We are pleased to invite you to a new series of METRIC Online Sessions: a set of free online events created as a shared space for inspiration, exchange, and critical reflection on the evolving role of improvisation in higher music education and contemporary artistic practice.
METRIC (Modernizing European Higher Music Education through Improvisation) is a collaborative network of leading European conservatoires and the AEC – Association of European Conservatoires. The initiative aims to advance and modernise higher music education through intensive international cooperation, with a particular focus on improvisation.
As part of this initiative, METRIC is hosting a series of online sessions led by experts from its partner institutions. Following the first sessions earlier this year, we are pleased to announce the upcoming events:
Milana Zarić
Date: 23 April 2026, 17:00 CET
Title: Collaborative Music Creation
Session overview:
This session introduces Collaborative Music Creation (CMC), an interdepartmental course at the Royal Conservatoire in The Hague. The course brings together creation and performance, exploring new approaches to ensemble culture at the intersection of improvisation and composition.
Register here:
https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/_XZmx9AkTNGnvp98ZeA4KA
Pedro González Fernández
Date: Monday, 11 May 2026, 17:00 CET
Title: creativematch.org: Structured Online Encounters for Artistic Collaboration
Session overview:
This session presents creativematch.org, a browser-based platform developed at ESMUC, designed to foster collaboration between art students from different institutions through short, structured online encounters. Using intermedial improvisation as its main mode of exchange, the platform functions as a kind of speed-dating system for artistic and academic collaboration.
The session will also introduce the research framework behind the project. Drawing on pilot studies carried out at ESMUC in 2025, the presentation will share initial findings on participant experiences, and the role of protocol-based interaction in generating meaningful artistic exchange.
In the second part of the session, participants will be invited to try out a creativematch.org protocol themselves, taking part in a guided interactive experience based on the project’s approach. As the platform is still in development, the session is also an invitation to exchange ideas, imagine possible directions, and connect with people who may be interested in contributing to its future development as collaborators, partners, or future users.
Corinna Eikmeier et al.
Date: Wednesday, 27 May 2026, 17:00 CET
Title: Facilitating Musical Improvisation in Teacher Education: Findings from the Erasmus+ Project “Everyone Can Improvise”
Speakers:
- Prof. Dr. Corinna Eikmeier (University of Music Lübeck)
- Prof. Dr. Andrea Welte (University of Music, Drama and Media Hannover)
- Nazfar Hadji (University of Music, Drama and Media Hannover)
- Prof. Dr. Jan Jachmann (University of Music and Performing Arts Graz)
Session overview:
Musical improvisation is gaining increasing attention both as a research field and as a key component of music education. It is widely recognised as a powerful tool for fostering creativity, communication, inclusion, and participation across diverse learning environments.
This session addresses key questions for teacher education:
- How can educators be prepared to facilitate inclusive improvisation?
- What skills and knowledge are required to work with diverse groups of learners?
- How can these competencies be effectively taught in higher education?
The discussion draws on the Erasmus+ project “Everyone Can Improvise”, a collaboration between institutions in Graz, Hannover, Lübeck, and Zagreb. The project focuses on training music students and teachers to lead inclusive improvisation practices with socially diverse groups.
Register here:
https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/x6phfdvIRA-Hgrk_ElH2qQ
Diego Kohn
Date: Friday, 19 June 2026, 17:00 CET
Title: Improvisation as Critical Practice in Higher Music Education
Session overview:
This session explores improvisation as a critical and ethical practice within higher music education, linking pedagogical values with practical, ensemble-based examples.
Register here:
https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/RSyZoaZvQBuHlqu0k6yf4Q
All sessions are free and open to the public.
We warmly invite educators, students, and practitioners to join us in this ongoing conversation on the future of improvisation in music education.
