Jam Lab

What is the Jam Lab?

The Jam Lab is a weekly group lesson where we’ll explore creativity and social connection through musical improvisation. Each group session will feature diverse improv games and facilitated exercises aimed at inviting collaborative musical creativity through specific, contained forms. Practices will include deep listening exercises, sound baths, discussion about fostering creativity, as well as freely improvised jams, where inclusive free play attitudes of “yes and” and “anything could be music” are the guiding principles. Those wishing to learn how to expand their creative expression while also connecting with others through music are sure to enjoy Cadenza Music’s Jam Lab. Musicians of all skill levels and backgrounds 10 years old and up are invited to join.

Dates and Times:

Sundays from 1:00pm - 2:00pm

10 weeks

September 14th - November 23rd (no class on October 19th)

$250 / semester course ($25 / lesson)

Principles we’ll explore:

· Low-pressure, easy ways to connect with others through sound and music, regardless of background and skill level

· The values of musical expression and experimentation, as opposed to technical mastery

· Exploring the permeable boundaries between music, sound, noise, and silence

· Listening deeply to the present moment, both externally and internally

· Connecting with our bodies, emotions, and intuition through music

· Trust, acceptance, and encouragement of other people’s creative ideas

Meet the instructor

Ross Hackenmiller – Ross Hackenmiller is a musician and music facilitator from St. Paul, MN. He studied music and religion at Hamline University, where he conducted an honors project studying human interaction and psychology through improvisational musical experiences. Since graduating in 2011, he has organized participatory music-making events in public places, performed in indie rock bands, worked as a church musician, taught guitar lessons, and continued studying musical improvisation techniques. Ross has facilitated public musicmaking at multiple events and locations, including St. Paul Saints baseball games, the Minnesota State Fair, Northern Spark Art Festival, Northern Lights.mn Play Day, Grand Old Day, Minneapolis Open Streets, Piazza on the Mall on Nicollet Ave, and the Luminary Loppet winter festival. His passion is exploring the intersections between music, creativity, neurology, and spirituality and finding ways to inspire creativity in others through interactive art and music events.