Music for People’s Art of Improvisation workshop is for musicians and vocalists experienced in any musical tradition – classical, jazz, theater, rock, ethnic, avant-garde, etc. All instruments are welcome – acoustic and electric, winds and strings, hand drums and percussion, and homemade innovations. In an energetic, humorous and open-minded environment, discover how to move beyond the limits of musical training while playing at the peak of your technical and expressive ability in your preferred musical style.
We are fundamentally about YOUR music, privately and publicly, and supporting YOU in your musical explorations through sessions where you experience improvisational music using activities, structures and tools designed to benefit you both personally and professionally. Prior experience in improvisation is not necessary, as this workshop is based on the concept that listening and imitation are the most fundamental musical skills. In this approach there are no “wrong notes.” Through a supportive humanistic approach, our intention is to promote authentic music making through creating music “in the moment” and playing through the heart.
The Art of Improvisation workshop is a combination of large group and small group sessions, with plenty of time for jamming with other workshop participants. Each day you have the choice of participating in one of four separate tracks:
- Leading Lab for developing and practicing group facilitation skills.
- Vocal Track for exploring vocal expression.
- Musicianship Track for deepening your musicianship for music improvisation.
- Foundations for an in depth exploration of the basic techniques.
This creative body of work adapts beautifully to those of you working in the areas of health and wellness, music therapy, education, and community building. Free Improvisation opens doors of creativity for both performers and teachers. This workshop will inspire teachers to take Improvisation, one of the National Educational Standards, into their classrooms as well as provide practical skills that can be adapted for many populations for music therapists.
Faculty
The Art of Improvisation workshop will be led by three members of Music for People’s faculty:
- Mary Knysh – World-wide trainer and presenter of improvisation and facilitation sessions, founder of Rhythmic Connections and author of several books on improvisation techniques will offer sessions in music improvisation and facilitation.
- Dr. David Rudge – Director of MfP’s Musicianship Program, violinist, conductor, and former college faculty member – will be providing his expertise in improvisation skills, improvising classical music and conducting improvisational music.
- Dr. Alina Plourde – Based in Madison, Wisconsin, Alina is a Teaching Artist with the Overture Center’s Lullaby Project, helping families create and record original songs for their babies, and also works as an Outreach Coordinator at the University of Wisconsin-Madison School of Music. A professional oboist who plays orchestral music, chamber music, and new music, she recently has branched out into Klezmer music. She is currently pursuing an additional degree in music therapy.
Joining the staff will be members and graduates from the Music for People training program to present in-depth explorations of MFP improvisation skills.