Suzanne Giasson, from Montréal, is one of a very few who have completed both the Musicianship AND Leadership programs of Music for People. This takes commitment and a lot of deep work. Now that she has completed both programs, what’s next for her?
I want to continue walking in the music, improvising, and bringing the community together through workshops, retreats, and creative spaces where people can explore their musical skills and their humanity.
Like many people Suzanne was looking for a space where music was about connection, presence and authenticity. And like many, she found MfP through a friend who connected her at a time when she was looking for a pathway back to why she loved playing piano in the first place.
We asked her about her experience, why she did both programs, and how this process has lived in her.
What brought you to Music for People??
I was looking for a space where music wasn’t about performance or perfection, but about truth, presence, and connection. I found Music for People thanks to Josée Allard at a moment when I wanted to come back to the essence of why I play music: to feel something real, connected to my soul.
Why did you join the MLP??
I joined the MLP because I was curious to learn about David Darling’s tools that Josée told me about, I wanted to know more. Also, I wanted to share these tools with others through different activities of improvisation, in a way that is grounded, respectful, and empowering.
What did you hope it would bring you??
I hoped it would bring me more confidence, more joy to play without pressure of performing, both as a musician and as a human being. I wanted to learn how to trust myself more fully and support others in doing the same.
How has MfP supported your creative expression and your life??
MfP has helped me reconnect with my intuitive and authentic form of expression. It’s supported my creativity by reminding me that my uniqueness is not something to fix, but something to offer. In my life, I feel more presence, compassion, and courage.
What has transformed in and for you through this process??
I’ve become more grounded by my own roots and at the same time more free. I listen differently to music, to people, to myself. I trust the process more than the results, even when I don’t know where it’s leading me.
You’re one of very few who have done both the Leadership AND the Musicianship Programs. Why did you choose to do both?
To be honest, I did both because I wanted to stay engaged in the process of learning and exploring the different tools that help me play music more freely. The Leadership Program was the natural first step, it allowed me to transform my personal musical journey into something I could offer to others with integrity and clarity.The Musicianship Program reconnected me with my creative core. Once that was alive again, I feel now a strong call to share all that.
What has the MLP training experience been like for you??
Challenging but very nourishing and deeply human. It challenged me in a good way. I learned to stay present in uncertainty, to lead without controlling, and to trust both silence and sound.
What are some highlight experiences??
- Facilitating my first group improvisation with apprehension and finally having just pure joy of doing it.
- Witnessing someone finding this joy of improvisation for the first time.
- Being kindly supported by the community during moments of doubt.
- And those magical musical moments where everything aligns and you feel purely alive.
What’s next??
I want to continue walking in the music, improvising, and bringing the community together through workshops, retreats, and creative spaces where people can explore their musical skills and their humanity.
How have the faculty, other MfPers, etc supported you??
Through presence, listening, and example. I felt respected and encouraged. Their support wasn’t about correcting me but about trusting me. That changed everything.
Improvisation is…?
… listening in action. It’s saying yes to the moment. It’s courage, play, risk, and tenderness all at once.
Music for People…?
…is a home for authentic expression. It’s a community that reminds me that music is not something we do but something we are.