Wytske van der Meulen is a recognized teacher of the Society of the Alexander Technique (STAT), the Netherlands society (Nevlat) and the South African society of the Alexander Technique. (Sastat)
Wytske was born in the Netherlands in 1954, but spent most of her youth in South Africa when her parents decided to emigrate in the 1960’s. Her interests have always been in art and teaching. Wytske studied art in Belgium at the ‘Konijklijke Academie voor Beeldende Kunsten’, in Antwerp and and completed her BA fine arts degree in 1986 at the University of Cape Town. Prior to this, she completed her General and Higher teacher’s diplomas, at UCT and enjoyed being an Art teacher in Cape Town for over 25 years.
From 1990- 2009, Wytske taught art at the Frank Joubert Art Centre, Newlands, Cape Town, specialising in Ceramics, Child art and Adult education.
She helped to initiate the Ibhabhathane (butterfly) Project since 1998, helping learners from previously disadvantaged schools to experience lessons in visual art and to visit exhibitions at museums and galleries in Cape Town, linking these up with innovative practical workshops.
She has been acknowledged for her work by being awarded the Regional Teachers Award, ‘Excellence in Primary School Leadership’, in 2007 by the Western Cape of Education.
Wytske also exhibits her own work at galleries in Cape Town, Johannesburg and Amsterdam, selling paper printed kites, small bronze and ceramic works.
She was first introduced to the Alexander Technique in 1982 when she received lessons from Yvonne Becker in Cape Town. The Technique improved her posture, her general coordination and well being. In 1998 the Alexander Technique helped her to rehabilitate, after a major fall, fracturing bones in both her leg and her hand.
Wytske trained as an Alexander teacher with Paul Versteeg and Tessa Marwick in Amsterdam from 2009 -2012.
She has an Alexander Studio in Newlands, and at her house in Imhoff’s Gift, Kommetjie, Cape Town.
