(732)
713-4424 Stephanie@EnergeticSelf.comStephanie
F. Kalka (732)
713-4424 Stephanie@EnergeticSelf.com
About Stephanie Kalka
In 1998, I was in the middle of my Master’s degree in flute performance and I had a bright future. I had begun to prepare for orchestral auditions, I played solos in the university symphony, and I played gigs all over town. Between rehearsals and my own practice schedule, I played eight to ten hours every day. On the whole, my coursework was more difficult than during my time as an undergraduate, and my performance goals were more rigorous. At night, in keeping with my high-strung personality, I would audibly grind my teeth. Gradually, day by day, my jaw began to hurt. I was diagnosed with TMJD (Temporomandibular Joint Dysfunction, or tendonitis of the jaw). My jaw’s range of motion deteriorated to the point where I could barely clear a fork. Along with bi-weekly visits to a physical therapist, I ate a diet of soft food and I took pain medications and muscle relaxants. Since the prescription medicine made me tired, I took four Motrin every four hours during the day and iced my jaw every four or five hours. I also began speaking with surgeons.
My condition worsened to the point where I had to file for disability. This meant that I would be excused from all ensembles (wind ensemble, orchestra, and chamber music) and my graduate recital time was decreased from one hour to half an hour. To play for 30 minutes at a time was excruciating, but I needed to do it in order to graduate. After I finished my recital, I walked backstage and with a broken heart, I put my instrument into its case and did not take it out for three years. I thought my flute career was over.
After graduating, I spent a long, lonely time without music. Unbelievably, even though I wasn’t playing the flute I was still in pain. It was then I knew the problem went far beyond the flute: it was how I dealt with stress on a daily basis. However, I had no idea how to undo the many layers of tension I had built up over the years.
I grew to believe I would always be in a lot of pain. There didn’t seem to be any hope until a friend asked me if I’d tried the Alexander Technique. The friend tried to explain what this method entailed, but I couldn’t really understand. In desperation, I scheduled a lesson with an Alexander teacher who was also a violist. He, himself, had suffered with tendonitis in his shoulder and TMJD, but because of the Alexander Technique, he overcame those obstacles and was playing professionally once more! Even though I wasn’t sure what would happen during the lesson, his story was a good indication that he could help me. After one lesson I was hooked. My teacher observed the amount of strain I carried throughout my body and patiently coached me through letting a bit of it go. Since it took years for me to get into that state of tension, he didn’t expect me to be able to release it all at once. Instead, he gave me constant encouragement while simultaneously stopping me from being so hard on myself (he asked me to let go of thoughts like, “Why can’t I do this? Why can’t I unclench my arm? I’ve failed. I’ll never get this right.”).
For the first time in years I had a glimpse of what it would feel like to be pain-free. The sensation of lightness and freedom I experienced only lasted until I left my teacher's studio, but it gave me hope. With each lesson, the sense of ease within me became greater and lasted longer.
In December of 2003, I became a certified teacher of the Alexander Technique. I know that I have a choice in how I feel. I can be aware of my internal tension and change the habitual patterns that lead to it. As long as I use my Alexander thinking, I will succeed a little more each day. I am making it my mission to teach others to empower themselves.
I don't believe that people need to become Alexander teachers to have relief from muscular strain. Amazing things can happen during a series of weekly, 45 minute lessons. The Alexander Technique can enhance your entire life or just a part of it. You decide. I’ve learned to enjoy the journey instead of just commuting through my existence. The world might be a better place if more people knew about the Alexander Technique.
Resumé
American Center for the Alexander Technique, New York, January 2001-December 2003
Alex Farkas, 2004
Pedro de Alcantara, 2003
Elizabeth and Lucia Walker, 2001 and 2003
John Nicholls, 2002
Guest Speaker at the Suburban Music Center in New Providence, NJ, July 2005
Faculty Member for the Introduction to Guitar Craft Course in Dixon, IL, June 2005
Faculty Member for the Guitar Craft Course for Levels I through II½ in Lebanon, NJ, March 2005
Speaker on a Panel Discussion at the Children’s Specialized Hospital, Mountainside, NJ, February 2005
Faculty Member for the Introduction to Guitar Craft Course in Lebanon, NJ, January 2005
Guest Speaker at the NJ Friends Meeting for Families of Deployed Soldiers, Somerville, NJ, Oct. 2004
Guest Speaker at the Setnor School of Music at Syracuse University, Syracuse, NY, October 2004
Consulting Instructor for the
Alexander Technique Extensive Project in Atlanta, GA, September – May 2004
Group classes taught at the New Jersey Workshop for the Arts, July – November 2004
Guest Speaker at the Suburban Music Center in New Providence, NJ, February 2004
Faculty Member at the American Center for the Alexander Technique, Jan. - June 2004
New Jersey and New York Guitar Circles, 2002-Present
New Jersey and New York Guitar Weekend on Shelter Island, November 2003
Level 3 Guitar Craft Course in Atlanta, GA, September 2003
Fretboard Fundamentals Masterclasses with Tony Geballe, May-July, 2003
Women’s Retreat Music Course in Charlottesville, VA, March 2003
Guest Speaker for the Black Achievers club at the YMCA, Westfield, NJ, March 2003
Introduction to Guitar Craft Course in Lebanon, NJ, September 2002
I have taught people from many different backgrounds including musicians, actors, dancers, college students, and corporate workers.
Chair of the Committee to Increase Enrollment, American Center for the Alexander Technique, May 2004-Present
Teaching Private Flute, Piano, and Voice Lessons, Texas and New Jersey, August 1997-Present
Administrative work for both Nonprofit and For-Profit Industries, NY and NJ, August 1999-March 2003
Article: “Using the Alexander Technique” in Flute Talk magazine, April 2005
Masters
in Music, magna cum laude, University of Texas at Austin, August 1997-May 1999
Bachelors in Music, cum laude, Syracuse University, August 1994-May 1997
Cooking, literature, music, teaching, yoga
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Stephanie
F. Kalka (732)
713-4424 Stephanie@EnergeticSelf.com