University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

Child's play: Applying the Alexander Technique, Dart Procedures, and Framework for Integration to modern pedal harp performance

Happel Ashe, Claire

Permalink

https://hdl.handle.net/2142/105559

Description

Title
Child's play: Applying the Alexander Technique, Dart Procedures, and Framework for Integration to modern pedal harp performance
Author(s)
Happel Ashe, Claire
Issue Date
2019
Director of Research (if dissertation) or Advisor (if thesis)
Nettl-Fiol, Rebecca
Doctoral Committee Chair(s)
Yeung, Ann
Committee Member(s)
  • Mattax Moersch, Charlotte
  • Murray, Alexander
Department of Study
School of Music
Discipline
Music
Degree Granting Institution
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Degree Name
A.Mus.D. (doctoral)
Keyword(s)
  • developmental movement patterns
  • Alexander Technique
  • Raymond Dart
  • Joan Murray
  • Alex Murray
  • Feldenkrais harp
  • Tensegrity harp
  • spiral
Language
en
Abstract
The Alexander Technique is a method developed by Frederick Matthias Alexander. It offers a process by which to notice habits, both mental and physical, and change them. It is commonly used by musicians to aid in injury prevention, coordination, and one’s mental approach to performance. Neuroanatomist and anthropologist Raymond Dart discovered connections between the Alexander Technique and his own knowledge of anatomy and development. His articles on poise and developmental movement patterns that underlie skill led Alexander Technique teachers Joan and Alex Murray to create the Dart Procedures. The Dart Procedures take students through the various stages of child development from fetal to crawling and standing upright. Two students of the Murrays, Rebecca Nettl-Fiol and Luc Vanier, have applied both the Alexander Technique and Dart Procedures to their teaching of dance within an academic setting. In doing so, they have built a vocabulary and point of view titled the Framework for Integration through which to observe oneself in dynamic activities such as dancing. Their framework is equally applicable to all skilled movement. This thesis presents principles of the Alexander Technique, Dart Procedures, and Framework for Integration and applies them to the field of harp performance.
Type of Resource
  • text
  • image
Permalink
http://hdl.handle.net/2142/105559
Copyright and License Information
Copyright 2019 Claire Happel Ashe

Owning Collections

Doctoral Project Theses [Option 2] - Music PRIMARY