• 30 hours of online instructional time with group classes, guest presentations, private lessons, and read-through sessions. (Three 45-minute lessons with different CLF instructors are included. Additional lessons can be scheduled for a discounted rate.)

• Live and video premiere performances of final duo piece for cimbalom and harp scheduled throughout 2025.

• Access to a library of invaluable instructional videos, recordings, and documents.

• Composers will be considered for publishing, multiple performances with Ataraxia, and future commissions.

• A limited number of partial scholarships are available for students.

Important Dates & Session Schedule (Virtual Instruction Weekends will involve one session each day for 3 hrs. Final schedule will be sent to participants once we hear from composers about potential conflicts.)

• September 18: Registration deadline

• Sept. 28-29: Virtual Instruction Weekend 1 – Introductions, performance by Ataraxia Duo, and sessions on the “Nuts and bolts of writing for cimbalom and harp.” Assigned to write a solo etude (approx. 30 seconds in length) for each instrument on skills learned in first weekend.

• Oct. 11 and 13: Virtual Instruction Weekend 2 – Reviewing repertoire, specific technical concerns of playing the instrument, extended techniques, etc. Assigned to write a 2nd solo etude for each instrument on skills learned.

• Oct. 26-27: Virtual Instruction Weekend 3 – Solo etudes due, read-throughs/talk-throughs of etude and piece material, and presentations by Jenni Brandon on commissions/contracting/composer music biz.

• Oct. 16-Nov. 13: Private lessons and coachings scheduled individually with Jenni, Bjorn, Matthew, or Jennifer (Virtual lessons held over Zoom. Three 45-minute lessons with different CLF instructors are included. Additional lessons can be scheduled for a discounted rate.)

• Nov. 23-24: Virtual Instruction Weekend 4/Wrap-up weekend with final group sessions, read-throughs of new pieces, and career development presentations

• December: Finishing up private lessons and final touches on new duo piece

• January 15, 2025: Final version (parts and score) due for new duo piece written for concert cimbalom (C2-A6) and concert harp, approx. 4-6 minutes.

• 2025: The Ataraxia Duo will plan to premiere the new works in live performances or through video releases. More information to come. Ataraxia will make every attempt to premiere all the new works at one event in Minneapolis or Chicago. TBA.

LabFest Tuition: $750 + $50 non-refundable registration fee

• Registration fee (and form due by Sept. 18) and 50% of the tuition (due Sept. 23) must be paid to consider your spot reserved. A payment plan for the remaining 50% can be worked out. Please reach out to Matthew. (All tuition is due by Oct. 23.)

• Cancellation: A request must be received by Sept. 23 to ensure the return of your 50% tuition deposit (less website/processing fees). The $50 registration fee is non-refundable.

Group presentation/Career development topics to include:

• The Independent Composer

• Contracts and Commissions

• Grant Writing and Nonprofit Administration

• Developing a Collaborative Project

• Score Preparation

• and more!