Inspired by Frank Lloyd Wright’s philosophy of “learning by doing”, Insight/Onsite for Musicians is for adult professional and college-aged musicians of diverse stylistic backgrounds to nurture composition, improvisation, and creativity in a collaborative setting. Fellows will enjoy individual creative time in the spaces of Frank Lloyd Wright’s beautifully designed Fallingwater, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, as well as in the natural surroundings of the Bear Run Nature Reserve.
There will be morning group sessions led by the faculty team, exploring daily creative challenges for Fellows to engage with each afternoon. Fellows will also get one-on-one sessions with faculty to develop additional repertoire and concepts, and rehearsal time to workshop new material in collaboration with other Fellows.
Evening sharing sessions in Fallingwater’s living room will give fellows a chance to try out new material in preparation for a culminating concert on the final evening, during which music created and developed during the retreat will be premiered publicly in collaborative performances by Fellows and Faculty.
Program Sessions
About the Instructors
Mike Block
Mike Block is a Grammy Award-winning cello player, singer and composer passionate about cross-cultural collaboration through music, and committed to inspiring individuals and connecting communities. Acclaimed by the New York Times for his “vital rich-hued solo playing”, and by Salt Lake City Desert News as “a true artist… a sight to behold”, Mike Block “is one of the bravest, most intriguing musicians on the American fusion scene.” (Gramophone). Mike Block’s solo show offers a rich mixture of classical repertoire, folk music, original compositions and songs that draw inspiration from his diverse collaborations.
Hanneke Cassel
With a career spanning over two decades, Hanneke Cassel has helped redefine what it means to be a modern fiddler. A driving force in the ever-changing landscape of acoustic music, Hanneke blends originality and innovation with the spirit of Scottish traditional fiddle. Fusing musical roots from the Isle of Skye and Cape Breton Island with Americana stylings, Hanneke’s playing has been described by the Boston Globe as “exuberant and rhythmic, somehow wild and innocent, delivered with captivating melodic clarity and an irresistible playfulness.” Beyond the strings of her fiddle, it is Hanneke’s hugely generous presence and passion that round out her magnetism as a performer on the world stage of fiddle music.
Program Sessions
June 9 - June 14, 2025
Inspired by Frank Lloyd Wright’s philosophy of “learning by doing”, Insight/Onsite for Musicians is for adult professional and college-aged musicians of diverse stylistic backgrounds to nurture composition, improvisation, and creativity in a collaborative setting. Fellows will enjoy individual creative time in the spaces of Frank Lloyd Wright’s beautifully designed Fallingwater, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, as well as in the natural surroundings of the Bear Run Nature Reserve.
There will be morning group sessions led by the faculty team, exploring daily creative challenges for Fellows to engage with each afternoon. Fellows will also get one-on-one sessions with faculty to develop additional repertoire and concepts, and rehearsal time to workshop new material in collaboration with other Fellows.
Evening sharing sessions in Fallingwater’s living room will give fellows a chance to try out new material in preparation for a culminating concert on the final evening, during which music created and developed during the retreat will be premiered publicly in collaborative performances by Fellows and Faculty.
Tuition
$1000 per person, plus 6% service fee. Tuition includes lodging, meals, instruction, materials, tours and access to Fallingwater. A limited number of partial, need-based scholarships are available. Please indicate on your application form if you would like to be considered for a scholarship.
FEATURES
- Creative exploration with a cohort of skilled musicians
- Guidance from expert faculty
- Opportunities to rehearse and perform at Fallingwater, an international landmark included on the UNESCO World Heritage List
- Lodging (five nights) at Fallingwater Institute’s High Meadow
- Meals provided
- Opportunities to perform
For more information, contact fallingwaterinstitute@paconserve.org.
Cancellation and Refund Policy
If you cancel your registration for a one-day workshop any time up to 30 days before the day of the program, you will receive a refund minus a $25 processing fee.
If you cancel your registration for a multi-day program (residencies, Insight/Onsite, etc.) any time up to 30 days before the first day of the program, you will receive a refund minus a $50 processing fee and a $150 cancellation fee.
If you cancel less than 30 days before the first day of a Fallingwater Institute program, refunds are not available.