Artist-in-residence offers jazz improv workshop for string teachers

Oakland University Department of Music, Theatre and Dance artist-in-residence Regina Carter will offer a unique musical experience for string teachers in October.
 
 A Grammy nominee and a 2006 recipient of the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation Fellowship, Ms. Carter earned her bachelor’s degree in music from OU in 1985. She is well known as an innovative musician and Oakland University is proud to have been part of her music education more than two decades ago. A native Detroiter, she studied at the Center for Creative Studies and the New England Conservatory of Music before transferring to Oakland because she wanted to play jazz on the traditionally classical violin.

 On Saturday, October 4, Ms. Carter will offer a workshop in improvisation specifically designed for string teachers. She plans to “meet the teachers where they are” experientially and show them how to enable their students to learn to improvise at their own level of comfort and expertise. No previous experience with jazz violin or improvisation is necessary. This workshop is offered free of charge and co-sponsored by Oakland University and the Michigan Chapter of the American String Teachers Association. String teachers who would like more information or to register may contact Dr. Joe Shively at 248-370-2287 or shively@oakland.edu.
 
Teachers who participate in the workshop will receive discount ticket vouchers for a Friday, October 3 concert featuring Regina Carter, OU pianist Yin Zheng and OU world music percussionist Mark Stone.