2025 Fellows
2024 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. Mike Block will lead morning group sessions, and Fellows will engage with daily creative challenges each afternoon. Fellows will also get 1-on-1 sessions with Mike to develop additional repertoire and concepts, as well as rehearsal time to workshop new material in collaboration with the 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.
Space is limited to 12 Fellows.
Participant Fee: $1,500 (includes lodging, meals, instruction, guided tours, as well as private access to the Fallingwater house and property). Scholarships will be available.
The program begins with lunch on June 1 after morning arrivals, and ends with an evening concert on June 5. Departures are on June 6.
Mike bLock - director
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.
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.
Testimonials
“Taking part in this program was just what I needed at this point in my career and creative journey. Here, I found inspiration, community, and just the right amount of challenge to help me take a step forward in my artistry. ”
“The Creative Music Retreat was an amazing opportunity to create music in a collaborative setting and learn about my own creative process. It pushed me out of my comfort zone in the best way possible, allowing me to discover new ways to look at music. Mike was great in creating a supportive environment with the fellows that made sharing our progress in the evening easy and enjoyable. ”
“Like nothing I have ever experienced from a “music camp”. Yes there was music, lots of it, but the connectivity and sharing was the most important. ”
“Having the opportunity to create music with some really amazing peers at Fallingwater was an amazing experience for me. Mike’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. ”