Sheau-Fang Low

Stop: Revive your string teaching with the Alexander Technique

There is a myriad of challenges for string teachers who combine performance and pedagogy skills, such as managing the expectations of administrators and parents, along with the increasingly screen based learning milieu of the 21st century students. These challenges have yet to be addressed in any teaching methods available on the market. The Alexander Technique (AT) is based on long established principles and provides the learner with increased awareness on how the mind and body interact in activity, creating the flow state. Mental and physical states are intrinsically linked, with poise associated with engaged mental states. The AT process empowers the person with choice, where constructive alternatives to usual or habitual reactions may emerge in the moment. This presentation outlines the basic AT processes, providing string teachers some practical strategies with tools to enable self-care and to cultivate compassion in teaching situation. There will be examples of application of the AT, offering string teachers opportunities for constructive change from the default habitual reaction. This practice relates to the core principles of the Alexander Technique: Inhibition –  the prevention of undesirable states of mind and body and Direction –  the new thinking that promotes improved functioning. These strategies can also be used to improve student-rapport and enhancing student learning outcomes.

About Sheau-Fang Low

Sheau-Fang Low studied violin under Shi-Xiang Zhang, Alice Waten, Charmain Gadd and Semyon Kobets. Her experience in string pedagogy includes a variety of approaches from notable teachers such as Janet Davies and Geza Szilvay. She has taught in both public and private schools, from beginner string programs through to HSC extension music performance; and in her private studio. The quest to guide students to achieve their musical potential while nurturing their love for music, has seen her delved into the studies of various approaches. This resulted in certification from the Alexander Technique International, Suzuki Talent Education Association and Dalcroze Australia.
Sheau-Fang has given presentations on diverse aspects of violin teaching in workshops and conferences, including the Investigating Music Performance Conference (London), International String Workshop, the Australian Violin Pedagogy Conference, the Australian Society of Music Education (ASME) National Conference and numerous Australian Strings Association (AUSTA) National Conferences. She is the founding committee member and of the Australian Strings Academy, where she assisted in organising summer schools. She has taught in various music camps, including the residential summer string camp in Tasmania. Over the years, she has also volunteered in numerous music committees. A longstanding member of the Willoughby Symphony Orchestra, Sheau-Fang remains active in violin performance.