Teaching Perspective:

In every moment of life, we are changing.   We can positively influence the process of change, using our intelligence to pursue movement goals.  My hope is that in our work together, my students will develop a wider range of movement choices, deeper understanding of individual challenges, and freer access to the profound pleasure of a rich physical life.

I am committed to helping my students achieve greater expertise in their physical pursuits, as well as to improve their overall condition in the areas of postural patterning, kinesthetic awareness, dynamic abdominal support, functional movement and breath coordination.  My approach to movement education embraces a balance of strength, flexibility, cardiovascular condition and body awareness. Drawing on my experience as a professional dancer, choreographer and movement educator from 1978 to the present, I use anatomical analysis and neuromuscular training techniques to address problems on an individual basis.  My aim as a teacher is to think freshly, flexibly and creatively about each of my students.



    Neuromuscular Training & Movement Education

Teaching Experience:

1990–present            Certified Teacher of Alexander Technique.   Private practice, which has expanded to include body

conditioning and neuromuscular training.

1996–present            Teaching Assistant to Irene Dowd, Teacher training courses, Dancers Clinic, "Kinesthetic Anatomy

and Physiology of Motion", “Communication through Touch", "Dancer's Lab", "Movement

Problem Solving" (privately offered courses of study.)

1999–present            Faculty, Sarah Lawrence College, Dance Dept.  Functional Anatomy with Irene Dowd's "Spirals",

Anatomy & Graduate Seminars, First Year Studies in Dance, Beginning Improvisation, Contemporary Dance, Dance Training Conference and Independent Study courses in Dance.

2004–present            Guest Instructor, Ailey School at Fordham University.  Senior Seminar, Functional Anatomy.

2012-13                        Anatomy Instructor, Ashtanga Sadhana Intensive Training Course directed by Lori Brungard.

2010                        Guest Instructor, Smith College & Mt. Holyoke College.  Spirals, Functional Anatomy and Dance

Training Lab with faculty, graduate and undergraduate students.

2009                        Residency, Sayles School of Fine Arts, Schenectady, NY.  Fine Arts Seminar, Multi-arts workshop.

2008                        Summer workshop with Sara Rudner.  Summer Stages Dance at Concord Academy, Concord, MA.

2005 – 2007            Summer workshops with Sara Rudner & Anneke Hansen.  Irish Modern Dance Theater, Dublin,

Ireland.

2003 - 2007            Anatomy for yoga teacher training program, Baby Om, NYC.

2007                        Spring Workshop with Sara Rudner, Movement Research, NYC.

2006                        “The Exquisite Versatility of Our Upper Body” Summer workshop with Irene Dowd,

University of Utah/Salt Lake City, Dance Department.

2000                        Faculty, Doug Varone & Dancers Summer 2000 Workshop, Purchase College Conservatory of

                        Dance. Morning Warm Up.

1998, 1999            Faculty, Jacob's Pillow Dance Festival, Modern Traditions Workshop. Functional Anatomy and Irene Dowd’s “Spirals.”

1998, 1999            Faculty, The School for Film & Television, 2 year program, Movement for Actors.

1985 - 1996            Associate Director, Manhattan based personal training company.  Responsibilities included

                        development of one-on-one training technique and company philosophy in collaboration with

                        Kate Gyllenhaal (founder), working with clients, training all instructors, researching special needs

                        (E.g. Parkinson's Disease, Multiple Sclerosis, injury rehabilitation), PR and financial management.

1985-1986              Fitness Instructor, Apple Health Club.  Group aerobics, stretch and toning classes, personal training

on machines and free weights.

Education and Training:

2002–present            Biochemistry of Nutrition & Health workshops with Rebecca Dietzel & Irene Dowd including

General Nutrition, Healthier Bones, Tendon Strength, Menopause, Inflammation,

Stress/Transforming, Supple Joints, Vascular Adaptability/Vascular Health, Absorbing Nutrients, as

well as Seasonal Juncture workshops from the Ayurvedic perspective with Ms. Dietzel.

1991-present            Functional Anatomy, Neuromuscular Training and Movement Education, Assistants’            

                        Training, Dancers Clinic courses with Irene Dowd

1988-1990            Teacher Certification in Alexander Technique with Aileen Crow.  Course work included Cranio

                        Sacral therapy, Dreambody work and Stough Breath Coordination.

1985-1993            Pilates training with Clarice Marshall, Christine Wright, Jean-Claude West.

1981-1984            M.F.A., B.F.A. in Dance, New York University Tisch School of the Arts, Lawrence

                        Rhodes,Director. Included two years of Anatomy with André Bernard.



Who I Am

Peggy has worked as dancer, choreographer, collaborator, actress, assistant director and stage manager in New York City for over 30 years with artists including Patricia Hoffbauer, George Emilio Sanchez, Sharon Hayes,Sara Rudner, Bryan Fox, Joyce S. Lim, David Gordon, Ann Carlson, Meredith Monk, Michael Mayer and Tony Kushner. Performance venues in New York, Vermont and Texas have presented her multidisciplinary performance works since 1995.  In addition to her performing career, Peggy has worked extensively as a movement educator, in private practice (1990-present), as assistant to her teacher and mentor, Irene Dowd, in functional anatomy, neuromuscular training and movement education courses (1996-present), and as faculty member in Dance at Sarah Lawrence College (1999-present), teaching Anatomy, Graduate Seminar, First Year Studies in Dance, Improvisation and Contemporary Practice.  Peggy is a certified Teacher of Alexander Technique and earned her BFA and MFA degrees in Dance from NYU Tisch School of the Arts.