Teaching Staff
Michael D. Frederick, North Carolina, Hawaii, Malibu
Founder & Director
Michael is an internationally recognized teacher in the field of Psycho-physical Re-education. He trained as an Alexander Teacher in England with Walter Carrington and in America with Marjorie Barstow, both master teachers trained by F. M. Alexander. Michael studied in the U.S. and Israel as a Feldenkrais Practitioner and has extensive Yoga training in both the U.S. and India. He is the founding director of the first three International Congresses on the Alexander Technique and has organized over 150 workshops in the U.S. and Europe since 1978. Michael was voted best Alexander Teacher in Los Angeles magazine’s “Best of LA”.
“No problem can be solved from the same consciousness that created it.” —Albert Einstein
“You can’t do something you don’t know if you keep on doing what you do know.” —F.M. Alexander
Meade Andrews North Carolina, Malibu
Meade currently teaches as guest artist in theatre at Rider University, and in the music program at Westminster Choir College, both located in Princeton, New Jersey. She maintains a private Alexander Technique practice in the area, and also travels to teach in New York City, and Washington, DC, where she continues to present workshops at the Studio Theatre, her professional base for over 20 years. Meade has been teaching the Alexander Technique for 25 years, and also works as an acting coach and movement consultant for theatre productions. She recently completed a course in Alexander Technique and the ‘Art of Breathing’ with Jessica Wolf, and several teacher refresher courses with John Nicholls.
Carol Boggs North Carolina
Carol is an Alexander Teacher, Laban Movement Analyst, and Massage Therapist with B.S. and M.A. degrees in Dance. She practices in greater Washington DC, and has joined faculties teaching for AT residential courses in the U.S., Japan, and the Caribbean. In 2003 she completed Jessica Wolf ’s post graduate course, “The Art of Breathing”. Carol has been teaching the Alexander Technique since 1980. www.carolboggs.com
Lyn Charlsen North Carolina, Malibu
Director for the Alexander Training Institute, Los Angeles. Former Alexander Technique teacher for the University of Southern California School of Theatre, U.S.C. Music School/Opera Division, and at California State University. An Alexander Technique teacher for over 30 years, Lyn practices in Van Nuys and Santa Monica, CA.
Martha Hansen Fertman North Carolina
Martha has been teaching the Alexander Technique for thirty one years. In 1983 she co-founded an innovative teacher training program that has evolved into the Alexander Alliance, an international consortium of Alexander teacher training. She comes to the Alexander Technique through a broad base of movement studies from all types of dance to T’ai Chi Chuan and Authentic Movement. Her training in AT includes a 10-year apprenticeship with Marjorie Barstow as well as studies with Catherine Wielopolska and Elisabeth Walker, all first generation teachers. www.alexanderprinceton.com
Michael Gelb North Carolina, Malibu
This year, we are looking forward to a series of special presentations by Michael Gelb, author of Body Learning, An Introduction to the Alexander Technique, and the best-selling How to Think Like Leonardo da Vinci. Michael trained as an Alexander Teacher in London during the mid-1970s. Michael is an internationally renowned author, speaker, and consultant (and, yes, juggler) who helps individuals and organizations worldwide find innovative solutions to their most important challenges. Since 1979, clients such as DuPont, Merck, Microsoft and Nike have been inspired and transformed by Michael’s unique, creative approach. www.michaelgelb.com
Barbara Kent North Carolina
Barbara is former director of teacher training at the American Center for the Alexander Technique (ACAT) in New York. Barbara began her carreer by studying singing at Julliard School of Music. She is a certified Rubenfield Synergy Method Practitioner and a student of Carl Stough, integrating his principles of breathing coordination into her work. Barbara has been training Alexander Technique teachers and working in private practice for over 30 years in NYC.
Geordie MacMinn North Carolina
Geordie trained as an Alexander Technique teacher at the Alexander Training Institute of Los Angeles, earning his AmSAT certification in 2001. He has earned two post-graduate teacher certifications from the American Center for the Alexander Technique, NYC: The Art of Breathing with Jessica Wolf, (2003) and The Carrington Way of Working with John Nicholls, (2004). In Los Angeles, Geordie taught voice at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts and The Stella Adler Academy of Acting, as well as originating classes in the Alexander Technique into both of the curriculums. He also taught Alexander to classical singers in the OperaWorks summer training program at Cal State Northridge. He earned his BA in Acting from California State University at Fullerton, and has trained and performed with Shakespeare & Company. In 2003, Geordie joined the faculty of the University of North Carolina School of the Arts, School of Drama, teaching Alexander and Linklater Voice. Earning his Designation as a Linklater Voice Teacher in 2007, he traveled to Hamburg, Germany in the summer of 2008 to participate in an advanced teacher training with Kristin Linklater in Sound & Movement. In North Carolina, he has presented workshops in the Alexander Technique to singers and musicians, and maintains a private practice teaching Alexander Technique and Linklater Voice to people from all walks of life.
Frances Mardsen Malibu
Frances trained as an Alexander teacher at the Constructive Teaching Center in London with Walter and Dilys Carrington and has been teaching for thirty years. She completed two years postgraduate work at the Urbana Center for the Alexander Technique, directed by Joan and Alex Murray. Prior to her Alexander training, Frances studied acting at the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama, Glasgow. She is a member of the faculty and Board of the Alexander Training Institute of Los Angeles. She teaches at USC, Occidental College and California State University at Los Angeles. Besides teaching at USC, Occidental College and California State University at Los Angeles, Frances also teaches for “Shakespeare at the Huntington” and “Intimate Opera Company.” She maintains private practices in North Hollywood and Pasadena, California.
John Nicholls North Carolina
John trained in London from 1973 to 1976 with Walter and Dilys Carrington, and afterwards assisted the Carringtons daily on their teacher training course for eleven years. He has subsequently directed Alexander teacher training programs in England, Australia, and the U.S. His book, The Alexander Technique: In Conversation with John Nicholls and Sean Carey, was published in 1991. John, along with Nanette Walsh, is currently director of the ATNYC Alexander teacher training program in New York City. He maintains a private practice in New York, and directs postgraduate programs for teachers in the USA, UK, and other European countries.
Giora Pinkas Malibu
Giora is Founder and Director of The Alexander Educational Center in Berkeley, CA. Following a background in sports, physical education and dance and an interest in music and psychology, Giora studied with one of F.M Alexander’s outstanding successors, Patrick Macdonald. After a three year training and certifying in1967 he attended a voluntary 4th year, helping and learning at the training-course. Giora has been an Alexander instructor for 45 years and a trainer of Alexander teachers for over 35 years. He’s taught the technique in Israel, Germany, Switzerland, Austria, England, France, Ireland, Japan and the United States. In 1974 Giora co-founded in San Francisco the first 3-year, teacher-training course in the United States. For many years he served on the Board of Directors and as a Committee Chair of the American Society for the Alexander Technique (AmSAT) and currently serves as a Training Moderator for GLAT—the German Society. Giora is one of the most respected senior Alexander Teachers in North America and Europe.
Carol P. Prentice North Carolina, Hawaii, Malibu
Carol trained in the mid-1980s as an Alexander Teacher with Frank Ottiwell in San Francisco. She subsequently furthered her training with first generation Alexander Teachers Marjorie Barstow, Walter & Dilys Carrington, and Marjory Barlow. She has been teaching this work for over 25 years. Carol is also a Clinical Ayurvedic Specialist and graduate of the California College of Ayurveda. She currently teaches at the California College of Ayurveda and has an Alexander Practice in Grass Valley California. Carol is enrolled in a three year Yoga teacher training in the tradition of Sri T. Krishnamacharya at the Healing Yoga Foundation – San Francisco.
Judy Stern North Carolina
Judy has been a physical therapist for 40 years and an Alexander Technique teacher for over 25 years. Judy specializes in chronic or acute pain conditions, combining her knowledge of physical therapy and anatomy with her knowledge and skill as an Alexander Technique teacher. A senior member of the American Center for the Alexander Technique (ACAT) faculty, Judy also maintains a private practice in Rye, New York.
Lucia Walker North Carolina
Lucia lives in Oxford, England but trains and teaches internationally. Since qualifying as an Alexander Technique teacher in 1987, Lucia has taught individuals, groups, and on teacher training courses in Europe, America, and Japan. She continues to work as an independent dance teacher and performer specializing in improvisations.
Anne Waxman North Carolina
Former senior faculty member of the American Center for the Alexander Technique (ACAT) and the Actor Studio MFA Program in New York, Anne presently teaches the Alexander Technique at the William Esper Studio. She has presented the work to the general and performing art audiences and trained teachers nationally and internationally. Certified from ACAT in 1984, and the Art of Breathing in 2003, Anne offers Master Classes for performing artists and maintains a private practice in Manhattan.
Guest Teachers are at hand in the event that a faculty member is unable to teach. This always ensures an excellent 1 to 7 teacher-student ratio.