2025 HarpSparks Virtual Retreat: The Neuroscience of Practicing
A virtual retreat weekend of interactive workshops and discussions on the power of your brain in the practice room!
Select date and time
Location
Online
Refund Policy
Agenda
10:00 AM - 11:30 AM
What Musicians Can Learn About Practicing from Current Brain Research
1:00 PM - 3:00 PM
Interactive Workshop: Interleaved Practice
About this event
May 24-25, 2025
Join HarpSparks and guest speaker Dr. Molly Gebrian for a weekend of interactive learning on the neuroscience of practicing! Whether you are a novice or professional musician, student or teacher, parent of a musician, vocalist or instrumentalist, you will emerge from this weekend with science-grounded strategies to improve your time in the practice room.
For details on each of the four events, please refer to the agenda or visit us at https://www.harpsparks.ca/2025-virtual-retreat
More about our guest speaker...
Dr. Molly Gebrian will join us virtually from the New England Conservatory of Music, where she teaches courses on practicing. Her book on this subject - Learn Faster, Perform Better: A Musician's Guide to the Neuroscience of Practicing - was published in 2024 by Oxford University Press.
Frequently asked questions
HarpSparks is a creative project founded in 2024 by Ottawa harpist Michelle Gott. It encompasses a biannual festival, workshops, and virtual offerings, intended to push the boundaries of multidisciplinary innovation, sonic exploration, and education.
This retreat is geared towards musicians of all levels, teachers (instrumental and vocal), and anyone interested in the neuroscience of learning music. You will emerge from this retreat with fresh insight on how to maximize practice time, whether for yourself, with students, or with your children.
This is an all-virtual retreat that will be held on Zoom. You are free to join from anywhere in the world!
You can register for the full retreat (four events) for $100 (CAD)! Or you can sign up for single events at $30 per session.
Dr. Molly Gebrian holds degrees in both music and neuroscience from Oberlin College and Conservatory, New England Conservatory of Music, and Rice University. She currently teaches courses on practicing at the New England Conservatory. Her work was published last year by Oxford University Press.
Check out her book: Learn Faster, Perform Better: A Musician’s Guide to the Neuroscience of Practicing
In a traditional masterclass, students present polished pieces and receive feedback from a master teacher. For the anti-masterclass, the focus is the opposite! Participants are asked to bring a piece that is causing roadblocks. Dr. Gebrian will help diagnose the issues and offer science-based tips.
We are looking for four (4) participants to perform at the Anti-Masterclass on May 25th. This opportunity is open to all instruments or voice types, ages, and levels. Please email us at [email protected] for more details!