New Audiences and Innovative Practice (or NAIP) is a music masters program based in Europe. It is designed to meet the diverse learning demands of modern artists. The program hosts a two-week summer course every year that outside institutions also take part in (including the University of Minnesota).
The program is based on four modules: performance and communication, project management and entrepreneurship, action research, and leading and guiding. Each of these modules is presented as a separate class at the beginning of the course. After the first three or four days spent in intensive large-group workshops based on these modules, participants split off into self-selected smaller groups to create their own projects for the week. The picture above was taken during one of the projects I participated in, a concert entitled "Elemental" given at the Water Library in Stykkisholmur, Iceland.
What did I appreciate about my NAIP experience?
1.) I appreciate the type of person the NAIP program attracts
a. Everyone in the program exuded a kind and generous spirit while still maintaining directness and honesty pertaining to artistic integrity.
b. The program is benefited by participants from diverse artistic disciplines and diverse cultures.
2.) I appreciate the active nature of the workshop
a. I believe most people learn best by doing. Workshops at NAIP are formatted in a “do first, discuss and reflect after” format.
b. This method allows more room for experimentation and focuses on process rather than product. It puts less pressure on performers to be “perfect” but requires more in terms of a performers’ growth through the process.
c. It’s far more difficult to talk of this process than to experience it. Therefore, conscious efforts must be made to find collaborative, process oriented performance experiences to actually experience the benefits.
3.) I appreciate the actual experience of collaborating
a. Collaboration seems to be a buzz word in the arts world right now. I'm all for it. But it's really hard. Really. True collaboration takes practice. NAIP afforded us a glimpse into the process of real collaboration through group project performances.
b. What is true collaboration? It's not, "you do this and you do this and we'll put it together at the end;" it's "let's struggle with this TOGETHER and see what we can achieve TOGETHER." With the diversity of personalities and beliefs that exist in the arts, this concept really becomes difficult. Artists have to learn how to balance necessary and unnecessary assent/dissent during the process. What ideas benefit the group and what hold it back? This balance is a life-long process.
4.) I appreciate the participation of the faculty
a. Faculty did not lecture then sit back passively to watch; they participated fully in the creation of all projects and workshop performances. In this way, participants were able to learn side by side with faculty.
b. Faculty always let participants lead the projects in order that the participants learn through doing.
More information about the program can be found at http://musicmaster.eu/.
The program is based on four modules: performance and communication, project management and entrepreneurship, action research, and leading and guiding. Each of these modules is presented as a separate class at the beginning of the course. After the first three or four days spent in intensive large-group workshops based on these modules, participants split off into self-selected smaller groups to create their own projects for the week. The picture above was taken during one of the projects I participated in, a concert entitled "Elemental" given at the Water Library in Stykkisholmur, Iceland.
What did I appreciate about my NAIP experience?
1.) I appreciate the type of person the NAIP program attracts
a. Everyone in the program exuded a kind and generous spirit while still maintaining directness and honesty pertaining to artistic integrity.
b. The program is benefited by participants from diverse artistic disciplines and diverse cultures.
2.) I appreciate the active nature of the workshop
a. I believe most people learn best by doing. Workshops at NAIP are formatted in a “do first, discuss and reflect after” format.
b. This method allows more room for experimentation and focuses on process rather than product. It puts less pressure on performers to be “perfect” but requires more in terms of a performers’ growth through the process.
c. It’s far more difficult to talk of this process than to experience it. Therefore, conscious efforts must be made to find collaborative, process oriented performance experiences to actually experience the benefits.
3.) I appreciate the actual experience of collaborating
a. Collaboration seems to be a buzz word in the arts world right now. I'm all for it. But it's really hard. Really. True collaboration takes practice. NAIP afforded us a glimpse into the process of real collaboration through group project performances.
b. What is true collaboration? It's not, "you do this and you do this and we'll put it together at the end;" it's "let's struggle with this TOGETHER and see what we can achieve TOGETHER." With the diversity of personalities and beliefs that exist in the arts, this concept really becomes difficult. Artists have to learn how to balance necessary and unnecessary assent/dissent during the process. What ideas benefit the group and what hold it back? This balance is a life-long process.
4.) I appreciate the participation of the faculty
a. Faculty did not lecture then sit back passively to watch; they participated fully in the creation of all projects and workshop performances. In this way, participants were able to learn side by side with faculty.
b. Faculty always let participants lead the projects in order that the participants learn through doing.
More information about the program can be found at http://musicmaster.eu/.