Join us at this remarkable Holistic Study Center in the beautiful Hudson River Valley!
Together with my wonderful colleague Mary Knysh, I will be teaching at the Omega Institute, September 13-18.
Entitled Music for Everyone, the course is about using improvisation for self-expression, communication, mindfulness, and building community.
The Omega Institute
Omega Institute is the nation’s leading center for holistic studies. As a nonprofit organization, Omega offers diverse and innovative educational experiences that inspire an integrated approach to personal and social change. Located on 250 acres in New York’s beautiful Hudson Valley, and listed in 1,000 Places to See in the USA & Canada Before You Die, Omega is considered a premier travel destination for workshops, conferences, retreats and professional training. Omega’s renowned faculty and presenters have included Maya Angelou, Thích Nhất Hạnh, Jane Goodall, Pema Chödrön, Bobby McFerrin, Eckhart Tolle, Gloria Steinem, Phil Jackson, and many other creative, talented teachers and thought leaders. Annually, more than 15,000 people attend Omega’s 300+ programs in-person, and the organization reaches approximately 2 million people online.
Music for People
Founded in 1986 by cellist David Darling and flautist Bonnie Insull, Music for People fosters a humanistic approach to music, encouraging improvisation and self-expression. For over 35 years we have been helping people return to their natural childlike curiosity about music, promoting music improvisation as a means of self-expression. Through regional workshops, summer intensives, and its Musicianship and Leadership training program, Music for People has certified over 150 facilitators in the US and Switzerland, bringing inclusive music-making to schools, concerts, healthcare, and workplaces. www.musicforpeople.org
Music for Everyone ~ The Joy of Improvisation
Join David Rudge and Mary Knysh, lead teachers of Music for People worldwide, for a five-day experiential journey in musical spontaneity and self-expression. Inspired by David Darling and continuing the Omega tradition of “Music for Everyone,” this workshop embraces the belief that every person is inherently musical and can “return to child” to rediscover the joy of moment-to-moment music making.
Guided by this philosophy, participants are invited to explore the transformative power of improvisation as a path to mindfulness, presence, and genuine connection. Authentic presence is cultivated through deep listening, while fearlessness emerges in a safe, supportive environment. Participants engage in heartfelt soloing, group drumming, chanting, singing, rhythmic grooving, and playful experimentation—all as expressions of spontaneous, soulful, and joyous musicianship. Music from Bach to hip-hop and global traditions is honored as we experience sound as a means of self-expression, and as a mirror to our humanity.
In addition, participants will have the opportunity to explore facilitation strategies and tools from the Music for PeopleMusicianship and Leadership Program, gaining practical insights for guiding improvisational experiences with groups of all levels—from friends and family to members of your community.
This immersive process bypasses the critical mind, inviting participants to step into the unknown and experience “no wrong notes.” The holistic approach nurtures the body, uplifts the spirit, and enriches the heart. Designed for everyone—beginners, professional musicians, and anyone seeking a deeper connection to music, creativity, and community—this workshop provides a safe and inspiring space to explore the joy of free improvisation.
Instruments provided or bring your own.
No prior musical or improvisation experience necessary.
Program Features
Social Music Improvisation: Learn tools to foster trust, communication, and joyful group interaction through sound.
Mindfulness & Creativity Development: Exercises in breath, voice, and movement cultivate presence, focus, and adaptability.
Experiential Explorations: Daily improvisation explorations designed to cultivate deep listening, self-expression, and collaborative creativity.
Facilitator Training Components: Participants explore foundational methods from Music for People’s Musicianship and Leadership (MLP) Program, gaining strategies for guiding music-making with friends, family, and community.
Interactive Mid-Week Performance: Participants co-create a shared musical experience, highlighting discoveries in rhythm, improvisation, and group cohesion.