Improvisation is an integral part of learning to play any instrument. It stimulates tactile agility on the instrument, exploration, application of theoretical knowledge, creativity, confidence in ones performing ability, adaptability, sense of ensemble, listening skills, compositional structure and a host of many additional facets important to any musician.

While all our teachers integrate improvisation into their lesson scheme, students have the option of concentrated study in improvisation on the piano. These lessons are not founded upon any single genre of music, but rather give the student the tools necessary to apply improvisation to any style they wish. With a compositional orientation, students work on developing skills and strategies required to achieve spontaneous solo and ensemble music creation. Such skills may interest composers as well as those interested in collaborative and interdisciplinary work with film, theater, dance and multimedia.

Musicians with a classical background are also very much welcome to study improv. Unfortunately the study of improvisation within the classical music framework is seldom included and far too little emphasized within current syllabi and curriculum. We should not forget that many of the great composers such as JS Bach, Mozart, Beethoven, Chopin and Liszt were all highly skilled improvisers. For those musicians who are studying at the intermediate and advanced levels, improvisation is an important aide in furthering their technical ability and developing artistic expression. Many musicians attribute improvisation towards increasing their skill and confidence in performing their learned repertoire pieces.

Several teachers of this studio are skilled improvisers and are regularly involved in improv performances and collaborations across the GTA. Feel free to contact us about any projects you may have that require improvised music. Film producers take note - improv makes excellent flexible film score material. Head over to the Listen section of the site, where you can hear recordings of our live and studio improvisations.