08/17/2026
Free class for Fleisher members. (Joining is very affordable). Multi-disciplinary improvisational sign language led by Sam Day Harmet.
Sign up Link in bio
In this four-week class, we will explore Soundpainting, an interdisciplinary composing sign language created by Walter Thompson. Originally developed as a way to shape large ensemble improvised music groups in New York’s downtown scene, Soundpainting has gradually grown into a large and internationally used system of hand signs for creating spontaneous compositions with musicians, actors, dancers, and visual artists. In this workshop, we will learn basic signs to construct layered compositions in real time using the improvisational offerings from the ensemble as our building blocks. Our approach will be hands-on, practical, and flexible, and all participants will act as both performers and composers/Soundpainters.
For this class the instructor is hoping to curate a group of students with a variety of roles--after registering students should complete this Google Form to indicate if you are a musician, actor, dancer, or visual artist.
Special Notes
This is an in-person class. Please review our Safety Policies and Community Guidelines.
Required Supplies
All supplies are included.
Instructor
Sam Harmet
Sam Day Harmet is a multi-instrumentalist, composer, improviser, producer, and educator based in Brooklyn, NY. A musician of diverse tastes, Sam's projects range from deconstructive folk and jazz, to free improvisation, to left field electronic music, to Soundpainting and beyond. He has performed in Soundpainting groups with Walter Thompson for over 15 years in the US, UK, France, and Spain. His own Sam Day Harmet Soundpainting Collective frequently performs in experimental arts spaces around New York.
http://soundpainting.org
