Inspiration from the MusicWorks Network Institute

Inspiration, commitment, and full hearts abound!

In late August, participants wrapped up CMW’s fifth annual summer MusicWorks Network Institute by gifting each other heartfelt wishes. Fifty people, including staff members and students from CMW and our peer network organizations, gathered on zoom for workshops, discussions, and sharing around the theme of anti-racist practice.

Poet and Social Justice Facilitator Ama Codjoe (photo, left) provided framing for the three days of the Institute, which featured a keynote presentation with violinist and educator Dr. Chelsey Green (photo, right) from Berklee College of Music speaking about her experiences in music and her thoughts about the centrality of improvisation to musicians’ learning.

Participants also engaged in powerful and engaging sessions by a range of presenters:

Dancer and educator Sokeo Ros explored various approaches to addressing the four forms of trauma experienced by historically marginalized and excluded communities;

Cellist, actor, lawyer, business advisor, and thought leader David Blasher led a participant-engaged session to practice listening for when we are lost and found, as students and educators, using personal story as a gateway to common bonds;

Marji Gere and Dan Sedgwick, Co-Founders and Directors of Around Hear, a free chamber music series and music education project, envisioned the way in which performance, teaching, and community-building can happen in joyous symbiosis;

CMW’s Director of Racial Equity and Belonging, Ashley Frith and artist and educator MJ Robinson facilitated affinity groups.

A concurrent Youth Institute was offered alongside this Institute, with students participating in Wednesday’s keynote and various other Institute workshops, while engaging in sessions tailored specifically for them.

Learn more about the MusicWorks Network Summer Institute here.