André Bernard (1924-2003)

Biographical Essay

By Pamela Matt

Letters

These letters from André Bernard to Pamela Matt and her mother began when Barbara Clark moved from New York City to Urbana, Illinois.

Ideokinesiology Syllabus New York University 1976

Bernard’s syllabus for Ideokinesiology describing course purpose, calendar, topics, texts and pre-requisites.

Kinesiology for the Dancer Syllabus New York University 2000

A handwritten syllabus Bernard prepared for his course, Kinesiology for the Dancer, Section Two, New York University for the Fall 2000.

Kinesthetics of Anatomy Undated Syllabus

Syllabus that André Bernard prepared for his course, Kinesthetics of Anatomy taught at New York University. Date unknown.

Class Planning Notes New York University 1980

Bernard’s brief handwritten planning notes for a New York University class in 1980.

Berkeley Workshop Class Notes Early 1970’s

Lesson Notes and practice exercise outlines from a workshop given by André Bernard in Berkeley, California in the early 1970’s.

Beginning Workshop Class Notes Berkeley 1974

Class notes recorded during two-week workshop Bernard conducted in Berkeley, California. The two week workshop was attended by approximately 20 students, largely dancers. These notes document ten lessons of approximately two to three hours in length.

Advanced Workshop Class Notes Berkeley 1974

Class notes recorded during a two-week advanced workshop Bernard conducted in Berkeley, California. The workshop was attended by approximately 20 students, largely dancers. These notes document ten lessons of approximately two to three hours in length.

“Creative Body Alignment Workshop,” Berkeley, CA 1977

Class notes from Creative Body Alignment Workshop taught by Andre Bernard June 6 – 17, 1977. This detailed record, prepared for the TBI Archive by Nancy Lyons, provides notes on the experiential work and lectures with drawings that illustrate the lessons.

Workshop Brochure 1989

A brochure describing a “Creative Body Alignment” workshop offered by André Bernard in 1989. The workshop was sponsored by Berkeley Moving Arts in Berkeley, California.

Workshop Brochure 2001

A brochure for André Bernard’s Creative Body Alignment Workshop offered by Berkeley Moving Arts in Berkeley, California in 2001.

Generic Workshop Brochure

A general description of the approach Bernard offered through his workshops. A brief biography is also included.

Basic Constructive Rest Transcript

Introductory explanation of the constructive rest position including “empty suit” imagery for various parts of the body. Imagery for the “smoothing of wrinkles” and the “passage of sand” are emphasized.

Transcript Advanced Lesson #4 Berkeley 1974

Transcript of an audio cassette tape recorded in Bernard’s Berkeley Creative Body Alignment Workshop in 1974. The transcript documents Advanced Lesson #4. In addition to the review of past imagery, this lesson focused on the relationship between the pubic symphysis and the 12th thoracic vertebra and the release of muscular tension held around the spinous processes in the cervical/thoracic transition.

Introduction to Ideokinesis – Original Typed Manuscript

Typewritten version of article entitled “Introduction to Ideokinesis” which appeared in Contact Quarterly in 1997 and was eventually published in Ideokinesis: A Creative Approach to Human Movement and Body Alignment in both the German and English editions.

“Ideokinesis and Creative Body Alignment,” 1997

Presents an article composed by André Bernard introducing the discipline of Ideokinesis including a brief history, a definition of the term “ideokinesis” and a description of a lesson. The introduction is followed by an interview that describes Bernard’s personal history in the teaching, discussion of the nature of imagery, postural patterns and implications for the training of dancers, as well as other related topics.

“Images in Vocal Training,” 2002

Article prepared for the VASTA newsletter by a broadcasting colleague who attended Bernard’s workshops in California. Later, she was the featured speaker at his memorial service. The article introduces Bernard’s work and discusses how he influenced the author’s teaching.

Newsletter Announcement of Bernard’s Death 2003

A tribute to André Bernard written by a broadcasting colleague who was also the featured speaker at his memorial service. The article was circulated widely via e-mail after his death in 2003.

“Remembering André Bernard 1924-2003,” 2004

Article commemorating the life and work of André Bernard after his death in 2003, which appeared in Contact Quarterly, Winter/Spring 2004. The article consists of remembrances from Alice Brydges, Kayte Ringer, Barbara Forbes, Loraine Corfield, Eric Franklin, K.J. Holmes, Kate Jones, Amos Hetz, Ursula Stricker, Wolfgang Steinmüller and Nancy Lyons.

Bernard Interview (Matt) August 1988

Notes from a lengthy telephone interview in which André Bernard answered questions relating his impressions of Clark’s work in New York City in the 1950’s. The subjects he discussed included his first lessons with Miss Clark; Erick Hawkins’ interpretation of the teaching; the Technique for Movement studio; points of disagreement between Clark and Joanne Emmons; the diminishing role of touch in Clark’s teaching; the nature of the relationship between Clark and Lulu Sweigard; Clark’s use of dance interest in promoting her teaching; and the lawsuit brought by the State of New York against Mabel Todd for practicing medicine without a license.

Bernard Interview (Matt) September 1988

Notes from a telephone interview in which André Bernard answered questions posed by Pamela Matt regarding Barbara Clark’s New York teaching in the 1950’s.