The Musicianship and Leadership Program is a three year program that places equal emphasis on musicianship development in improvisation and workshop facilitation in small and large educational or therapeutic groups.

The first year of the program teaches comfort and confidence in improvisational music in solo and group settings, within an increasing variety of musical styles from around the world and throughout history. All styles are welcomed. People from the Classical music tradition have found this program especially useful in making the connection between deep personal feeling and its expression in music. Yet since the form of music making we teach is exclusively improvisational, no prior formal musical training is necessary to begin the program. Some of our most successful candidates do not read and write music fluently, while others have extensive formal schooling.

After the candidates establish a base of improvisational techniques and competencies on voice, drums, piano, and any instrument of their choosing, they begin classes designed to shape their own unique style of leading workshops and integrating this work into their professional field. The Music for People philosophy is fundamentally humanistic, that all people are inherently musical. Candidates within the program are trained in how to emphasize strengths in the people they coach, and give truthful, accurate feedback in supportive language.

The MLP is for people wanting an in-depth IMPROVISATION experience, and provides opportunites to develop:

  • Workshop leadership skills!
  • Instrumental & vocal improvisation!
  • Digital recording!
  • Therapeutic music improvisation!
  • Advanced improvisation techniques!
  • CMTE Credits available!
  • Take the 3 level, modular certification course

When the program requirements have been met at each level, candidates become Certified Music for People teachers, and are eligible for work referrals. The three year program consists of three workshops per year, of which one is a full week and two are extended weekends. Due to the intensive and personal nature of the feedback given at each level of the program, MLP candidates are required to attend all workshops in the series each year.

Who is Musicianship and Leadership for:

  • Musicians who want to go into depth with the development of their improvisation skills
  • Music educators and facilitators at all levels
  • Kindergarden and school teachers
  • Ergo and aktivierungs therapists
  • Music, art, and movement therapists
  • Future Music for People workshop leaders

Read about the training contents at the MFP Europe Website! (available in German, English and Spanish)

Find out more about the Faculty and Staff for Europe Workshops.