Alan Fraser

Canadian pianist Alan Fraser completed a Feldenkrais training in 1992 with the aim of developing a new approach to piano technique. Working with pioneering pedagogue Phil Cohen in Montreal and consummate virtuoso Kemal Gekić in Serbia, he applied the Feldenkrais ideas to the “hand as a mini-body” to create Piano Somatics – the art of marrying physical gesture to musical inflection. He works with pianists at the Alan Fraser Piano Institute and has also presented his work in his books The Craft of Piano Playing, Honing the Pianistic Self-Image, All Thumbs: Well-Coordinated Piano Technique, Play the Piano with Your Whole Self, and most recently the first Feldenkrais-based piano method, Pianimals. Fraser’s focus on the body enhances artistic expression, increasing dexterity, power, and richness of tone even while developing sensitivity and precision. Designed for healthy pianists, his approach also effectively addresses performance injury. Alan Fraser has retired from his position at the University of Novi Sad, Serbia, but continues to give recitals and master classes worldwide.

Spoken language: English