2024 Fallingwater Fellows
Inspired by Frank Lloyd Wright’s philosophy of “learning by doing,” the Creative Music Retreat at Fallingwater is for professional adults and college-aged musicians of diverse stylistic backgrounds to nurture composition, improvisation, and creativity in a collaborative setting. Fellows will enjoy individual creative time in the spaces of Frank Lloyd Wright’s beautifully designed Fallingwater, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, as well as in the natural surroundings of the Western Pennsylvania Conservancy.
Throughout the retreat, Fellows will have opportunities to pursue creative expression and collaboration with others. Faculty will lead morning group sessions and Fellows will engage with daily creative challenges each afternoon. Fellows will also get 1-on-1 sessions with faculty to develop additional repertoire and concepts, as well as rehearsal time to workshop new material in collaboration with other Fellows. Evening sharing sessions in Fallingwater’s living room will allow Fellows to try out new material in preparation for a culminating concert on the final night, during which music created and developed during the retreat will be premiered publicly in collaborative performances by Fellows and faculty.
Space is limited to 12 Fellows.
Participant Fee: $1,200 (includes lodging, meals, instruction, guided tours, as well as private access to the Fallingwater house and property).
The program begins with lunch on June 9 after morning arrivals, and ends with an evening concert on June 13. Departures are on June 14.
Mike bLock - director/faculty
Mike Block is a multi-style cello player, composer, singer, and educator, with a passion for cross-cultural collaborations. Hailed as “one of the bravest, most intriguing musicians on the American fusion scene.” (Gramophone), he was acclaimed by the New York Times for his "vital rich-hued solo playing”, and “a true artist... a sight to behold” by Salt Lake City Desert News. In addition to solo performances, Mike’s touring bands include Biribá Union, Mike Block Trio, a duo with Indian tabla player Sandeep Das, and a West-African fusion band with Balla Kouyaté. Since 2005, Mike has been a member of the Silk Road Ensemble, founded by Yo-Yo Ma, with which he earned a 2017 Grammy® Award.
Hanneke Cassel - faculty
With a career spanning over two decades, Hanneke Cassel has helped redefine what it means to be a modern fiddler. A driving force in the ever-changing landscape of acoustic music, Hanneke blends originality and innovation with the spirit of Scottish traditional fiddle. Fusing musical roots from the Isle of Skye and Cape Breton Island with Americana stylings, Hanneke’s playing has been described by the Boston Globe as “exuberant and rhythmic, somehow wild and innocent, delivered with captivating melodic clarity and an irresistible playfulness.” Beyond the strings of her fiddle, it is Hanneke’s hugely generous presence and passion that round out her magnetism as a performer on the world stage of fiddle music.
Our culminating “Works in Progress” concert is a semi-public performance in the historic Living Room at Fallingwater, and will feature all compositions that were composed/developed during the week.
Highlights from our 2024 Works in Progress Culminating Concert:
Testimonials
“Having the opportunity to create music with some really amazing peers at Fallingwater was an amazing experience for me. Mike and Hanneke’s direction, encouragement, and support was so helpful to me, and this experience made me realize that I am a more creative, collaborative, and capable musician than I could ever know. I am excited to take the knowledge and confidence I gained during this week into my life to continue to develop my personal voice. ”
“I walk away having done things I wouldn’t have imagined before I arrived. ”
“A transformational and regenerative week! This was a unique, retreat-like experience with talented, open-hearted and generous teachers and fellow students, in a setting that inspires peaceful creativity. This would be a great week even if it weren’t at Fallingwater, but the chance to spend extended time in the house creating new music and sharing ideas made it really extraordinary. ”