Mind Body Music School · 8th Annual Summer Retreat
Playing With(out) Pain,
Performing With(out) Fear
Integrative Alexander Technique for Musicians
From Peter Jacobson, Founder of Mind Body Music School
Dear Fellow Musician,
This summer, we’re creating a week-long refuge for musicians who want to honestly look at what’s working and what isn’t. In your whole self and whole life. And in the company of other musicians who want to lift you up as they lift themselves up.
Our theme is Playing With(out) Pain, Performing With(out) Fear. And yes, the “out” is intentional. Pain and fear are facts of life. We can learn to make music with them. And without them.
At the center of everything we’ll do is Integrative Alexander Technique, an approach pioneered by legendary teacher Marj Barstow. This approach is about applying the work directly to the activities you care most about — playing, singing, practicing, performing and teaching (if you also teach).
You’ll leave with a whole new set of tools and practices that are more than just temporary tips and tricks. They’ll help you access a different way of being with yourself, with your music and in the world.
“This work is too serious to be taken seriously.” — F.M. Alexander
Yes, this is deep, transformative work. But it’s also playful. We laugh a lot. We celebrate each other. We form new and sometimes lasting friendships.
We’ve been doing our summer retreats every year since 2018 (except 2020, when the world stood still) and I can honestly say that these six days are among the most joyful and meaningful of my entire year.
Is This Event for You?
Consider Joining Us If:
- Pain and fear limit what’s possible in your music practice and performance
- The work you do in practice doesn’t always translate to performances you’re happy with
- You’re a teacher who wants to help your students with pain and fear related issues
- You’ve hit a plateau in your music and sense something is missing
- You often feel alone in your struggles and want to be part of a community where others “get” it
- You’ve studied Alexander Technique before and want to go deeper. Or you’re completely new to it and ready to begin
This event is open to all adult musicians and music educators (18+) including instrumentalists, vocalists, teachers and conductors. Musicians under 18 are welcome with an adult chaperone.
What You’ll Learn
No PowerPoints. No Lectures. Learn by Doing.
With music and Integrative Alexander Technique as our center of gravity, we’ll also draw on physiology and anatomy, modern pain science, trauma recovery and music performance anxiety. (Our team has training in all these areas.)
This is hands-on, experiential learning. Through group exercises, games, movement explorations, and one-on-one coaching sessions (done with volunteers in front of the group), you’ll discover new things about yourself, your body and music making that might surprise you. And challenge some of your limiting beliefs.
We’re going to be exploring real and lasting solutions to tension, fear, pain and anxiety. Not just with our minds but with our whole self. This is true embodied learning.
One of the ways we’ll do this is through play, which brings lightness to the experience of learning. Yet we’ll also make space for the deeper work of letting go of outdated habits as well as any big emotions that might arise. We know that for real change to occur, we need both the light and the dark.
The Schedule
A Day in the Life
We offer a full schedule but always give you the freedom to choose your own adventure and do the retreat the way you want to do it.
Morning
Afternoon
Evening
We close the week with two Celebrations of Music, one for solos, one for ensembles, and a community performance at a local senior care facility that we all find very moving.
Meet the Team
Who You’ll Learn From
Peter Jacobson
Founder & Director, MBMS
Peter is an Alexander Technique teacher, conductor, and multi-instrumentalist. He lives in St. Paul and when he’s not teaching or writing, you’ll find him playing a racket sport or plotting to kidnap neighborhood dogs. (He would never.)
Michael Hanko
Alexander Technique Teacher & Master Voice Teacher
Michael is a longtime MBMS collaborator, the founder of FreeBody FreeVoice and a lifelong learner and explorer of many subjects. He lives in New York City and not only loves crossword puzzles, he creates them too.
Juliana Marin
Alexander Technique Teacher & Singer
Juliana is a teaching artist based in Baltimore who specializes in Alexander Technique and embodied voice work. When she’s not busy learning music you can find her mastering the art of using coupons at her local grocery store.
Okan Sipahioğlu
Alexander Technique Teacher & Classical Singer
Okan is a certified Alexander Technique teacher based in Catania, Italy, with over a decade of experience performing opera across Europe. He is fluent in 3 languages (Turkish, Italian and English) and loves dancing tango and playing volleyball in his spare time.
Kayla Liechty
Collaborative Pianist
Kayla is a collaborative pianist and vocal coach at Eastern New Mexico University who has worked with some of the finest musicians of our time. One of last year’s participants said about her: “Kayla is a national treasure!!” She also really, really loves dogs.
Past Participants Say
What People Experience
“This has taken me to a whole new level as a performer. It was transformative and fun.”
— Chris S.
“I feel like the retreat gave me back joy in music making. I have never performed in such a supported situation before and I’ll treasure the connections we all made.”
— Deborah U.
“The experience exceeded my expectations. I learned so much about myself and really connected with like minded people.”
— Ann H.
“This retreat helped me to grow as a performer and musical collaborator. I reached new levels in my artistry and teaching thanks to the creativity and insight of the teachers and the supportiveness of the other participants.”
— Jane R.
“The most profound addition to my musical journey I could have ever imagined. This experience not only invited me to be a more coordinated and expansive musician but human as well.”
— Jen A.
“Throughout the week I gained knowledge about how to better organize my body and bring my whole-self into my music making. The faculty are amazing! Their gentle support and guidance encouraged us to explore the work and ourselves deeper.”
— Laura C.
“The retreat was powerful and transformative to my music making, and my way of thinking as a human being.”
— Sarah T.
“Being part of a community and culture that lets everyone’s authentic self radiate is rare. MBMS is one of those communities.”
— Anonymous
The Venue
The DeKoven Center
We return for another year to the historic DeKoven Center in Racine, Wisconsin, right on the shores of Lake Michigan. We like to call it “the Hogwarts of the Midwest.” It’s a genuinely magical place to spend a week.
Lodging
Single, double and triple rooms available. Simple, clean, comfortable. All air-conditioned. Gender-specific bathrooms shared by a small number of guests.
Meals
All meals included (3 per day). The DeKoven Center accommodates dietary needs with advance notice.
Getting There
~75 min from Chicago O’Hare, ~40 min from Milwaukee. Free parking. Ride sharing from airports organized by MBMS.
Arrival & Departure
Arrive Sunday July 12, 3–5pm. Depart Friday July 17 at noon. Dinner and opening session Day 1 evening.
Registration
Pricing & Early-Bird Rates
Your registration fee includes all tuition, meals, and lodging.
Included with Registration
Every participant will receive print copies of two brand-new handbooks: Playing With(out) Pain and Performing With(out) Fear.
Single Room
$1,995
$1,695
Book by June 1 to save $300
Double Room
$1,695
$1,445
Book by June 1 to save $250
Triple Room
$1,395
$1,185
Book by June 1 to save $210
Contact us directly to inquire about student rates, commuter rates, monthly payment plans, educator grants, need-based scholarships, and group discounts (3 or more).
Spots are limited. Early-Bird pricing (15% off) ends June 1, 2026.
Questions
FAQ
Do I need to have prior experience with Alexander Technique?
We warmly welcome complete beginners as well as intermediate and advanced students of the work, including Alexander Technique teacher-trainees and certified teachers.
Can I attend only part of the week?
The retreat is built around creating a close-knit community of trust and safety, so we ask that all participants commit to the entire week.
Can you accommodate dietary restrictions?
Yes! The DeKoven Center can accommodate dietary needs like gluten-free, dairy-free, vegan, vegetarian and food allergies. There’s also a large fridge and microwave that participants can access anytime.
Is financial assistance available?
Yes. We offer student rates, Educator Grants (designed for music educators without access to professional development funds), and need-based scholarships. Reach out to Peter directly to inquire.
Do you offer continuing education credit?
MBMS does not offer CE credit directly, but many employers allow independent submission for approval. We’ll provide whatever official documentation you need on MBMS letterhead.
What is the refund policy?
Full refunds (less a $100 admin fee) before June 30. Account credit (less $100) for cancellations July 1–10. Cancellations after July 10 forfeit the registration fee. Medical emergencies will receive account credit.
Should I bring my instrument?
Absolutely! Much of the work involves making music in real time. If you’re a vocalist, just bring yourself. Pianists and organists will have access to a variety of instruments on site: a grand piano, a Clavinova, an upright piano, and a small organ.
What if I’m not a performer?
Not to worry. Many participants are primarily teachers, and the work applies just as much to how you teach as to how you perform. You won’t be asked to do anything you’re not comfortable with.
Your Invitation to Join Us
Miles Davis once said that it can take a long time to sound like yourself.
It can also take a long time to BE yourself. Maybe even a lifetime.
But isn’t that what we all really want?
One of the most beautiful things about this retreat is that we not only come home to who we really are, we also help walk each other home.
If you feel ready for that, I would love to see you in Racine this July.
In Music,
Peter Jacobson
Founder & Director
Mind Body Music School
