , Jerusalem, Tivon Coservatory as well as at the Zemtsov Viola Quartet viola masterclass week. and the Royal Conservatory in the Hague. She has coached various instruments, viola, violin, cello, piano, harp, double bass, guitar, and singers. During the International Chamber Music Week in the Morvan , France, Nadia David together with violinist Joan Berkhemer are training chamber music groups , making them acquainted with a stress free manner of interacting and performing chamber music.
TESTIMONIALS
"I don't know how to start talking about my Feldenkrais lessons, since I could almost say that it changed my life as a performer. Despite being familiar with other body-awareness disciplines like Alexander Technique or Taichi; I find Feldenkrais, at least as I know it from Nadia David,to be the perfect connector between body, mind, breathing, movement and music. Feldenkrais is the connection between a comforting use of body, breathing and movement, with the beauty of music." Ana Valero Betran, viola
"Nadia is the most complete teacher I've ever taken class with. All aspects of musicianship, technique, musicality, mind and body connection, are highlighted during lessons. At the end of a session, everything seems to just work again and I take great pleasure in working with her. Jan Willem Troost, cello
"Nadia David combines wonderful musicianship with a vast experience in Feldenkrais philosophy and technique. There is a directness and ease to her method. This enables her to reach people, achieve fast and outstanding results with music students, and professionals of all levels and age." Mikhail Zemtsov, viola
“Some years ago I had the good fortune to receive coachings from Nadia David. The work we did helped me immensely: since then I have been able to find much more freedom on stage and in rehearsals. Our work also brought a lot to my approach at home, giving me the tools in my practicing to find more relaxation and comfort so that I can go on stage and trust my inner voice to come through.” Joe Puglia , violin
WORKSHOP
WORKSHOP FELDENKRAIS APPLIED ON PLAYING AN INSTRUMENT- FOR STRING INSTRUMENTS, PIANO, WIND INSTRUMENTS, GUITAR,
The workshop proposes a few steps in the search of connected and coordinated , effortless playing. Human motion, the natural state of the body, can be dynamic or subtle. Most people don’t focus on the quality of the permanent movement , it is taken for granted. Only when discomfort and injury appear, does the attention awaken. Heightening the awareness of one’s own movements can be traced back more than 1000 years ago. Moshe Feldenkrais combined different sources in developing his method including the Alexander Technique, martial arts, psychology and bio- mechanics . This method applied on any instrument is giving clear instructions on specific ways to find comfort in the body when practicing and playing , to become aware of it and be always able to find it back also in stressful moments such as playing on stage. It is a way to learn how to play free of injury and pain and diminish stage fright. Feldenkrais teaches us to observe and detect muscle tension ; a far reaching sound and free flowing of musical lines are the immediate result. We don’t learn new techniques but we become conscious of how to use our own resources, always present in ourselves but not enough trained.
The workshop is built up in 4 segments:
1.Freeing the Bowing
13.30 - 14.15 -Introduction to Feldenkrais excercises 14.10-14.30 - thee, coffee, cookies 14.30-18.30- individual lessons applying excercises on instrument.
2. Freeing the left hand
13.30 - 14.15 -Feldenkrais excercises 14.10-14.30 - thee, coffee, cookies 14.30-18.30- individual lessons on instrument.
3. Shifts
13.30 - 14.15 -Feldenkrais excercises 14.10-14.30 - thee, coffee, cookies 14.30-18.30- individual lessons on instrument.
4. Combining all elements in free playing
13.30 - 14.15 -Feldenkrais excercises 14.10-14.30 - thee, coffee, cookies 14.30-18.30- individual lessons on instrument
Location- Amsterdam (Contact for details)
Price : 50€ PP for each segment or 180 € for the complete workshop.
Teacher - Nadia David , cellist, Feldenkrais practitioner