New York in Paris 2027 – Professional Workshop in Collective Improvisation and Instant Composition

From April 5 to 10, 2027, at IMEP (Paris), Real Time Music is organizing an intensive workshop for professional and emerging musicians, led by Ralph Alessi, Michael Attias, Michael Formanek, and Kate Gentile, among the most innovative musicians on the New York scene.

This program combines practical workshops, masterclasses (Myra Melford, Walter Thompson, the Makouaya brothers, Guillaume Orti), and a public performance.

Call for Applications – Professional Improvisation Workshop

NEW YORK IN PARIS

Ralph Alessi, Michael Attias, Michael Formanek, and Kate Gentile

Organizer: Real Time Music – Training Organization (NDA: 11756389675)

Dates: April 5-10, 2027

General information about the training

Training title: New York in Paris – Developing skills in collective improvisation and instant composition.

Target audience:

• Professional musicians (instrumentalists, singers) or those in the process of becoming professional

Prerequisites:

Experience in improvisation, supported by a resume and recordings.

Number of places:

Maximum 30 trainees.

Duration and hours:

• 6 days (April 5-10, 2027).
• 35 hours of training (7 hours per day, including workshops, masterclasses, and feedback sessions).

Location:

IMEP – Paris College of Music
7 rue Émile Dubois, 75014 Paris
(Accessible to people with reduced mobility)

Learning Objectives:

1.Improve improvisation skills by developing active listening, responsiveness, and creativity.
2.Acquire methodological tools for structuring improvisation (harmony, rhythm, interaction).
3.Expand personal musical vocabulary and develop new playing techniques.
4.Strengthen ensemble playing skills.
5.Build confidence as an instrumentalist.
6.Understand the stylistic approaches of the instructors.
7.Present the work in a public concert, evaluating individual and group progress.

Methods used:

1.Practical workshops in small groups, led by members of the teaching team.
2.Thematic masterclasses.
3.Group analysis and individual feedback.
4.Collaborative work to prepare the final performance.
5.Exchanges and discussions on creative processes and stylistic approaches.
6.Public performance (assessment of acquired skills).

Teaching team:

• Ralph Alessi (trumpet)
• Michael Attias (saxophone)
• Michael Formanek (basse)
• Kate Gentile (drum)

Educational coordination:
Xavier Bornens (Head of Training, Real Time Music)

Masterclass:

The workshop includes 4 masterclasses led by renowned artists, offering a diversity of approaches and styles:

• Myra Melford : Improvisation in composition.
• Walter Thompson : Creator of Soundpainting. Soundpainting techniques and collective direction.
• Les frères Makouaya : Improvisation in traditional Congolese music.
• Guillaume Orti : A personal approach to polyrhythm.

These masterclasses are educational resources, allowing participants to explore new working methods and to draw inspiration from the artistic approaches of the speakers.

Admission requirements:

To apply, please complete the online registration form (REGISTRATION button below) and upload the following documents:

1. Artistic CV (background, improvisation experience, projects) – PDF format only.
2. Two recordings (MP3 or WAV, maximum size: 10 MB per file) showcasing your improvisation work.
3. Cover letter (maximum 1 page) – PDF format only, explaining your expectations and your professional project.

Application deadline: February 15, 2027

Selection criteria:

• Artistic quality of the recordings.
• Suitability of the profile with the objectives of the internship.
• Diversification of instruments to balance the groups.

Response to candidates: Within 15 days after the deadline, by email.

Fees and funding options

As our training organization is Qualiopi certified, your participation in the professional improvisation workshop is eligible for financial support.

• Professional rate (€1,500): This tuition fee applies when covered by professional training funds. You can apply through your OPCO, AFDAS (applications must be submitted no later than 30 days before the workshop begins), or Adami via the “Parcours Artiste” grant (a selective aid for artists who have accumulated fewer than 48 performance fees over the last two years).

• Personal rate (€800): A reduced rate is applied if you are self-funding your participation.

Once your application is accepted, we will support you in putting together your funding request by providing all the necessary documents (quote, detailed program, training contract)[cite: 4, 10].

For more information on all available funding schemes and eligibility details, please visit our dedicated page: https://realtimemusic.fr/formations-professionnelles/financements-formations/

For any questions regarding funding options, please contact us at contact@realtimemusic.fr.

Fees for International Participants:

• 1500€ if you have access to a grant, scholarship, or other funding source in your country to cover the cost.
• 800€ for self-funded participants.

Please contact us for any documents you may need to support your funding application or for further details.

Accommodation and meals: At the participant’s expense.

Accessibility:
The training center (IMEP) is accessible to people with disabilities.
Xavier Bornens, disability liaison for Real Time Music, is available to assist you with any requests for accommodations.
Contact : contact@realtimemusic.fr

Cancelation :
The workshop will be cancelled if the minimum number of 15 participants is not reached. Fees will be fully refunded in the event of cancellation by the organizer.

Evaluation methods:

• Continuous assessment: Observations from participants during workshops and individualized feedback.
• Final assessment: Performance concert (assessment of acquired skills).
• Training certificate: Issued at the end of the training course, specifying the objectives achieved and the number of hours.

Contacts and applications:

To apply, complete the online registration form by clicking the “registration” button below and upload the required documents in the designated fields.

For any questions:
Xavier Bornens
contact@realtimemusic.fr
06 09 56 66 69