Intro to Musical Improv One-Day Intensive
Saturday, Oct 3, 2026 @ 10:00 AM EDT • $130.07 (includes fees)
Description
Registration opens Friday, September 11th at 7:00am!
Are you an improviser who wants to expand your skills into the exciting world of musical improv?
Are you longing for more exciting ways to heighten your emotional point of view in a scene?
Do you like creating impressive theatrical moments as part of a team?
If you answered yes to any of the questions above, join us for the Intro to Musical Improv One-Day Intensive! We'll explore musical improv from the ground up in a fun and positive environment where every student feels safe taking risks and trying something new. This one-day intensive workshop will give you the foundational skills of musical improv, including building scenes into songs, setting up and paying off your rhymes, and playing with Chorus and Tagline song structures. No matter what your previous musical experience is, you can do musical improv!
Are you an improviser who wants to expand your skills into the exciting world of musical improv?
Are you longing for more exciting ways to heighten your emotional point of view in a scene?
Do you like creating impressive theatrical moments as part of a team?
If you answered yes to any of the questions above, join us for the Intro to Musical Improv One-Day Intensive! We'll explore musical improv from the ground up in a fun and positive environment where every student feels safe taking risks and trying something new. This one-day intensive workshop will give you the foundational skills of musical improv, including building scenes into songs, setting up and paying off your rhymes, and playing with Chorus and Tagline song structures. No matter what your previous musical experience is, you can do musical improv!
In the Intro to Musical Improv Intensive, you'll get most of the core exercises from our regular Intro to Musical Improv weekly class in one concentrated dose. After completing this intensive, you will be eligible to take advanced musical improv workshops, which are usually taught on the first Saturday of every month (the same day as The Understudies show!)
There will be a 45 minute lunch break. You can bring your lunch or grab something quick nearby.
There will be a 45 minute lunch break. You can bring your lunch or grab something quick nearby.
Prerequisite: Completion of Improv 4
Quotes from student feedback for Intro to Musical Improv:
"I loved this class so much! Scott and Josh worked smoothly as a team to provide instruction and musical accompaniment while we participants practiced and learned how to express emotion in song in a variety of musical improv structures. So much fun!!!"
"I didn’t know what to expect and a little scared because I hadn’t done musical improv before, but Scott made the environment low key and eased us into singing in scenes in a way that felt totally doable and fun!"
About your teacher: Scott Braidman is Managing and Artistic Director of Happier Valley Comedy. Scott started improvising in 2002 with Mission: Improvable at UMass Amherst, and since then he has studied and performed at The iO Theater and One Group Mind in Chicago, The UCB Theatre and Magnet Theater in New York City, and ImprovBoston and Improv Asylum in Boston. Scott produces and directs all of Happier Valley Comedy's Mainstage shows as well as teaching advanced and musical improv classes and performing in many improvised shows, the most immersive of which is called "Being A Dad." He gets a little better at it each day.
About your accompanist: Josh Hornick was one of those kids who—when his friends all stopped playing the piano at 13—kept on playing. . . and boy are his fingers tired. He has musically directed (mostly youth productions) of Grease, Godspell, She Loves Me, You’re a Good Man Charlie Brown, Hello Dolly, The Pajama Game, Head Over Heels, Something Rotten, Once Upon a Mattress, Little Me, Fiddler on the Roof, Oliver, Finian’s Rainbow, Oklahoma, The Desert Song, Bye Bye Birdie, and The Aristocats. . . and boy are his fingers tired. He is the proud holder of a Certificate of Awesomesauce from Happier Valley Comedy where he musically directs The Overtones and One Night Only. In his day job, he helps teams to collaborate better and trains life coaches. He lives in Amherst with his beloved wife, Jenny, son, Liam, and dog, Suki.
About your teacher: Scott Braidman is Managing and Artistic Director of Happier Valley Comedy. Scott started improvising in 2002 with Mission: Improvable at UMass Amherst, and since then he has studied and performed at The iO Theater and One Group Mind in Chicago, The UCB Theatre and Magnet Theater in New York City, and ImprovBoston and Improv Asylum in Boston. Scott produces and directs all of Happier Valley Comedy's Mainstage shows as well as teaching advanced and musical improv classes and performing in many improvised shows, the most immersive of which is called "Being A Dad." He gets a little better at it each day.
About your accompanist: Josh Hornick was one of those kids who—when his friends all stopped playing the piano at 13—kept on playing. . . and boy are his fingers tired. He has musically directed (mostly youth productions) of Grease, Godspell, She Loves Me, You’re a Good Man Charlie Brown, Hello Dolly, The Pajama Game, Head Over Heels, Something Rotten, Once Upon a Mattress, Little Me, Fiddler on the Roof, Oliver, Finian’s Rainbow, Oklahoma, The Desert Song, Bye Bye Birdie, and The Aristocats. . . and boy are his fingers tired. He is the proud holder of a Certificate of Awesomesauce from Happier Valley Comedy where he musically directs The Overtones and One Night Only. In his day job, he helps teams to collaborate better and trains life coaches. He lives in Amherst with his beloved wife, Jenny, son, Liam, and dog, Suki.
- Students must be 18+ years. (In actual years, not maturity.)
- Please note that once you make your purchase, your spot in the class is non-refundable unless we have 48 hours notice and we can get someone to fill your spot.
- Our classes may involve physical activity and we could be on our feet for at least an hour; however, we're able to accommodate for all physical abilities. Please email us to let us know how we can best fit your needs or if you have any questions about accommodations.
- Do you need help affording your next class or workshop? Check out The Fun Fund and email Scott ahead of time if you'd like to make a request!
NOTICE OF NONDISCRIMINATION POLICY AS TO STUDENTS
The Happier Valley Comedy School admits students of any race, color, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, religious affiliation, age, ability, national and ethnic origin to all the rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the school. It does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, religious affiliation, age, ability, national and ethnic origin in administration of its educational policies, admissions policies, scholarship and loan programs, and other school-administered programs.
Location
1 Mill Valley Rd, Hadley, MA 01035, MA
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