Music for People

06/08/2026

Balancing Our Creativity, Part 1: Yin Energy… Heh! Heh!
By David Darling

Balancing our Creativity, a series written by David Darling, has him thinking aloud about some of MfP’s original, core ‘mantras.’ This week… “Heh heh heh.” That is us laughing at ourselves, and it represents the YIN, the internal, heart-focused part of how we show up. In another blog post, we’ll look at the YANG: Yay! Energy. Both of these appeared in the Fall/Winter 2004 edition of Connections.

Balancing Our Creativity: Using Yin Energy to Create Soundings of the Heart

06/06/2026

Improv Jam at the Village Zendo in NYC
Offered this month in collaboration with Make Music NY! (https://makemusicny.org/)

Sunday, June 21st, 2026 from 4-6PM

260 W Broadway (Enter on St. John's Lane)
New York, NY 10013

Facilitated by Todd Rogers

https://musicforpeople.org/music-improv-event/improv-jam-at-the-village-zendo-2/

06/05/2026

Inspiration and Delight: How to Play a Paper Bag

Here at Music for People, we invite ALL the instruments. Sometimes we think that it has to be a ‘real’ instrument for it to matter. We are here to say that it is not true. At all.

Witness, the humble paper bag. Whether sandwich size, party favor size, or big enough to carry a few egg shakers, the paper bag is, dare we say, a legitimate instrument.

Here at Music for People, we invite ALL the instruments. Sometimes we think that it has to be a ‘real’ instrument in order for it to matter. We are here to say that is not ...

06/04/2026

Music for People is back at the Omega Institute in Rhinebeck, New York, from September 13th - 18th, 2026

Music for People celebrates 40 years of joyful improvisation, nurturing creativity, mindfulness, and authentic connection through spontaneous, community-based music-making.

Join us for a vibrant week of musical exploration where everyone is welcome, and every sound belongs. Whether you are an experienced musician or someone who loves music but has never studied it formally, this workshop invites you into a supportive community where creativity can flourish.

Improvisation becomes both a musical practice and a metaphor for life—learning to listen deeply, respond with courage, trust intuition, and co-create something larger than ourselves.

Learn more about what to expect, registration, and OMEGA accommodation fees. We look forward to a week of Music, Connection, and Creative Freedom with you!

Registration details: https://musicforpeople.org/events-music-improvisation-workshops/music-for-everyone-omega-institute/

Facilitated by Mary E. Knysh and David Rudge

Music for Everyone at the Omega Institute A Week of Music, Connection, and Creative Freedom Music for People celebrates 40 years of joyful improvisation, nurturing creativity, mindfulness, and authentic connection through spontaneous, community-based music-making. Join us ...

06/03/2026

Inspiration and Delight: Honoring Cris Dersken

Meet Indigenous cellist and composer Cris Dersken. Genre-defying, world-opening, trailblazer.

Indigenous cellist and composer. Genre-defying, world opening, trail blazer. As a child, Cris Derksen wanted to play flute, then sax, then double bass. She played piano and clarinet at a performing arts high school in ...

06/03/2026

Remember to register for AOI 2026 at Hamilton College, Clinton, NY!! Early bird registration is officially OPEN!!

AOI Dates: July 26th - July 31st in 2026

Questions regarding the program, meal plans, housing options (campus dormitories with A/C vs not), arrival and departure options if you wish to come a day early or leave a day later, transportation options, off-campus accommodations, and more. Questions can be sent directly to the MFP office.

email: [email protected]

voicemail: +1 (860) 491-3763

Registration link: https://tinyurl.com/AOI-ClintonNY2026

06/02/2026

The month of June celebrates the squeezebox (a.k.a accordion) in all its glory! We'd love to know which songs you recommend that feature the accordion. Happy music trails!

https://musicforpeople.org/

06/02/2026

A quick reminder for those who live near Wyndmoor, Pennsylvania... every Tuesday and Thursday evening, you can create improv music!!

Inspired by David Darling / Music For People, Music In The Moment Community Gathering's are a WEEKLY ONGOING experience that happen every Tuesday and Thursday from 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM.

Visit the provided link to learn more!
https://musicforpeople.org/music-improv-event/music-in-the-moment-community-gathering/2026-06-02/

05/24/2026

Music for People is back at the Omega Institute in Rhinebeck, New York, from September 13th - 18th, 2026

Music for People celebrates 40 years of joyful improvisation, nurturing creativity, mindfulness, and authentic connection through spontaneous, community-based music-making.

Join us for a vibrant week of musical exploration where everyone is welcome and every sound belongs. Whether you are an experienced musician or someone who simply loves music but has never studied it formally, this workshop invites you into a supportive community where creativity can flourish.

Improvisation becomes both a musical practice and a metaphor for life—learning to listen deeply, respond with courage, trust intuition, and co-create something larger than ourselves.

Learn more about what to expect, registration and OMEGA accommodation fees. We look forward to a week of Music, Connection, and Creative Freedom with you!

Registration details: https://musicforpeople.org/events-music-improvisation-workshops/music-for-everyone-omega-institute/

Facilitated by Mary E. Knysh and David Rudge

Music for Everyone at the Omega Institute A Week of Music, Connection, and Creative Freedom Music for People celebrates 40 years of joyful improvisation, nurturing creativity, mindfulness, and authentic connection through spontaneous, community-based music-making. Join us ...

05/23/2026

May is International Drum Month!!

We invite you to explore musical patterns, rhythms, tempos and much more through various percussion instruments! Drumming is an excellent way to improve physical and mental health, provide a safe space for social gatherings, self expression, and having fun!!

We'd love to know how you plan to celebrate International Drum Month. We'd love to know :)

https://musicforpeople.org/