Book a Lesson Online
New to the technique, and need help finding the right teacher for you? Contact us.
Nanette Walsh | Ariel Carson | Nadav Nazarathy | Serena Venditto | Silas Harris| Sue Wong
Nanette Walsh

Nanette Walsh, m.AmSAT,
M.F.A., M.A. is the founder and director of both the Sapientia Initiative’s 501(c)3 organization, and RIAT, its flagship Teacher Certification Program. Previously, Nan founded and co-directed Alexander Technique New York City (ATNYC), training teachers from 2005-2014.
Full bio
Nan recently earned a Masters degree in Psychology and Systematic Theology from Union Theological Seminary (2021). In 2018, Nan authored Unsmudged: An Encounter with Peggy Williams, a First Generation Teacher of the Alexander Technique.
She has taught at the American Center for the Alexander Technique (ACAT) on the Resident Associate Faculty (2005-2008); Alexander Technique Workshops, Sweet Briar, Virginia (2007-2012); the School of Visual Arts (SVA) (1987-1990).
She also holds an MFA in Art Media Studies from The College of Visual and Performing Arts at Syracuse University (1982); she received her AmSAT teacher certification in 1995 after training at ACAT; and subsequently undertook extensive post-graduate work in London with Walter Carrington and Peggy Williams.
Nan was appointed to AmSAT’s Board of Directors in 2009, and served an extended tenure as AmSAT’s Chair (2011); she served on AmSAT’s Professional Conduct Committee (2008); Leadership Advisory Council (2012-2014.) Nan has been awarded: AmSAT’s Certificate of Merit (2012).
Nan is also a long standing practitioner of tai chi, various forms of contemplative meditation, and depth psychology.
Ariel Carson

Ariel Carson, m.AmSAT, SEP, is an associate director and faculty member at RIAT. She received her AmSAT teaching certification through Alexander Technique New York City (ATNYC), headed by teachers Nanette Walsh and John Nicholls.
Full bio
Ariel is also a Somatic Experiencing Practitioner, and SE training assistant. She has assisted at The Juilliard School, and guest taught at Boston University where she earned her BFA. She has also been a guest teacher at The Colburn School, and Saint Ann’s School. Ariel previously worked as a teaching artist for the Leadership Program, teaching leadership skills through the arts to under-served students in New York City public schools. She is the organizer of the Healing for Activists NYC chapter. From her work with U.S. veterans, to performers, to activists, to the LGBTQ+ community, Ariel is most interested in teaching the Alexander Technique as part of a holistic and multifaceted approach to cultivating greater sustainability, vitality, and freedom in the body-minds of her current and future clients. www.wavesomatics.com
Nadav Nazarathy

Nadav Nazarathy, m.AmSAT, completed his AmSAT certified training (1600 hours) at Riverside Initiative for the Alexander Technique headed by Nanette Walsh and associate directors Lori Schiff & Ariel Carson.
Full bio
Nadav is also a jazz pianist in training and holds a degree in jazz performance (BFA, 2017) from the New School for Jazz and Contemporary Music, where he first began to study the Alexander Technique with Caren Bayer, Rebecca Tuffey and Cynthia Reynolds. Upon graduating the New School, he immediately began his Alexander Technique teacher training and graduated as a certified teacher in 2020. Nadav maintains a private practice of teaching the Technique alongside performances with jazz ensembles in New York and abroad, while also teaching piano in ways which are influenced by the principles of the Technique. Currently residing in Chelsea, New York, Nadav is faculty at the teacher’s training course at Riverside Initiative for the Alexander Technique, while also teaching people from diverse backgrounds individually and in groups.
Serena Venditto

Serena Venditto, m.AmSAT, completed her 1600 hours of AmSAT training at the Riverside Initiative for the Alexander Technique (RIAT) headed by Nanette Walsh and associate directors Lori Schiff & Ariel Carson.
Full bio
As a recovering perfectionist and chronic over-thinker, Serena learned how to be more present and move with more freedom through the Alexander Technique. Now, she wants to share this work with others who want to connect more fully to themselves and the world around them.
Silas Harris

Silas Harris, m.AmSAT, was one of the youngest people ever to be certified by the AmSAT board at his time of certification. His teaching focuses on playfulness, curiosity, and taking the stress out of self exploration.
Full bio
Currently, he teaches individual private lessons, and is available for group workshops or specialized classes. Silas is a stage and voice actor, and is passionate about helping people express themselves and find their voices. For more information about his teaching, go to silasemersonharris.com/alexandertechnique.
Sue Wong

Susan Wong, m.AmSAT is a small batch producer of specialty baked goods, an AmSAT certified Alexander Technique teacher, a business transformation leader, a road cycler and a student of Pilates and QiGong.
Full bio
After years of searching for answers to unexplainable health challenges limiting her ability to do the most basic things like opening a jar not to mention all the things she’s most passionate about. It was through injuries and pain she developed a program built on a foundation that integrates her expertise into simple concepts for us to move with less effort doing the things that give us the greatest joy.
Our online booking system will feature more teachers soon! You can also find additional teachers by checking out our faculty and affiliated teacher bios!
RIAT has a colorful array of skilled teachers with varying levels of experience (some with 40+ years of teaching). All our teachers have strong connections to the fundamental practices and principles of the Technique. Each teacher has additional experience in complementary and/or supportive practices that both enrich their work with the Alexander Technique, and place it within a contemporary context.
Contact them directly, or we can connect you.
We are committed to fostering an inclusive environment for a thriving community. RIAT’s Community Outreach Program (AT For All) provides the opportunity for underserved communities to experience the Technique. Learn more.
