John Dalto
I worked for 9 years in NYC startups designing algorithms. Following a workplace repetitive strain injury, I found my career in jeopardy and began making a series of lifestyle changes to and address the issue rather than follow the route of taking medications/having surgery which is often prescribed. I found my way to the Alexander Technique at the suggestion of my saxophone teacher Marc Mommaas and found the benefits to be all-encompassing in my life after my first lesson.
I studied with Beret Arcaya in New York City from 2011 until moving to Amsterdam in 2017 to train to be a teacher with Paul Versteeg and Tessa Marwick. After graduating – and with some pandemic pit stops along the way – I returned to New York City to continue my post graduate studies.
I can personally vouch for many of the advertised benefits of practicing the technique. Since beginning this work, I have progressed from being unable to pick up a glass of water to playing Charlie Parker’s Koko at 300 bpm.
Saxophone
Outside of my Alexander Technique studies, I am interested in playing the saxophone. I have slowly been checking out how Joe Allard talks about playing and figuring out what does and does not work from the perspective of the technique. While I am most comfortable playing the alto, I am spending more time with the tenor and eventually want to get back to playing the baritone.
If you are interested in studying the saxophone with me, my lessons are really Alexander Technique lessons where we will explore carrying the weight of the instrument so that the breath and arms are free. You can see what this looks like by checking out a video of Marc Mommaas or Joshua Redman.