Wilfrid Laurier University

Waterloo, Ontario, Canada

Improvisation – Exploring the Art & Science of Clinical Practice

The conference will explore past and present research on clinical improvisation and create a community of innovation and collaboration. Integrating the science and art of clinical practice is a debate that has been central to the development of music therapy and is a subject that has caused much controversy. Improvisation as clinical practise is at the interface of this questioning. This conference aims to bring together improvisation researchers and practitioners, to facilitate discourse, and encourage connections. A unique aspect of this conference is that delegates will present a 60 min paper followed by a 45 min discussion. This format has been central to previous conferences and allows for rich discourse and active participation. Highlights of the conference will include a concert of compositions by Paul Nordoff, Inauguration of the Music Therapy Improvisation Collective, and a Clinical Improvisational Workshop with the Penderecki String Quartet.