Audition Cafe

Introduction

Alex has spent decades as a bassoonist and contrabassoonist teaching private lessons, performing with local orchestras, and playing in and coaching chamber groups, as well as working with musicians as a Feldenkrais® Practitioner.

​Alex’s teaching style is heavily influenced by her understanding of learning and neuroplasticity, as well as body awareness and human performance, from the Feldenkrais® Method. She lets the student’s own curiosity and interest drive the learning and provides an environment where they can experiment and find what works for them. Alex empowers students to sense and hear themselves so they can improve on their own, foster their love for music, and develop life skills applicable both personally and professionally.
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Alex has played with the Rochester Symphony Orchestra (MI), Holland Symphony Orchestra (MI), Hope College Symphony Orchestra, Hope College Wind Ensemble, Muncie Symphony Orchestra, and East Central Indiana Chamber Orchestra, among others. Her opera and ballet orchestra experience includes The Marriage of Figaro, La Périchole, Die Fledermaus, Falstaff, and The Nutcracker.

As a Guild Certified Feldenkrais® Practitioner, Alex works with musicians to help them improve body awareness and ease of movement, reduce tension, prevent injury, and enhance performance. Alex has taught Feldenkrais® workshops for musicians at Brevard Music Center Summer Institute & Festival; University of Michigan School of Music, Theatre & Dance; Indiana University Jacobs School of Music; and more.  Her article, “Creating Optimal Learning Conditions: A Practical Application of the Feldenkrais Method® in Music” was published in the in The Double Reed Journal (Vol. 39 No. 3, 2016).

​Alex holds a Master of Music in Bassoon Performance from Ball State University, where she studied bassoon and contrabassoon with Dr. Keith Sweger, taught as a Graduate Assistant, and played in the BSU Graduate Woodwind Quintet. Alex earned her Bachelor of Music in Bassoon Performance, with a minor in German, from Arizona State University, studying with Dr. Albie Micklich. Alex spent two summers studying Chamber Music at Bay View Music Festival in northern Michigan with Jill Marderness and playing in the Woodwind Quintet and Opera Orchestra.

As a young musician, Alex spent six years playing with the Detroit Symphony Orchestra’s Civic Youth Ensembles, studied with principal bassoonist Robert Williams, and attended many music camps, including Interlochen Bassoon Institute, Ball State Bassoon Camp, and University of Michigan Bassoon Institute.