Music for People’s Musicianship and Leadership Program (MLP) offers advanced training in improvisational musicianship, performance and group facilitation. This three level program focuses on various aspects of musical development with attention given to each participant’s goals and aspirations.
Each year/level of training is divided into three modules. Each module includes monthly online Zoom meetings and the opportunity to attend in-person events offered by the regional programs in Montréal and Syracuse as well as Music for People’s weekends and events.
Features of the Program
- Development of Deep Listening, Mindfulness & Creativity
- Systematic Method of Social Music Improvisation
- Personalized Training with Expert Mentors
- Monthly Online Mentoring Calls in Addition to
In-person Workshops - Spontaneous Composition & Homeplay Assignments
- Music, Movement & Creative Play Creating Numinous Experiences
- Access to a Global Community of Music Improvisers
- Certificate Earned upon Completion of Each Level
Key Benefits
For Musicians
- Develops ear-based music making
- Teaches improvisation techniques
- Enhances performance skills
- Reduces performance anxiety
For Teachers
- Teaches innovation and creativity
- Encourages self-expression
- Promotes pattern recognition
- Boosts brain function and connectivity
For Therapists and Wellness Practioners
- Enhances communication
- Develops mindfulness
- Helps reduce self-criticism and judgment
- Reinforces listening
Click to Learn About Each Level
In the Improviser Level, learn about Music for People’s philosophy and techniques while attending online and in person workshops and completing the homeplay and facilitation assignments for this level.
Use these techniques along with your own practices to go deeper into your personal musical process. It is a year for working on your own musicianship, starting to develop your leadership style and getting acquainted with, and integrated into, the MfP community.
We expect that someone who completes this level will be able to provide a basic level of musicianship, improvisation, performance and facilitation of groups of improvisors. This would include “homeplay” recordings, informal improvised performances and community music-making experiences.
Improviser Requirements:- Attend the mentoring sessions for your program.
- The MLP Worldwide program provides online mentoring sessions once a month.
- Regional programs provide a mix of in person and online sessions.
- Demonstrate basic proficiency in utilizing MfP activities and structures in your playing.
- Demonstrate proficiency in leading basic MfP activities for small groups, informal gatherings and/or with private students.
- Deliver one informal MfP gathering and/or performance.
- Complete the Homeplay activities and video submission for each module. Each module in the program includes a Homeplay session with small-group or one-on-one mentoring with MfP grads to provide support and feedback on homeplays:
- Module 1: Core MfP Skills
- Module 2: Rhythmic Explorations
- Module 3: Forms and Harmonic Explorations
- Attend two in person MLP training workshops offered throughout the year OR attend in person the Art of Improvisation workshop held during the summer.
Program Faciliators
Program Director
Musicianship Program
Regional MLP Trainer-Montréal
Regional MLP Trainer-Syracuse
What Our Graduates Say
- Stuart Fuchs
Performer Touring with Babik and Snatam Kaur
Website: stufuchs.com
- Thomasina Levy
Hearts of Space Recording Artist
Website: thomasinalevy.com
- Clint Goss, Ph.D.
Author: The Native Flute Handbook
Websites: Flutopedia.com, FluteCast.com, NativeFluteHandbook.com
- Irene Feher, D.Mus.
Founder: Living Your Music
Website: livingyourmusic.com
- Neil Tatar
Imaginary Road Studios Recording Artist
Website: neiltatar.com