Beret Arcaya

Beret appeared in Equity summer theatres, signing a contract with Paramount Pictures in 1958, and appeared on live TV in leading roles in soap operas.

In 1968 Beret left acting to focus on singing. Using the method of Manuel Garcia (1804-1906) and the self-discovery and freedom she had experienced, she set out on the creative path to which she remains dedicated.  In 1971 she began to appear in concerts and orchestra tours in Europe.  In 1974 she won the first prize in the Puccini Foundation vocal competition and debuted at Lincoln Center. Also in the same year, she began to teach singing.

In January of 1975, Beret began private studies in Alexander Technique until 1978, when she joined the ACAT-New York teacher-training program under the auspices of Judith Liebowitz. She was certified in 1981. From 1981 until 1987, while continuing to sing and teach singing, she built a large teaching practice. She was a founding member of the American Society for the Alexander Technique (AmSAT).

In 1988 she began giving master classes in Europe combining voice and the Alexander Technique. She has taught and performed in Switzerland, Germany, Spain, Austria, Italy and Venezuela. From 1992 until 1999 she gave an annual two-week intensive workshop in the Alexander Technique for musicians at the Salzburg Easter festival, under the auspices of the Kominsky Foundation. She taught Voice/Alexander in Madrid from 1988 to 2001. In 1996 after teaching for 16 years, she retrained with Walter and Dilys Carrington in London.  She completed another full 3-year training finishing at CTC in 2006. She would do it all over again if they were alive!

Beret is a member of STAT and AmSAT Societies for the Alexander Technique and was a founding member of APTAE, the Spanish Society of Teachers.  She has published a new translation of Manuel Garcia Jr’s The Complete Treatise on the Art of Singing Volumes 1 & 2, combining the principles of the Alexander Technique with Garcia’s treatise. This publication includes supplementary recordings, notes, and analysis, and is available exclusively as an online book at www.habitandchoice.com/e-book-garcia1-garcia2/.