D’jaz-ique improvisation

The Orford Music Academy is proud to present the first edition of the D’jaz-ique Improvisation Workshop.

Open to professional musicians and those on the path to becoming one—whether from classical, jazz, or other musical backgrounds—this workshop welcomes all profiles and invites everyone to explore improvisation in all its forms.

Whatever your experience level, this immersive program, guided by renowned instructors, will allow you to evolve within a musical environment that is free, creative, and spontaneous.

All instruments are welcome!

The program includes exploring the many idioms of jazz, discovering diverse rhythmic traditions, and improvising on contemporary music—both structured and spontaneous.

Over the course of one week, in an exceptional and inspiring natural setting, participants will have the opportunity to play in a variety of ensemble formations under the attentive guidance of experienced faculty.

Master classes led by guest musicians will offer a chance to discover a wide range of approaches and aesthetics, where spontaneity and creative play are at the heart of the experience.

Master classes with guest musicians 

• What is Jazz – Frank Lozano (saxophone) 
• Drums and Percussion – Michel Lambert (drums) 
• Cuban Music – Julian Gutierrez (piano) 
• The Free Voice – Coral Egan (voice) 

Alain Bédard (Double bass and coordinator)
Alain Bédard began his professional career in the 1980s, naturally integrating into various Quebec ensembles of the era. His participation in numerous major events has taken him across the globe, enriching his musical journey with a wealth of diverse experiences. Recipient of the 2025 Opus Award for International Outreach, presented by the Conseil québécois de la musique, and of the 2015 Golden Heron Award from the Festi Jazz International de Rimouski—which recognized his remarkable contribution to the development of Quebec jazz—double bassist and composer Alain Bédard is also the founder and president of Effendi Records.

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Guy Pelletier (flute)
Guy Pelletier’s musical experience is both rich and diverse: soloist, chamber musician, improviser, and composer. Equally at ease in all musical styles, he has performed with numerous contemporary, classical, jazz, rock, and world music ensembles. He has taken part in more than 300 creations and has collaborated as a soloist with renowned composers such as Mauricio Kagel, Pierre Boulez, Franco Donatoni, Jonathan Harvey, and many others.

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Helmut Lipsky (violin and composition)
Helmut Lipsky embodies the ideal of today’s complete musician — an accomplished violinist trained by great masters such as Itzhak Perlman and Ivan Galamian. He has also developed his artistry as an improviser and composer, drawing on diverse musical languages including jazz and world music, and weaving these influences into a distinctive personal voice. Born in Germany, he grew up and studied in Switzerland before moving to New York, where he earned a Master of Music in Violin Performance and received the Presidential Scholar Award from the City of New York for excellence in his academic achievements.

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Yves Léveillé (Piano and composition)
Over the past twenty-five years, composer and pianist Yves Léveillé has established himself as a leading figure on Quebec’s jazz scene. Drawing inspiration from both contemporary and traditional jazz, as well as classical and world music, his aesthetic is distinguished by a refined harmonic language and a lyrical sound that resonates with a wide audience. Léveillé skillfully blends tradition and experimentation, crafting a body of work that is both poetic and profoundly human. He has released nine albums on the Effendi label and one on ATMA Classique with the trio En Trois Couleurs—all warmly received by audiences and critics alike.

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In addition to the what is mentioned above, the workshops also include:

• Chamber music coachings
• Opportunities to participate in one or more student concerts
• Networking activities with fellow musicians and faculty members
• Accommodation in double occupancy and three meals per day
• Practice studios equipped with pianos (available from 7AM to 12AM)
• Housekeeping, laundry (for a fee), parking, and free WiFi
• Free tickets for concerts at Salle Gilles-Lefebvre (subject to availability)
• Opportunity to discover the beautiful landscapes of Parc national du Mont-Orford, the majestic Lake Memphremagog, and the tourist activities of the city of Magog