Music for People is dedicated to re-vitalizing your music-making and promoting music as a means of self-expression. We offer music improvisation workshops throughout the year, as well as a four-year program called the Musicianship and Leadership Program (MLP) of which there are 83 graduates (Certified Facilitators).

Founded by cellist David Darling and flautist Bonnie Insull in 1986, Music for People is a not for profit organization that seeks to promote a humanistic approach to the way music is taught, performed, and appreciated. Its philosophy is embodied in a musical Bill of Musical Rights that profoundly respects the creative impulse in everyone. Music for People was founded to fulfill a key missing element in the training of many skilled music students, and especially to call back to music those former students who were lost along the way, when the form of their music schooling became too filled with criticism and harshly communicated judgement. Music for People also strives to act as a catalyst in gathering people together to play and sing by creating safe environments in which they can explore music improvisation.

photo by Julie Weber

Our improvisation workshops are open to everyone — no matter what your musical background and experience. For the workshop schedule, see the Calendar page.

The activities we teach and our inclusive teaching philosophy are described in our book, Return to Child: Music for People's Guide to Improvising Music and Authentic Group Leadership. There is now new writing for the Musicianship and Leadership Program!
“Ten Questions” is a 28-page booklet the contains an integrated way of looking at the Return to Child techniques. It includes information on how to practice them, how to lead them, and what use the techniques are in forwarding one’s musicianship in the area of improvisation.

Music for People publishes a newsletter Connections twice a year for its members, helping them stay in touch with each other. Connections shares members' activities; the Calendar includes notices about workshops and gatherings; and the feature articles on music and improvisation offer inspiring tales of newfound musical delights, and more. Annual dues entitle MfP members to a year subscription to Connections as well as discounted tuition to all MfP workshops.

Music for People has benefited from the support of many generous contributors since its beginning. Continued financial support is critical to sustain the growth of both the organization and its work: the workshops, teacher certification program, and expanded member services. MfP is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, and contributions are tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law.

If you want to make improvisational music, we invite you to browse around this site and join us for a workshop.