Juilliard Music Improv Lab for Adults

About the Workshop

Do you want to add improvisation to your musical practice? It can feel daunting at first, but this lab offers clear tools and guided approaches to help you build confidence.

This single-day intensive is open to all instrumentalists, vocalists, and composers who want to sharpen their skills in group, duo, and solo improvisation to develop and enhance their musicianship. Emphasis is placed on exchanging musical ideas in real time to develop listening and spontaneous musical dialogue.

Through in-class playing time and hands-on explorations of musical elements, students develop increased proficiency listening to, imitating, and utilizing various modes of creativity. The class will discover different styles of classical music improv from Baroque ground basses, dance forms, classical repertoire/forms, world folk music, to contemporary free improvisation. Co-created by Juilliard faculty Yi-heng Yang, internationally leading improv specialist, and special guest Hsing-ay Hsu, Steinway Artist and creator of the Conscious Listening method, this class will draw on listening skills, whole-brain activities, and historical improv practice.

Biography: Yi-heng Yang

Biography: Hsing-ay Hsu

Sample Schedule

10–10:10am Arrival and Meet and Greet

10:10–11:10am: Using Core Musical Elements

11:15am–12:15pm: Freeform Emotions

12:15–12:45pm: Lunch Break

12:45–1:45pm Baroque Loops and Dances

1:50–2:50 pm World Folk Music

2:50–3pm Reflection and final wrap-ups

Students are responsible for bringing their own instruments. There will be a piano available for use.

One Section Available | 1 Class Session | Extension Holiday Schedule

Saturday, June 13

10am–3pm ET, with a half-hour lunch break

In Person Only

$150

This is an open-registration course that does not require an application. Simply visit the registration page to enroll.

Register by Phone: (212) 799-5000 ext. 273

Our phone line is open Monday–Friday (excluding holidays), 9:00 am–5:00 pm ET.