EDUCATION
Holds a practitioner certificate (SEP) from the Somatic Experiencing Trauma Institute, 2012

Temenos Institute, Westport, Connecticut-Certificate in Psychotherapy, 1984

New York Medical College, Flower Fifth Avenue Hospital, NYC-certificate in Psychomotor Therapy, 1980

SUNY Binghamton, B.S. 1975

ADVANCED TRAINING
Bioenergetics, Alexander Technique, Feldenkrais, Pilates, Yoga, T’Chi, Kineseology, Acupressure, Muscle Work, Meditation and Breathing Techniques

AREAS OF SPECIALIZATION
Somatic Experiencing  Practitioner

Private Practice in physical rehabilitation and therapy-specialize in treating chronic pain patients, 1985-present

Body/Instrument Technique-Developed technique to work with injured and disembodied performers and musicians, 2003-present

Private work with survivors of sexual and physical abuse-1996-present

Design for Movement-founded company with Dr. Richard Bachrach, prominent osteopath. Designed rehabilitative exercises for injured executives. 1982-1985

Special Olympics-designed prospective Dance Competition-1979

Recipient of NYS Arts in the Schools grant-in conjunction with a poet and visual artist, visited various schools for learning disabled children and adults and collaboratively designed programs for them-1979

Charles Weidman Theater Dance Company-1976-1979

TEACHING EXPERIENCE

Marcia had the pleasure of giving a Master Class, with her colleague Frank Schiro, in Munich, Germany, for the cast of Die Fabelhafte Welt der Amelie Das Musical, June, 2019

Marcia was invited to give a Masterclass for students at Fay Simpson’s school, Lucid Body, August, 2017 Marcia had the pleasure of returning to Grad Acting, October, 2017

Marcia presented her work to the faculty of Tisch Grad Acting, March, 2017

Marcia co-organized and presented at the NYU Steinhardt symposium, “The Inner Life of the Performing Artist: Sensation, Imagination, and The Brain”, January, 2017

Adjunct Faculty at The Steinhardt School for the Performing Art Professions at New York University, 2012-present

Guest Lecturer at The Juilliard School Pre-College Division-2007-2011

Teach:seminars in Body/Instrument Technique for musicians-NYC-2006-present

Teach:Observe and instruct during private lessons of Catherine Cho at The Juilliard School-NYC-2006-2008

Teach:Seminars in Body/Instrument Technique-2008-present

Teach:Workshops for psychologists-Vermont, Westchester, NYC-special seminars to enable psychologists to understand energy flow, body language and breathing patterns of their patients-1998-present

Teach:classes for pregnant woman-NYC-breathing,alignment and body mechanics-1997-present

Taught-at Steps Studio-,NYC, small classes in alignment and movement for chronic pain patients-1986

Taught-office of Dr. Richard Bachrach, prominent osteopath specializing in lower back and neck pain, NYC. Created new methods of treating chronic pain, working in semi-private classes-1982-1985

Taught-Carola Trier Studio-Ms. Trier, who studied with Joseph Pilates in Germany, was the premier Pilates teacher in the country. Clients were injured NYC Ballet members, actors and athletes-1982-1983

PUBLICATIONS
(2018) Marcia collaborated with her colleague Fay Simpson, a professor at Tisch Grad Acting and author of Lucid Body, on an article entitled, “Rewiring Stage Fright, A Neuroscience and Art Conversation”

(2018) The Soul of the American Actor, soulamericanactor.com, volume 12, #1, Dramatic Circumstance: On Acting,Singing, and Living Inside the Stories We Tell:Teaching Through the Lens of Neuroscience. Co -written with Bill Wesbrooks

AST National Journal, Reaching The Inner Musician, November, 2011
Marcia Lesser, “Whole Body Consciousness and The Musician”, Association Newsletter, 11/09. www.astanj.com

(2007)Anderson, F, Bodies In Treatment, Analytic Press. Discussion of my work in chapter, ‘At a Loss for Words and Feelings:A Psychoanalyst Reflects on Experiencing Bodywork.’

(2000)Self-published pamphlet on techniques for recognizing and dealing with somatic distress in the psychoanalytic process

(1998)Aaron, L & Anderson, F, Relational Perspectives on the Body, Acknowledgement of my work by Dr. Looker and Dr. Anderson

(1993)Wyse, L, The Six Figure Woman and How To Be One, Holiday House.
Featured in this book highlighting prominent woman in their field of expertise

(1983)Good Housekeeping Magazine, contributed exercises and relaxation techniques for prevention and relief of lower back pain