The Alexander Technique Consultancy

Alun Thomas mstat

Originally from Merthyr Tydfil in South Wales Alun has been involved with the Alexander Technique since his first lessons in 1981; h heas been teaching since 2001. He combines his work as an Alexander teacher (a delicate balancing act..!) with a career as a professional violinist, now playing mainly as a recitalist and chamber musician, in which role he has given chamber music concerts and recitals for BBC Radio Three and various music clubs and societies. He studied at the Royal Northern College of Music in Manchester.

He has performed (and recorded) regularly throughout the UK / internationally with many leading UK orchestras. In this capacity he has played as a leader, principal player and section violinist with several leading ensembles such as Northern Sinfonia and BBC orchestras, Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, London Mozart Players, Britten Sinfonia, London City Ballet, including several years as Co-Principal 2nd violin in the 1980s with the former Bournemouth Sinfonietta. He is also in much demand as a violin teacher and chamber music coach, enabling others to make use of the Alexander principles as they apply to music making.

At present he runs the Alexander Technique Consultancy, teaches at the Bloomsbury Alexander Centre in Central London, at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama and at his home in Windsor.

He enjoys presenting the Alexander Technique to people of all backgrounds and has given workshops to diverse groups such as musicians and actors and other performing artists. He gives regular Saturday workshops at the Bloomsbury Centre and classes over 4-weeks as an introduction to the technique. He also gives shorter introductory talks about the technique.

Recent engagements have included workshops - 'an Open and Shut Case', about musicians' preparation, at the International Congress for Alexander Teachers in Oxford in August 2004.

His other interests include running, cycling, allotment gardening and most outdoor activities; design, in its many aspects including green design and innovation, designs for manufacture of types of chair and also the production and marketing of an adjustable chinrest for violinists. He also enjoys theatre, cinema and rock and pop music. He lives in Windsor.