Sonic Crossroads

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! 

 June 24-28, 2024 is a wrap!

August 5-9, 2024. Register before July 15!

Please submit the interest form below and the course director will contact you. We look forward to welcoming you!

STUDENT AGE: The intended age for students is 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.

FOR TEACHERS: Experienced teachers and those just starting out are encouraged to participate to gain a fresh perspective on teaching! Visit our professional development page here.

COURSE OUTLINE: Students will be able to 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. The course is also designed to be a low-key, relaxed and non-competitive environment, allowing students to explore new ways of working at the piano. Please visit Vienna 2025 for our newly updated schedule and more course information! 

Each student will receive a synopsis and outline of what was worked on in sessions with recommendations for further study and exploration. Sample from June 2024 course:

SITES IN VIENNA: Visits to iconic sites in the city such as St. Stephen's Cathedral, Schönbrunn Palace, the Albertina Museum will be organized on the weekends of your selected course. Smaller sites including the Haydnhaus, Mozarthaus, and Beethoven Museum may be arranged during course days. Based on the course weeks you choose, we will also suggest evening performances to attend. Visit the Excursions page to start planning!

Course Director 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 & LOGISTICS

The course fee for each student is €600. (This changes in 2025.) If for any reason you decide to cancel, refunds will be processed as follows: in full if cancelling two months or more before course start date; minus a €200 deposit if cancelling 30-60 days before course start date; if cancelling less than one month before the course start date, no refund is possible. For the August course registrations will be accepted through July 1. 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. We are happy to provide hotel suggestions at various price points. 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, and please feel free to inquire about full and partial scholarships.