Vienna: June 24-28, 2024
SUMMER 2024: Creativity at the Piano - A week-long course in Vienna, Austria!
Are you interested in exploring different musical styles, learning how to improvise and even composing your own music?
Then this is the opportunity for you! Join us for a week-long exploration of creativity at the piano in the vibrant music city of Vienna!
Mark your calendars for June 24-30, 2024 - the musical experience of a lifetime!
AGE: The intended ages for the course are 12 to 18. If you think your younger child has a strong interest in the content and would benefit from the course, please feel free to contact us to discuss. (Students under 18 must be accompanied by a parent or caregiver.) Similarly, the course is centered around performance at the piano, but students with other focus areas - for example, singing, song-writing, other instruments - are welcome to join the course. If you'd like to schedule a consultation with the course director, Kathryn Woodard, please feel free to select a time via this link. You can fill out the form below to express interest in the course and to receive more information.
COURSE OUTLINE: Students will choose topics to focus on, working with several teachers during the week. Students will also attend special presentations and have the opportunity to perform in master classes and recitals. All sessions will be held at MusikQuartier Wien (main location at 1060 in Mariahilf). View the Workshop descriptions here. Students will be able to choose multiple sessions to attend.
EXTRACURRICULARS: Guided walking tours and excursions are also planned to make the most out of your stay in Vienna!
OUR FACULTY:
Josh Jenkins is a rising star at the piano and considers improvisation to be his "bread and butter." He will teach sessions on several topics related to jazz improvisation and work with students individually.
Anastasia Kaminskagia is an outstanding pedagogue who recently launched her original series Piano Comics, melding storytelling with colorful characters and piano techniques. She has extensive experience teaching piano in groups and will offer group workshops in Vienna with several students playing at one keyboard to build ensemble skills, improve rhythm and spark creativity. Born in Ukraine she currently teaches piano at schools in Athens, Greece and received her Bachelor and Master degrees in piano performance from the National Music Academy in Sofia, Bulgaria.
Lisa Neher (she/her, “NEER”) is an award-winning composer and new music mezzo-soprano on a mission to transform audiences through sound, story, and vulnerability. Described as a “visionary composer” (Willamette Week) and a “maestro of beautifully wacky noises” (Oregon ArtsWatch), her compositions are inspired by the climate crisis, the tender love of family and friends, and the eerie mystery of deep ocean life. Lisa has over 15 years of experience as a music educator and teaches composition in individual lessons and workshops for students and teachers across the United States. She is a sought-after adjudicator of student composition competitions. Her own catalog includes many works for student pianists and singers. She holds a Doctor of Musical Arts in Voice Performance and Pedagogy from the University of Iowa, a Master of Music Composition from the University of Kansas, and Bachelor of Arts degrees in Music and Theatre from Lewis & Clark College. For more information, visit www.lisanehermusic.com.
Kathryn Woodard is a pianist, composer and the course director. She specializes in encouraging students to find their own creative voice at the piano through improvisation. She will lead a series of sessions that enhance students' perception of movement and rhythm. These will also apply equally to encouraging creativity at the piano as well as to enhancing students' performing skills. Kathryn has performed with such noted musicians as the Shanghai Quartet and Brooklyn Rider and has collaborated with numerous composers, including Paula Matthusen and Allen Otte. She founded Sonic Crossroads in 2007 to broaden awareness of global styles of piano music and has taught piano for over 30 years. She holds the Doctor of Musical Arts and Master of Music degrees in piano performance from the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music and an undergraduate degree in music pedagogy from the University of Music and Performing Arts in Munich, Germany.
COST:
The course fee for each student is €1000. The course fee can be paid in installments, for example, €125 every month from October through May. Payments can also be made in US dollars. If for any reason you decide to cancel, refunds will be processed as follows: in full before February 1; minus a €200 deposit before April 1; after April 1 no refund is possible. If a student is unable to attend for unforeseen circumstances, we will work with you to transfer enrollment costs to a future course. Payment can be processed through this page, or by PayPal invoice or bank transfer.
After filling out the form below, Kathryn Woodard will contact you for a consultation to determine the level of the student and which topic choices are of interest. She can also discuss scholarship and financial aid options. Enrollment for the week will be capped at 20 students, so reserve your spot today!
Parents and caregivers can attend all public components of the course for free. Students and their families are expected to arrange travel and accommodations themselves. Direct flights from the US to Vienna International Airport (VIE) arrive daily. The course takes place in the Mariahilf & Neubau districts of the city, a central location that will be popular in the summer months with high demand for hotel rooms. Below are links to hotels in the direct vicinity of Musikquartier 1060:
Of course you can book any accommodation you like and plan to arrive at Musikquartier 1060 by 9:00 am. Public transportation is easy and affordable in Vienna and particularly important as our location is in the middle of a pedestrian zone not readily accessible by car.
Please fill out the form below if you are interested. You will be contacted by the course director with more information.