I thought I had my horn playing posture honed to a T with my years of Pilates and Alexander Technique. That was until I met Amanda, who quickly helped me discover that standing and sitting at attention was a lot of extra work. She has some very simple exercises that helped me find a more active, balanced and elastic feeling in my playing.

A friend I hadn’t seen in some while heard an immediate difference in my playing: more resonance, easier flexibility, and the holy grail of horn playing, dependable response on initial attacks. That she’s a horn player herself and knows the challenge of holding 15 lbs of brass effortlessly aloft was an added benefit.

Chicago, IL

“Several years ago I had a pain in my right arm. My trainer, Mary, told me about Amanda Farasat, who did a type of massage called Aston Patterning. Mary felt that perhaps Amanda could figure out what was wrong with me.

This was the beginning of a new experience for me. Amanda looked at my entire body (clothes on) and saw things I had never seen. I was standing crooked. One side was higher than the other and as a result, one shoulder was higher than the other. Through her skills she knew how to work on my body to help straighten me out. For the first time I liked getting a massage! Before and after the massage Amanda stood me in front of a mirror and I could actually see what the problems were and the difference after the massage. She gave me little exercises to practice at home to help. Now I know how to correct my imbalances- and my arm doesn’t hurt!”

Baltimore, MD

“I found your clinic both relevant and informative as a pianist and teacher. The concepts of “finding your own neutral” and “GRF” (Ground Reaction Force) were particularly compelling as relates to piano playing. Your dynamic approach and expertise made the class incredibly thought-provoking and inspiring. I look forward to exploring the approach more fully in the future!”

Assistant Professor of Piano and Piano Pedagogy, University of Wisconsin-Madison

“The Aston-Patterning® approach proved to be an extremely insightful and exciting method for teaching posture, balance and relaxed motion. Ms. Skidmore’s teaching was direct and immediately applicable. She was able to focus the method toward young conducting students and performers. I highly recommend this approach for anyone facing physical challenges or interested in improving their physical technique in order to advance musicianship.”

Director of Wind Ensemble and Associate Professor of Music, University of Wisconsin

“Amanda Skidmore has made a most positive effect on so many of our music students here at the UW in Madison. The follow-up from her visit, her group sessions and her private sessions, has been remarkable. My horn students have initiated conversations on many aspects, have felt improvement already in their posture and balance, and seem to have greater access to the air they need to improve their sounds and endurance.

Even the faculty involved in organizing her sessions have talked to me about personal improvements. Amanda’s manner and message is extraordinarily positive and productive, providing great potential for further growth. People around here now know what Aston Patterning is about, and are requesting more sessions for even more information in the near future.”

Professor of Music-Horn, University of Wisconsin-Madison

“This approach to playing has given me new insight and great new direction to resonance.”

Professor of Horn, Northwestern University

“More people should know about this. Keep up the good work!”

“The ideas of “relaxing into Neutral” and coming into position from movement are really useful. I can really feel a difference – I’m more open inside.”

“Good ideas on posture improvements for arm movements.”

“Most useful is its direct relation to actual horn playing (in terms of tonguing, technical aspects/fingering, breathing, etc.).”