Classical Improvisation Workshop

The Anderson University School of Music in Anderson, Ind., will offer a Classical Improvisation Workshop May 29-31, 2012, with Ann Baltz, Founder and Artistic Director of OperaWorks, offers profound musical and personal experiences.  Teachers, opera directors and coach/accompanists in the 2011 Workshop all described their experiences in superlatives – “amazing,” “intense,” “eye-opening,” “life-affirming,” “exceptionally useful,” “innovative,” and “fun.”  The step-by-step classes  “presented in very learnable ways stimulates creativity enormously.”  This workshop “models great life skills/principles as well as opera-performance skills/principles.”   “Ann is inspiring, hugely skilled and talented.  The ‘what’ and the ‘how’ of her work is a powerful gift.” “She is off the charts!”

CLASSICAL IMPROVISATION? ...

• What is it?
  Spontaneously creating richly textured music on the spot without any printed music in the room, alone, with a pianist, or in ensemble with other singers; accessing the right brain; and tapping into one’s innate and intuitive musicality and creativity.
  
  See photos from Ann Baltz's visit to campus in April 2011.

• Who needs it?
  Anyone who works with singers — voice teachers, coaches/accompanists, lyric theatre directors, masterclass clinicians.

• How can it help me?
  This essential teaching tool can help you help your students break free of the straightjacket which we “re-creative artists” often make for ourselves, releasing that blocked creative urge and unleashing the joy, beauty, and transformative power of the truly free creative spirit.

This intense 3-day workshop will introduce voice teachers, coaches/accompanists, and lyric theatre directors to the techniques of Classical improvisation, and offer classes in practical ways to incorporate those techniques into voice lessons, studio class settings, coachings, and lyric theatre workshops and rehearsals.

Workshop presenters will include:

Ann Baltz OperaWorks Los Angeles, Ca. Read Ann's Bio

Laurel Goetzinger Anderson University Anderson, Ind. Read Laurel's Bio

Shauna Steele Anderson University Anderson, Ind. Read Shauna's Bio

See schedule of classes and activities

Register online!

Cost is $395 (which includes $50 non-refundable application fee).

On-campus housing is available with check-in Monday evening May 28, check-out Thursday, May 31. (Two-bedroom/two-bathroom apartment, two people per apartment — $120 per person.)

Space is limited, so be sure to register early. Participants will receive a packet of information prior to the event, with housing information, class schedule, maps, and directions to Anderson University.

For more information, send e-mail to Beth Doub or call (800) 619-3047.