Music Composition WorkshopPeriklis Liakakis in cooperation with MV ensemble
28 March 2023
Alexander Technique Workshop for Musicians and Performing Artists
Coordination: Thodoris Ziarkas
Duration: 30 hours
Language: English
18 - 24 August
(18.8 welcome date / 24.8 departure date)
The Alexander Technique is a practical method that seeks to align the body, the breath and the mind. The method is based on self-awareness, on the recognition of our habits and our ability to change.
The cultivation of a kinesthetic perception is the starting point for gaining a deeper understanding of the nature of habit and then the development of practical methods that help us choose our reactions to external stimuli. With the use of movement, observation and spontaneity it helps the freedom of movement, balance and free artistic expression.
The ideas and procedures developed by the Alexander method are widely used in all activities of musicians, dancers, and actors from technique, vocal studies, sound production, and daily practice routine, as well as performance anxiety. In addition, it approaches other problems such as injuries to the spine, repetitive strain injuries, tennis elbow, etc.
The method is officially taught in the largest music institutions worldwide such as the Royal College of Music, Juilliard School, Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music & Dance, Paris National Conservatoire of Music and Dance, Shanghai Conservatory of Music, etc.
The seminar will approach:
- Injury prevention/pain management
- Stage presence
- Understanding of sound and voice production
- Improve daily practice routine
- Basic knowledge of anatomy and its application
- Flow of breath
- Balance and posture
- Balance relationship with the musical instrument
- Performance anxiety and coming to terms with it
- Warming up
The workshop includes daily group lessons working with the musical instruments, the voice and the body. Physical activities and games outside of the creative process, movement work in the natural landscape of the village with ideas inspired by Qi-Gong and martial arts, as well as discussions about creativity and the artist’s body awareness.
Each student will receive an individual lesson during the workshop period.
The workshop is open to musicians, singers, and performing arts artists (theatre, circus, acrobatics) of all levels, age and knowledge.
Thodoris Ziarkas
Thodoris began lessons in the Alexander Technique in 2012 and later completed the three-year teacher training course at the London Centre for Alexander Technique & Training (UK), under the guidance of Refia Sacks, Roger Kidd, and Judith Kleinman, graduating in 2017.
During the last decade he has studied the technique with a variety of international teachers such as Alex Farkas, James Allsopp, Ilana Machover, Pedro De Alcantara, Lucia Walker, Wolfgang Weiser, Hidemi Hatada amongst others. After qualifying as a teacher, he assisted
at the Royal College of Music with Peter Buckoke, at the Associated Studios in London with Penny O' Connor, and the London School of Musical theatre with Judith Kleinman.
Since then, Thodoris has taught privately in London and has given group workshops at the University of Lincoln (UK), the music department of the University of Macedonia in Greece, in Brussels, and Berlin. Further on, he has cultivated an interest in martial arts, I have been regularly practicing Qigong.
As a double bassist and composer Thodoris studied Jazz at Middlesex University in London and Film Scoring at Codarts Conservatory in Rotterdam.
Based in London since 2009 he is the co-founder of the group Valia Calda, as well as presenting the solo performance Reconstruction for double bass and electronics, and additionally leading his trio Thodoris Ziarkas'S Collection of Sand. Current and previous
collaborations include Nancy Mounir's Nozhet El Nofous, Tom Sochas Trio, AMAN!!!, the on-going collaboration with dance artist Georgia Paizi on the project the SEED.
Over the last decade Thodoris has performed in numerous festivals in the UK and Europe as well as in Cuba, USA and Armenia. Collaborations include: London Improvisers Orchestra, Okay Temiz, Yazz Ahmed, Anna Homler, Steve Beresford, Savina Yannatou, Tony Kofi, Maggie Nichols, Daemonia Nymphe, Adam Bohman, Manos Achalinotopoulos, Cigdem Aslan.
Ελληνικά 
English