Shamsi Davis (†2010), UK Iranian-born teacher of the Alexander Technique.
Shamsi Davis (Lady Colin Davis) was born Ashraf Naini, in Iran. She came to England in the early 1960s and in 1962 became an au pair in the household of the conductor Colin Davis (later Sir Colin, 1927–2013). They married in 1964, and had five children, several of whom became musicians.[1] [2]
Shamsi was introduced to the Alexander Technique by Sir Colin and trained in the Alexander Technique with Misha Magidov, qualifying in 1993.
She started teaching at the Royal Academy of Music in 1993, but refused to take any payment; instead donating money to the RAM Alexander Technique fund from her own teaching. (Sir Colin also donated money for his performances at the Academy over the years.) She was offered various honours and degrees in recognition of her support for the Alexander Technique, but always refused. The RAM website states: ‘Alexander Technique at the Academy is partly financed by a fund established by Lady Colin Davis (Shamsi Davis – one of the Academy's teachers until her death in 2010) and the late Sir Colin Davis, and therefore we offer individual lessons to our students free of charge.’[3]
She was a member of STAT until 2007.
Shamsi Davis (Lady Colin Davis) †4th June 2010.
