The UNB Music Conservatory has created entirely new online workshops and adapted previous workshops to fit an online delivery model.
Mark Kleyn, Conservatory Coordinator, explains that while being in-person is always better, it has been a seamless transition online.
The Conservatory had to drop some courses that did not work well online, but they have been able to expand their offerings in the online model.
Open to the public, individuals can learn about and enroll in Jazz Theory, Music Production, Movement for Musicians, Songwriting, and Performance Anxiety. The first three listed are brand-new online courses.
“One nice thing is we can bring lots of different tech to the online sessions. This has been especially great for the music production workshop,” says Kleyn.
Kleyn is especially excited about the movement for musicians course. An instructor with a PhD in human kinetics is teaching the Feldenkrais method of low impact movements focusing on breathing and awareness. It helps musicians relax and release tension when rehearsing and performing.
It is similar to yoga but with a focus on musical performance.
Similar to the movement for musicians course, the performance anxiety course helps musicians cope with stage fright. By learning new techniques, performers can approach the stage with confidence.
The courses will begin after the March reading week with one hour sessions on weekday evenings over four weeks.
“Some experience is beneficial for these courses, but by no means do you need a degree in music to benefit,” says Kleyn. “Jazz theory, we recommend some understanding of music theory, but songwriting you just need to play an instrument.”
Everything will be live, and there is the opportunity to interact with other participants and the instructor during the workshops.
Kleyn is excited for the new slate of courses and anticipates keeping some online moving into the future, although his fingers are crossed that in-person instruction can resume in the fall.