Composition, Creativity and Improv Retreat

(July 14-27, 2025)

FREE YOUR MIND. UNLEASH YOUR CREATIVITY.

MORE ON THE PROGRAM HERE

Award-winning composer and cellist Margaret Maria, came to composing in a unique and unorthodox way.

Join a group of peer musicians, composers, and avid creators, for a one-of-a-kind inspirational retreat. Set amid the stunning backdrop of the medieval town of Breno, Margaret Maria’s unique approach will guide you on a creative journey of exploration, contemplation, unlimited ‘seeds of creativity’, and ultimately pushing beyond your perceived boundaries into the expansive depths of your creativity.

Through daily non-judgemental, guided creative activities and free form spontaneous improv sessions, this individualized, highly tailored program will free your mind and unleash your full artistic and creative potential.

”"Margaret creates a very open atmosphere that is nurturing to creative music projects, and helps to embrace and use the vulnerable state you can be in when doing art." -Hedvig Lunderquist BIIMA 2023

“

‘We are creators and we constantly and consistently make the impossible possible.
We wholly embrace the idea of ‘I don’t know’, confident that we will find a way to express the unknown, that which sits just beyond the edge of our thoughts.’

Margaret Maria
“

‘As much as we do know, we also have an equal amount or even more of untapped potential within us. Searching for what comes next will become natural and second nature to you.’

Margaret Maria
“

‘We gather here to expand into our creativity. The world needs your artistry. The world needs to hear your voice. The world needs your freedom and trust in you being able to follow your inner voice. Your creative life force brings new energy into this world. As we change and grow and expand, we bring new energy and positive waves into existence. These waves connect us, or make connections from the past, into the future.’

Margaret Maria
HEAR WHAT YOU SEE IN YOUR MUSICAL OFFERINGS.

One-of-a-kind Method of Teaching.

BIIMA's retreat will help you unleash your genius by simultaneously exploring and developing your:

Creation:
Journey into the heart of what it means to be creative, finding your source, and uncovering entry points into your own creative process through workshops, meditations, improvisations, guided creative activities and moments of spontaneous creative practices. You’ll explore how to put these pieces together and produce your own work.

Composition:
Fine-tune your ear and discover sounds of all kinds. Learn how to compose around these sounds and broaden your artistic consciousness.

Improvisation:
Learn how to listen and think on your feet. You'll expand your proficiency with free improvisation and enjoy a practice rooted in liberation. You'll also learn how to expand on an idea or theme. You'll be given the tools to refine these skills on your own.

Performance: (Optional)
Opportunities for showcasing your work include accompanying the group body warm-up classes
for the singers and pianists intensive masterclass in improv fashion and a final concert at the end of the program.

TO EXPLORE MARGARET MARIA'S COMPOSITIONS, PLEASE CHECK:
MargaretMariaMusic.com
MORE VIDEOS
JOIN US IN 2025!

Registration information coming soon!

Register Today

*This program is highly experimental, without genre and non- judgemental. It will be highly custom tailored to the group attending.

*Our participants will have the choice of double or single occupancy at either the Hostel Ostello di valle camonica OR The academy Arte e Vita.
**FEES ARE NON-REFUNDABLE

Tuition fee: $3900 CAD: includes room and board and all training *excludes excursion, flight fees and single occupancy upgrades

We are extremely grateful to Ms. Marg Campbell for her generosity which made a scholarship available to Composition student Eliot Generoux!

BIIMA Faculty