Teacher Workshops & Professional Development
Online Improvisation Workshop
Facilitated by Josée Allard, Bacc Mus., Certified Music For People Practitioner
This workshop is intended to provide tools for music teachers that they can use in lessons to make improvisation accessible to all.
In this webinar, we will explore starting points by introducing simple techniques, and contexts, which can be used to integrate improvisation in all aspects of music teaching
and applied to all musical styles. These entry points include vocal warm ups, rhythmic exercises and games which deepen listening and develop collaboration skills. This innovative approach developed over the last 30 years by Grammy Award winning cellist and members of Music For People (www.musicforpeople.org) encourages individual
musical expression through improvisation by approaching the fundamental aspects of music in a mostly intuitive and accessible way. There is absolutely no need for previous
experience in improvisation for this workshop.
For more info, visit: www.creativemusic.ca
Members of the general public are welcome to attend for a fee of $30
Clinician
Josée Allard
Date
Friday, April 17, 2026
Time
9:30 - 11:00 am
The benefits of improvisation
Improvisation develops: Spontaneity and freedom ● Connection to the instrument ● The ear and listening skills ● Composer’s perspective ● Confidence ● Integration of musical elements ● Reduced performance anxiety ● Discovery of one’s own technical resources ● Physical and emotional relaxation ● Authentic performance ● A wide range of felt dynamics. All these benefits are applicable to traditional repertoire.
Josée received her Bachelor’s degree from the University of Montreal in 1993. She distinguished herself in various national competitions, including the MSO Competition, where she won a first prize in 1987. She then gave several concerts, among others at the Montreal International Piano Festival, the Lachine International Festival and the Piano Nobile at Place des Arts. In 1988, she performed the Concerto for Three Pianos by Mozart with the OSM alongside Alain Lefèvre and Charles Dutoit. In addition to her teaching practice of 30 years, she turned to improvisation, and in 2008, completed a four year training program in Leadership and Musicianship with Music for People. Since then, she has launched improvisation albums and piano compositions for students. She has led improvisation workshops in different institutions in Canada and she is currently hosting an online Piano Improvisation Program. Josée Allard is a member of the APMQMTA.
For more information, contact Michelle Gao, Workshop Convener