Workshops

Improvisation Workshops

Flashpoint presents vocal improvisation workshops for a wide array of groups, from civic organizations to at-risk youth with financial and resource limitations. Using vocal improvisation and drum sounds in an informal workshop setting, participants learn how to improvise regardless of age or musical experience, first as a group and then as individuals. The emphasis is not on “singing” as such, but on using sound and rhythm to create interaction and musical conversation.  

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The North Central College Junior/Senior Scholars Program

Naperville, IL 2018

A component of the Inner City Educational Initiative, runs a summer-long program for over 200 low-income minority youth from North Lawndale and East Aurora.

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The S.T.E.A.M ./College Connections Camp for Kids

Naperville, IL 2018

Sponsored by the DuPage NAACP Education Committee, with 75 students in grades 4-6 from DuPage and Kane Counties in a weeklong educational and mentoring program focusing on science, technology, mathematics and the arts.  

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Emporia Granada Theatre

Emporia, KS 2019

All-day event: seven consecutive workshops with special education students from the Emporia Public Schools and adult patrons from Hetlinger Developmental Services and Stepping Stones Unlimited.  

Here’s what they had to say…

 
Testimonials

“Watching Jack and Janice work with special needs children in Emporia, Kansas was truly inspiring. What a great experience for them, and the looks on their faces and reactions to the music proved this event to be a huge success.”

  • Lindy Whetzel, President, National Teachers Hall of Fame Board of Directors

“What a wonderful opportunity Flashpoint provided our 6-18 year old scholars during their summer activity camp! The students had an opportunity to experiment with vocal improvisation which reinforced our focus on nurturing creativity, curiosity and student-driven inquiry! The level of student engagement was so high – non one was ready to stop even after 75 minutes of intense learning – that’s because it was so much fun!!! Each child walked away a little bit taller – thank you!”

  • Janis Fitzsimmons, executive director, Urban Education Laboratory and founder, NCC Junior/Senior Scholars Program

“The interactive presentation by the jazz improvisation group Flashpoint was an exciting addition to the closing program of the 2018 S.T.E.A.M./College Connections Summer Camp. The presentation provided an engaging and fun experience for students, staff and parents.”

  • Tomi Johnson, Chairman, DuPage County NAACP Education Committee

“Thank you so much for hosting workshops at the Granada. My students and clients loved it and have talked about it nonstop. They were absolutely thrilled to have the chance to sing on stage with a microphone, and many of them quickly dropped their shyness or hesitancy to speak or sing when encouraged by Janice and her gentle voice. Jack and Janice demonstrated great empathy and care in working with my crew and left them all feeling like competent and confident jazz singers by the end of each session.”

  • Katie Just, Board-Certified Music Therapist, Flint Hills Music

 

Partnership with Little Friends

 

Flashpoint maintains an “Improvisation as Therapy” initiative for students with special needs. Spearheaded by the Rotary Club of Naperville, it was inspired by research about the use of jazz music as a type of therapeutic tool for special needs groups. The launchpad was a 90-minute improvisation workshop that Flashpoint presented for a group of 60 students and staff from Little Friends Center for Autism in Naperville, Illinois, a non-profit organization providing educational programs for youth with autism and other developmental disabilities. 

Flashpoint now works with students on the autism spectrum at Little Friends’ Krejci Academy twice monthly throughout the year. Using voice, drums and piano, Borla and Mouse engage the students in vocal jazz improvisation, teaching them basic melodies and rhythm. The Academy’s staff have observed the positive effects of the sessions on the students: their social engagement is improved, and non-verbal students are receptive to vocal improvisation as a means of expression. At the end of the first year the Little Friends students performed, singing with Janice and with one another on the stage of Wentz Concert Hall for an audience of 400. Little Friends parents and staff attested to the reduced anxiety and increased confidence they demonstrated. 

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“We had hoped that our students would enjoy the experience.  We didn’t expect that an hour session would stretch to nearly 90 minutes, and that students would be raising their hands asking if they could sing and be a part of the rehearsal.  To those of us in the audience watching this unfold, the impact that the music had on our students was incredible.”

  • Mike Briggs, CEO, Little Friends

 
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“Thank you very much for sharing your time and talents with the students at Krejci Academy.  What you have done reaches far beyond teaching our students about jazz and vocal improvisation.  You have allowed our students to gain confidence in expressing themselves and foster socialization skills through peer interaction using music.  For me, this experience has solidified my passion for music education and the powerful effect it has on all students. I look forward to working with you again in the future and making wonderful musical memories together.”

  • Erin Setchell, Music Instructor, Krejci Academy, Little Friends

Interested in a Workshop?

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