Jen Shyu is an internationally celebrated and groundbreaking educator in voice, composition, jazz, improvisation, multidisciplinary and intermedia arts, and ethnomusicology. She has taught workshops and lectured throughout the world.
Jen customizes her workshops to the needs of the participants, whether they are advanced professional musicians, dancers, actors, university students, primary schoolers or high schoolers, parents with their children, or non-artists and non-musicians, or a mix of people with all various levels of musical or arts backgrounds.
Her most popular workshops are an "Intensive Ear and Rhythm Training" usually for advanced artists as well as her "You Are Everything: Intermedia Improvisation Workshop," which is usually for non-artists and audience members who want to tap into their creative sides, but is also transformative for advanced artists as well, and is often mixed with both artists and non-artists.
For musicians, these workshops give them new and valuable tools to approach improvisation, songwriting, composition, and/or research, covering all the tools one would need to create a multidisciplinary solo work, for example. The goals of this intermedia workshop are to encourage people to find freedom outside of their comfort zones and to bring people together from all different backgrounds and disciplines, inspiring everyone to fearlessly pursue their passions with the most personal, daring, and innovative approach.
Please contact Jen if you'd like to invite her to lead a workshop or give a lecture / artist talk.
Testimonials
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It took me well beyond my usual performance boundaries and thrust me into a new experiential world. At times uncomfortable and emotionally challenging, the workshop showed me a new path for improvisational performance I had never explored. Be warned: If you throw yourself fully into this workshop it may transform you. An outstanding experience!"- Barry R. Morse, Decatur, IL, USA
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She was delightful and uplifting as an inspirational messenger to the 9th grade Concert Band class to "Be You".... We did some word association poetry writing and then some volunteers sang and gestured as an ensemble. While it was far from our comfort zone, students were charmed by Jen's fearlessness and got into the activity with her as coach and leader....It was a rich experience to have some students want to share their cultural heritage with her after the sessions and be a witness to their "light bulb" moments of inspiration." - Jake Bergevin, Edmonds Woodway High School, Ideas for Jazz Education blog
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There is a serious commitment needed if we want to master something, to walk our path, and Jen generously shared with me how she has been walking on her path, which has been continuously inspiring me, as I discover and walk my own path." –Seshen (Norway/Japan)
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She provided extremely useful exercises to improve my ears and rhythmic sense. Her workshop went beyond the technical into the realm of the creative. She used exercises that forced people out of there comfort zones and see musical improvisation from a new perspective." - Mary, Sydney, Australia
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It was a fresh and unique way of allowing the self to take a chance outside tradition jazz expression. Very personable, and genuinely wants to help: Exciting self discoveries while in attendance! Thank you Jen Shyu, you are a phenomenal teacher and very gifted musician! Many thanks!!!" - Noël Wippler, NY, NY, USA
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She really took my heart. She has so much to share with people, she knows a lot of things about music, song, dance, body and movement. So...the time spent with her is always too fast!!! ;) See you soon Jen!" - Zaira Zingone, Alghero, Italy
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Her precision to rhythmical aspects, respect of culture and heritage and also improvisation makes her workshop into a very special experience! I feel very challenged to develop my artistry and the exercises Jen introduced have impacted me." - Liselotte Östblom, Stockholm, Sweden
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Her music and presence have a gut-punch emotional effect - regardless of language or medium, her art and talent transcends."- J.L., Chevy Chase, Maryland
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Her workshops are a mixture of very high skills and powerful creativity." - Alessia Obino, Bologna, Italy
